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 Fee offset

(1) An RTP International Fee Offset removes the liability of the awardee to pay program tuition fees for the tenure of the award.

3.2 Allowances

(1) The following ancillary costs of undertaking the HDR program are provided for under the terms of the International Fee Offset:

1. the cost of a standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy which covers the candidate for up to 57 months; and
2. the Student Services and Amenities Fee for which the scholarship recipient would otherwise be liable during the tenure of the scholarship.

4.1 Commencement of study

(1) Awardees must accept both a place in the HDR program (if not already commenced) as well as the RTP International Fee Offset by the date specified in the offer letter.  Awardees must commence their award by the commencement date specified in the letter of offer. 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by the approved date as outlined in the letter of offer, or where a deferral request is not approved, the award will be withdrawn.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 Mode of attendance – Remote candidature

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

4.3 Study load

(1) Awardees are required to maintain a full-time study load, unless approval for part-time study load and award is approved.

(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 3.5.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure.

4.4 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 3.5.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure.

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

(3) Awardees are permitted to:

1. obtain funds for fieldwork, equipment or other expenses not covered by the award; and
2. obtain funding for overseas travel costs from other Australian Government awards or other funding sources.

4.5 Part-time award

(1) Applications to undertake the award on a part-time basis may be considered where the applicant has significant caring responsibilities or a medical condition or disability limiting their capacity to undertake full-time enrolment. Part-time awards will not be considered based on employment limiting capacity to undertake full-time enrolment. Requirements are detailed in Section 3.7 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.

(3) The award duration will be calculated on a pro-rata basis based on periods of full-time/part-time enrolment.

(4) Holders of a part-time award may convert to full-time enrolment  at any stage, subject to seeking approval for full-time enrolment. The University may also require part-time recipients to convert to full-time if the reasons for which the part-time award was granted no longer apply.

4.6 Tenure

(1) The tenure of a full-time RTP International Fee Offset is, from date of program commencement, up to two years (full-time equivalent) for a Masters (Research) candidate and up to three years (full-time equivalent) for a Doctoral candidate.

(2) Continuation of receipt of the RTP International Fee Offset during the tenure of the award 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 tenure of an RTP International Fee Offset will be reduced by any period of study undertaken:

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

(4) A Doctoral candidate making satisfactory progress may apply for an extension to the  RTP International Fee Offset tenure for up to a maximum of six months. An extension will only be approved 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 4.8 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. Awardees enrolled in a Masters (Research) program are not entitled to an extension of award.

4.7 Change to HDR program

(1) Applications to transfer candidature from one HDR program to another will be in accordance with Section 3.6.7 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 award will be adjusted accordingly.

(2) The maximum tenure 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 3.6.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure. If it is established through this approval process that the recorded field of research (FoR) and/or field of education (FoE) for the thesis topic have changed, the Griffith Graduate Research School will update these fields in the candidate’s record.

4.8 Leave provisions

(1) Candidates supported by the RTP International Fee Offset may apply to take leave as per their candidature, stipend scholarship (if applicable) and visa requirements. The Offset will be suspended and extended in line with candidature leave provisions, refer to 3.7 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure.

4.9 Industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities

(1) Recipients of an RTP International Fee Offset may undertake industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities that are approved by the Dean Research as part of their eligible HDR program.

(2) Ongoing receipt of an RTP International Fee Offset may be available for the duration of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity if:

1. The awardee has not exceeded the maximum duration of their HDR program;
2. The awardee has sufficient tenure 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) The undertaking of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity does not constitute grounds for extension to the tenure beyond the provision for extension set out in Section 4.6 (4) of these Conditions of Award.

4.10 Termination of award

(1) An RTP International Fee Offset 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

(1) Awardees may request the transfer of their RTP International Fee Offset between Higher Education Providers. Awardees who transfer to another institution may continue to receive their scholarship 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 3.6 of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.

4.12 Acknowledgement of Commonwealth Contribution

4.14 Relevant External Documents

• Commonwealth Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025
• The Department of Education and Training’s Research Training Program (RTP) webpage
• The Department of Education and Training’s Research Training Program – Frequently Asked Questions for students

(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.

Refer to the Research degree scholarships for information on living allowance scholarships that may be awarded in conjunction with this scholarship, including the Australian Government RTP Scholarship and the Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship.