Curtin University Scholarships 2027 support international students undertaking a master’s by research or doctoral degree at Curtin University in Australia. The main fully funded opportunity is the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, which covers eligible research tuition fees, provides a tax-free living stipend published at AUD 38,440 per year for Curtin PhD scholarships in 2026, with the 2027 rate subject to possible indexation and may include allowances toward approved research-related costs. Unlike scholarships awarded automatically with admission, applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest to a registered Curtin supervisor, obtain an endorsed Invitation to Apply by the end of July, and then complete the formal research-degree admission application. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Curtin University Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully
The scholarship is available across eligible Higher Degree by Research programmes at Curtin University’s Australian campuses. Applicants may propose their own research project or apply for an advertised Curtin research opportunity, but in both cases they need the support of an eligible supervisor before proceeding to the formal application.
Curtin University Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s by Research / PhD
- Institution: Curtin University
- Study Destination: Australia
- Courses Offered: Eligible Higher Degree by Research programmes offered at Curtin University’s Australian campuses
- Program Period: Up to two years for a research master’s and up to three years and six months of stipend support for a PhD
Application Deadline
The Curtin University Research Training Program Scholarship schedule for students commencing in 2027 is:
- Expression of Interest opens: July 1, 2026
- Expression of Interest deadline: July 31, 2026
- Supervisor-endorsed Invitation to Apply: Must be issued by the end of July 2026
- Formal admission application deadline: October 31, 2026
- Scholarship outcomes: November 2026
- Latest commencement date: March 31, 2027
Submitting an Expression of Interest by July 31 does not complete the scholarship application. The proposed supervisor or advertised project lead must review the Expression of Interest and issue an endorsed Invitation to Apply. Applicants who do not receive this invitation cannot proceed to the formal RTP scholarship stage.
Curtin University Scholarship Coverage
The Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship at Curtin University may provide the following benefits:
- A Research Training Program fee offset covering eligible Higher Degree by Research tuition fees
- A tax-free stipend to assist with living expenses
- A published 2026 Curtin PhD base stipend of AUD 38,440 per year
- Possible annual indexation of the stipend
- Stipend support for up to three years and six months of full-time equivalent PhD study
- Support for up to two years of eligible research master’s study
- Possible Research Training Program allowances toward approved ancillary costs associated with the research degree
Eligibility Criteria for Curtin University Scholarships
To qualify for the Curtin University Research Training Program Scholarship, applicants must fulfil the following requirements:
- Eligible Countries: International and domestic applicants may apply.
- Applicants must apply for an eligible Higher Degree by Research at a Curtin University campus in Australia.
- Applicants must meet the academic admission requirements of their selected research degree.
- Applicants must meet Curtin University’s English-language requirements.
- Applicants must identify an eligible registered Curtin supervisor or apply for an advertised research project.
- Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest during the scholarship round.
- Applicants must obtain an endorsed Invitation to Apply from the proposed supervisor or project lead.
- Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic performance and strong research potential.
- Applicants with relevant research publications, creative works or other research outputs may receive a stronger ranking.
- Applicants who have already completed a PhD are not eligible for the RTP scholarship.
- Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee scholarship selection.
A competitive applicant would normally possess a degree containing a substantial research component, generally equivalent to at least 25% of the qualification. This may include an Australian honours degree, research master’s degree or recognised international equivalent.
Curtin may also consider:
- Academic grades and class of honours
- Quality and relevance of the previous thesis or research project
- Peer-reviewed journal articles published during the previous five years
- Books, book chapters or recognised creative research outputs
- Research employment and professional experience
- Awards and academic achievements
- Leadership and contribution within the applicant’s field
- Alignment between the proposed project and Curtin’s research strengths
For PhD admission, applicants generally need a relevant master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with first-class or upper-second-class honours. Exact requirements differ between courses and research areas, so applicants must check the admission criteria for their selected degree.
Current Curtin Higher Degree by Research students may also be considered if they:
- Are not already receiving a base Higher Degree by Research stipend
- Have the support of their supervisor
- Maintain Good Standing in their research programme
- Have completed no more than 18 months of full-time equivalent enrolment as of July 1, 2026
- Meet all other scholarship requirements
Current students may apply for scholarship consideration only under the conditions published for the relevant annual round.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate the English proficiency required for their selected research degree.
For the general Doctor of Philosophy programme, Curtin currently lists a standard IELTS Academic requirement of:
- Overall score of 6.5
- Minimum score of 6.0 in each component
Some research programmes may require higher scores or impose additional English requirements. Curtin also accepts approved alternatives to IELTS and may recognise certain previous qualifications completed in English, subject to its English-language policy.
Applicants should check the official Curtin English-language requirements and the individual course page before arranging a test. You can also review our guide to scholarships without IELTS, but Curtin University makes the final decision on whether an applicant qualifies for an exemption.
How to Apply for Curtin University Scholarships?
Please follow the instructions below to apply for the Curtin University Scholarships:
(1) Review Curtin University’s Higher Degree by Research programmes and identify the research degree that best matches your qualifications and career plans.
Available research degrees include the Master of Philosophy, Master of Research, Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy. Check the academic requirements, campus, study mode and English-language conditions for the specific course before proceeding.
(2) Decide whether to propose your own research topic or apply for an advertised project.
Applicants interested in an established project should review Curtin’s Higher Degree by Research project opportunities. Each advertised project normally identifies the research area, academic lead and expected applicant background.
Applicants proposing their own project should identify a suitable academic using Curtin’s research supervisor directory. Contact only supervisors whose expertise closely matches your proposed research.
(3) Prepare an initial research outline, academic transcripts and a focused curriculum vitae before contacting the supervisor.
Your email should briefly explain:
- Your academic background
- Previous thesis or research experience
- Proposed research topic
- Relevant publications or professional experience
- Why the academic is suitable to supervise the project
- Your intention to apply for the 2027 RTP scholarship
Use our guide on how to write an academic CV for a scholarship to present your research experience, publications, awards and technical skills clearly.
(4) Submit an Expression of Interest between July 1 and July 31, 2026.
Applicants applying for an advertised project should send the Expression of Interest to the project lead. Applicants proposing their own topic should submit it to an eligible Level 1 registered Curtin supervisor.
The Expression of Interest requires information about the intended research degree and generally asks applicants to attach their current CV and academic transcripts. Follow the application link provided on the official Curtin RTP scholarship page.
(5) Work with the proposed supervisor to refine the research project and secure an endorsed Invitation to Apply.
The supervisor or project lead reviews the Expression of Interest and decides whether to nominate the applicant for the scholarship. Successful candidates must receive an endorsed Invitation to Apply for admission and scholarship consideration by the end of July.
An applicant can be shortlisted only once during the scholarship round. If more than one supervisor nominates the same applicant, Curtin considers only the first nomination received.
(6) Arrange the required academic references.
The Invitation to Apply contains instructions for referee submissions. Applicants should select academic referees who can assess their research capability, academic performance and ability to complete an independent Higher Degree by Research.
Curtin strongly recommends providing a second referee. Contact referees early so their reports are submitted within the required timeframe. Our guide on requesting a scholarship recommendation letter can help you approach suitable referees professionally.
(7) Prepare the full research proposal for the formal application.
Curtin recommends a proposal of approximately two pages, with references on an additional page. The proposal should normally include:
- Introduction to the research topic
- Background and brief literature review
- Research problem or knowledge gap
- Research aims and objectives
- Proposed methodology
- Expected importance or contribution
- Ethical considerations, where relevant
- Indicative research timeline
- References
The proposal should demonstrate that the project is original, feasible and aligned with Curtin’s available expertise and facilities.
(8) Submit the formal Higher Degree by Research admission application no later than October 31, 2026.
Use the application instructions provided with your endorsed Invitation to Apply and on Curtin’s research-degree application page. Upload all required academic, research, identity and English-language documents.
The Expression of Interest is not a substitute for the formal admission application. Applicants must complete both stages to be considered for admission and the scholarship.
(9) Wait for the scholarship outcome, which Curtin expects to communicate in November 2026.
Successful recipients must accept the scholarship and complete enrolment according to the instructions in their offer. Students awarded funding for 2027 must normally commence their research degree by March 31, 2027.
Documents Required for Curtin University Scholarships
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Completed Expression of Interest
- Current academic CV
- Passport identification page
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Bachelor’s degree academic transcripts
- Master’s degree certificate and transcripts for doctoral applicants, where applicable
- Official English translations of documents issued in another language
- Explanation of the grading system used by the previous institution, where required
- Evidence of English-language proficiency
- Research proposal
- Written support or endorsed Invitation to Apply from an eligible Curtin supervisor
- Details of academic referees
- Evidence of previous thesis or research training
- Copies or evidence of peer-reviewed publications
- Evidence of books, book chapters, conference papers or creative research outputs, where applicable
- Evidence of academic awards, research employment or relevant professional experience
- Other documents requested by the selected course, project lead or Curtin Graduate Research School
The initial Expression of Interest generally requires a CV and academic transcripts, while the full admission application requires more extensive academic and supporting documentation. Applicants should follow the personalized instructions in their Invitation to Apply rather than uploading unnecessary documents.
Website
For more information about the Curtin University Scholarships, please visit the official pages:
Most Frequently Asked Questions regarding Curtin University:
- Are the Curtin University Scholarships fully funded?
The Research Training Program Scholarship is Curtin University’s main fully funded research scholarship. It provides a tuition fee offset, a tax-free living stipend and may include approved allowances toward certain research-related expenses.
Applicants should check their individual scholarship offer for additional benefits because separate accommodation, airfare, visa and health-insurance payments are not automatically guaranteed.
- Can international students apply?
Yes. The Curtin RTP scholarship round is open to eligible international and domestic applicants applying for Higher Degree by Research programmes at Curtin University’s Australian campuses.
- Is the Curtin University Scholarship available for master’s students?
Yes. Eligible students applying for a master’s by research may be considered for Research Training Program funding for up to two years.
The scholarship does not fund standard postgraduate coursework master’s programmes.
- How much is the Curtin University PhD stipend?
Curtin’s published 2026 PhD base stipend is AUD 38,440 per year, tax-free. The university has not yet published a separate 2027 rate, and the stipend may be indexed annually.
- Do I need to find a supervisor before applying?
Yes. Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest to an advertised project lead or an eligible registered Curtin supervisor and receive an endorsed Invitation to Apply before completing the formal application.
- Can I apply directly for admission without submitting an Expression of Interest?
A direct admission application alone does not complete the RTP scholarship process. Scholarship applicants must submit the Expression of Interest, secure supervisor endorsement and then lodge the formal admission application by October 31, 2026.
- Is IELTS compulsory?
Not necessarily. Curtin accepts several forms of English-language evidence and may recognise eligible previous study completed in English.
For the general PhD programme, the standard IELTS Academic requirement is 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component, although some courses require higher scores.
- Can applicants who already hold a PhD apply?
No. Curtin states that applicants who have previously completed a PhD are not eligible for the Research Training Program scholarship