Macquarie International Research Training Program Scholarship 2027 in Australia | Fully Funded — Macquarie University
⚠️ This scholarship's deadline has passed and it's no longer accepting applications.
Macquarie University runs its international PhD funding through a single combined scholarship round, meaning one application can put a candidate in contention for more than one funding scheme at once, which simplifies what could otherwise be a confusing process for applicants juggling multiple forms.
About the Scholarship
The Macquarie International Research Training Program Scholarship, or iRTP, is the Australian Government’s Research Training Program scheme applied to international graduate research students at Macquarie University. It provides a full tuition fee waiver for up to three years and an annual living stipend, with applicants to the iRTP automatically also considered for the university’s own International Macquarie Research Excellence Scholarship Program in the same round.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition fee waiver for up to three years of full-time research study
- An annual living stipend of approximately AUD 38,000, based on the 2026 rate, subject to indexation
- Automatic consideration for the university-funded International Macquarie Research Excellence Scholarship Program in the same application round
- Additional benefits that may include Overseas Student Health Cover or visa application cost support, depending on the specific award
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an international student applying for a PhD or research master’s degree at Macquarie University
- Must meet Macquarie’s standard academic entry requirements for the chosen research degree and discipline
- Must have an identified or proposed supervisor and a research proposal aligned with that supervisor’s expertise
- Must meet English-language proficiency requirements for international applicants
- Must apply within the published international scholarship round, with a deadline of 31 October 2026 for 2027 entry
Fields of Study Covered
The scholarship covers research across Macquarie’s disciplines, including linguistics, cognitive science, business, security studies, and the sciences, since eligibility is tied to the research degree itself rather than a single faculty.
Required Documents
- Completed Higher Degree Research application
- Certified academic transcripts from prior tertiary study
- A research proposal matched to a confirmed or proposed supervisor
- English-language proficiency test results, if required
- Academic CV, including any publications or research experience
- Two academic reference reports
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Identify a potential supervisor at Macquarie University whose research matches your intended project
- Contact the potential supervisor to discuss your proposed research before formally applying
- Submit a complete Higher Degree Research application along with your research proposal through the international scholarship round
- No separate application is needed to also be considered for the university-funded iMQRES award
- Submit before the deadline of 31 October 2026 for 2027 entry
- Respond promptly to any requests for additional information from the research office
Selection Process
Macquarie’s research committees assess applications on academic merit, research potential, and the strength of the proposed project and supervisor support. Because the iRTP and iMQRES schemes share one application round, a single submission is assessed against both funding pools.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Secure supervisor agreement before applying, since supervisor support is a key factor in the assessment
- Write a research proposal with a clear and realistic scope aligned to your chosen supervisor’s current research priorities
- Apply well ahead of the 31 October 2026 deadline to allow time for any requested revisions to your proposal
- Applicants comparing other fully funded Sydney-based PhD options often also look at the University Of Sydney Research Training Program Scholarship for a side-by-side comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Macquarie iRTP Scholarship open to all international students?
Yes, it is open to international applicants from any country who meet Macquarie’s academic entry requirements for the chosen research degree.
What is the current stipend rate?
The stipend is approximately AUD 38,000 per year, based on the 2026 rate, with annual indexation applied going forward.
How long does the tuition waiver last?
The tuition fee waiver covers up to three years of full-time research study.
Do I need to apply separately for the university-funded award?
No, applicants to the iRTP scheme are automatically also considered for the International Macquarie Research Excellence Scholarship Program in the same round.
What is the application deadline for 2027 entry?
The deadline for the relevant international scholarship round is 31 October 2026.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes, having an identified or proposed supervisor and an approved research proposal is a key part of the application process.
Does the scholarship cover Master’s by Research degrees as well as PhD?
Yes, it supports both PhD and research master’s degree candidates.
Is there more than one scholarship round per year?
Macquarie typically runs its international scholarship round annually, so applicants who miss the 31 October 2026 deadline may need to wait for the next round.