Applicants are ranked and selected on the basis of Griffith University’s selection criteria; addressing academic merit, research potential and the quality of the research training environment in which their research project will be undertaken, taking into account the University’s strategic priorities. The selection process and criteria are as set out in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.

3.1 Stipend

(1) A full-time RTP Stipend Scholarship carries an annual stipend of $35, 656 (2026 rate). The stipend rate for any particular year may be the same as that for the preceding year, indexed annually. A part-time stipend will be 50% of the full-time stipend rate.

(2) The RTP stipend will be paid fortnightly into a nominated bank account. Payment will be calculated from the date of commencement of study, except where an awardee is already enrolled in the program, in which case payment may commence from the date of advice of the grant of the award.

3.2 Paid Leave Entitlements

The table below sets out paid leave that scholarship holders are entitled to within the tenure of their scholarship. Paid leave entitlements are only available to scholarship candidates while they are enrolled. Unused paid leave will be forfeited when the scholarship ends.

Personal leave entitlements can be used for periods of illness or to cover leave for family caring responsibities.

International candidates seeking leave must meet the conditions of their visa to be entitled to the leave provisions set out below and are advised to check conditions with Griffith International.

3.3 Unpaid Leave Entitlements

Unpaid leave entitlements are set out below. Taking this type of leave cannot be grounds for an extension of scholarship.

¹ Scholarship recipients requiring paid parental or partner leave within the first 12 months of study are encouraged to contact the GGRS scholarships team for advice

² Parental leave for pregnant candidates would normally commence no later than three weeks prior to the expected birth date unless medical evidence is provided to certify that the candidate is fit to continue normal study for a further period that extends no later than the expected birth date

³ In circumstances where family and domestic violence is of such a nature/frequency and the Family and Domestic Violence Leave provisions have been exhausted, the scholarship recipient can apply for additional personal leave (if this leave has not been previously consumed) or, beyond this provision, unpaid leave of absence

⁴ Leave of absence will not be approved in the first 6 months of candidature or the last 2 months unless exceptional circumstances apply.

4.1 Commencement of study

Awardees must accept both a place in the HDR program (if not already commenced) as well as the RTP Stipend Scholarship by the date specified in the offer letter and must commence their scholarship by the commencement date specified in this letter. Awardees may apply for a deferred commencement to a future date where a provision to defer the scholarship is provided in the letter of offer. Awardees are normally expected to commence within the year of award. Full details of the reasons for the request will be required.  If an awardee cannot commence by the approved date as outlined in the letter of offer, or where a deferral request is not approved, the award will be withdrawn.

4.2 Enrolment

(1) Awardees are required to maintain an on-campus enrolment.

(2) In exceptional circumstances, an application to undertake the award predominantly away from the University (remote candidature) may be considered for domestic candidates where they have a high likelihood of success in the program as evidenced by qualifications, research experience and required access to local research resources. Requirements are detailed in Section 3.9 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure and section 3.3 of the HDR Admission Procedure.

4.3 Study load

(1) Awardees are required to maintain a full-time study load, unless Griffith University has approved part-time study load and scholarship award in accordance with section 3.8 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. Part-time scholarships will have tax withheld in accordance with the relevant tax legislation. The University may require part-time scholarship recipients to convert to full-time if the reasons for which the part-time award was granted no longer apply.

(2) A full-time study load commitment is at least the equivalent of the standard five day working week (e.g. 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 48 weeks per year). The actual pattern of research and study is to be negotiated by the candidate and their supervisory team. Refer to Section 3.5 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure.

4.4 Duration

(1) The maximum duration of a full-time RTP Stipend Scholarship is:

1. 2 years (full-time equivalent) in a masters (research) or the MPhil program
2. 3 years (full-time equivalent) in a doctoral program.

(2) Continuation of receipt of the RTP Stipend throughout this duration is dependent upon evidence of the awardee’s satisfactory progress in the HDR program, through the timely completion of candidature milestones and satisfactory progress reports.

(3) The Scholarship duration will be reduced by any period of study undertaken:

1. towards the research project and/or degree prior to the commencement of the RTP Stipend Scholarship; or
2. towards the degree during suspension of the RTP Stipend Scholarship.

(4) An extension to the RTP Stipend Scholarship up to a maximum of six months may be approved for doctoral candidates, provided the candidate is making satisfactory progress and only where the grounds for the extension:

1. relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate, and could not have been reasonably anticipated at the commencement of the program; or
2. are on the basis of the candidate undertaking an industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity of more than 30 days duration, approved by the Dean Research as part of the HDR program, as per Section 4.7 of these Conditions of Award.

A request for an extension should be made within a reasonable period before (and at least one month) before the expiry date of the award.

4.5 Change to HDR program

(1) Applications to transfer candidature from one HDR program to another will be considered in accordance with Section 3.6.5 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure. If an awardee is permitted to transfer from a masters (research) to a doctoral program or from a doctoral to a masters (research) program, the maximum duration of the scholarship will be adjusted accordingly.

(2) The maximum duration of a transferred award becomes that for the new HDR program minus the period of study undertaken towards the previous program prior to the conversion.

(3) A request for a major change to the thesis topic can be considered as per Section 3.6.2 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure.

4.6 Employment and other funding

(1) Awardees are permitted to undertake work, paid or otherwise, that is unrelated to their research project. However, it must not affect their ability to maintain their study load commitment, nor interfere with the timely progression and completion of their research project. Employment commitments will not be considered as a reason for an extension of the award. Requirements are detailed in Section 3.5.3 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure.

(2) Awardees should consult with their principal supervisor in regard to the decision to undertake employment while in the HDR program.

4.7 Industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities

(1) Recipients of a RTP Stipend Scholarship may undertake industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities that are approved by the Dean Research as part of their HDR program.

(2) Ongoing receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship at the rate set out in Section 3.1 may be available for the duration of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity if:

1. The RTP Stipend Scholarship awardee has not exceeded the maximum duration of their HDR program;
2. The awardee has sufficient RTP Stipend duration remaining;
3. The awardee has not submitted their thesis for examination; and
4. The industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity will run for at least 30 days and no more than six months duration.

(3) Undertaking an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity does not constitute grounds for extension to the RTP Stipend beyond the provision for extension set out in Section 4.4.

4.8 Acknowledgement of Commonwealth Contribution

4.9 Repayment of Scholarship

An awardee is required to repay any scholarship payment if:

1. The payment is made in error or overpaid (as determined by the University);
2. The awardee is no longer enrolled in the period the scholarship is paid;
3. The awardee does not meet the conditions of the scholarship or is ineligible for the scholarship, including situations where the awardee has provided false information or has been made a scholarship offer in error.

4.10 Termination of Award

(1) An RTP Stipend Scholarship will be terminated in any of the following circumstances:

1. when the maximum period of entitlement is exhausted and where an extension to this maximum period has not been approved or when the awardee lodges a thesis for examination, whichever is earlier;
2. if the University is satisfied that the program of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the offer of award, and no suitable arrangements can be made for continuation of the degree;
3. when the candidate ceases full-time enrolment when approval has not been obtained to hold the RTP Stipend on a part-time basis;
4. if the awardee commences a period of leave without formal approval, or fails to maintain an on-campus enrolment without approval for remote candidature status;
5. if the awardee does not resume study at the conclusion of approved period of leave, or does not make arrangements to extend that leave;
6. if the candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria specified in Section 1 of these Conditions, other than during a period in which leave has been approved;
7. if the University determines that a candidate is guilty of serious academic or student misconduct in accordance with the Student General Conduct Procedure or the Student Breaches of Academic Integrity Procedure
8. if the candidate fails to maintain satisfactory progress, as determined by the University.

(2) If an award is terminated, it cannot be reactivated unless the termination occurred in error.

4.11 Transfer of Award between Institutions

Awardees may request the transfer of their RTP Stipend between Higher Education Providers. Awardees who transfer to another institution may continue to receive their RTP Stipend only if their new institution agrees to its continuation and subject to the new institution having sufficient RTP funding available. Transfers to Griffith University are managed in accordance with the scholarship selection process set out in Section 3.7 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.

5.1 Reconsideration of Decision

(1) A decision by the University made in respect of an application for scholarship is final and not reviewable, as per the University’s Student Review and Appeals Policy.

(2) A candidate who is dissatisfied with a decision to terminate the scholarship may request a review of the decision in accordance with the Student Review and Appeals Policy.

5.2 Change to Award Conditions

The conditions of award may change and these changes will be made available on the relevant scholarship website.