Scholarships and fees

Want to apply for a scholarship?

A wide range of University, government and non-government scholarships are available to HDR students, normally only for full-time study. Competition for scholarships is strong as they are awarded on academic merit and research potential. In recent years successful applicants have held first class Honours degrees or equivalent.

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Check your eligibility

Find a research supervisor

How to apply

Annual scholarship round

Internship scholarships

All HDR scholarships

Fees

Before applying for a scholarship, you will need to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for both HDR admission and scholarship and have all your supporting documentation in order. You will also need to confirm you have found a supervisor who is willing to supervise your research.

Higher Degree by Research Main Scholarship Round - Domestic

Opening date: TBC August 2025

Closing date: TBC October 2025

For 2026 bestowal

Eligible applicants will be considered for the following scholarships that are on offer every year, noting different scholarships may become available:

Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (AGRTPS)
Flinders University Research Scholarship (FURS)
Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue Indigenous Student Postgraduate Research Scholarship
NEW Mark Govier PhD Scholarship - College of Business, Government and Law

Awardees who make satisfactory progress in their Higher Degree by Research receive a tax-free living allowance for up to three and a half years’ full-time study for a Doctorate by Research, or up to two years for Masters by Research. You will be entitled to paid recreation and sick leave and, in some cases, paid parenting leave. If you are relocating from interstate or overseas you may also be eligible to claim an allowance for travel expenses and relocation costs to Adelaide.

How to apply for a Main Round Scholarship

You must wait until the annual round opens in August 2025. Then you can submit an application for HDR admission and select “Higher Degree Research Scholarship Main Round - Grouping Reward” as part of the application process.

Application information

Can I save and return to my application?

If you start an application but want to save and return to it later, while it is at the stage of ‘incomplete’ you can still add a scholarship by going to the ‘My Applications’ tab in the Student Information System (see image below). You must note your Application ID so you can find it again when you return. Then, open the application you started, select ‘Continue’ and follow the process to Select a Scholarship. Your application will be assessed for admission and scholarship at the same time. You will be notified of the outcome by email in early December.

Separate applications

If you submit a completed HDR admission application without selecting a scholarship, you will need to submit an additional and separate application for HDR scholarship. To do this, log into the Student Information System and select ‘My Scholarships’ tab and apply for the appropriate scholarship.

All HDR scholarships

Flinders University advertises HDR scholarships that are related to specific projects or funding bodies, including ‘Scholarships with impact’ like Rhodes Scholarships and scholarships in specific Colleges or research areas.

Please note that application and start dates vary.

If you are applying for a scholarship that is not part of the HDR main scholarship round, you will need to submit your application directly to the contact listed for the scholarship. You must also submit a separate application for HDR admission as soon as you are advised to do so.

Find all HDR Scholarships opportunities in the Scholarships Database, by selecting Study Level ‘Higher Degrees Research’ and any other relevant filters for your needs.

Search the Database

Fees

The cost of studying a Higher Degree by Research is different to the cost of studying a coursework degree. You do not accrue a HECS debt. Instead, domestic HDR students are normally provided a Research Training Program fee offset to cover tuition fees for up to four years full time equivalent study for a PhD and up to two years full-time equivalent for Masters by Research.

All HDR students must to pay a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee. However, some reductions may apply. The fee will be used for prescribed student support services and amenities that are of a non-academic nature. RTP Administrative rules.

Overtime fees apply, currently charged at $2,100 per annum FTE (FEE-HELP deferrable) in accordance with the University's Continuity of Study Policy 3.1.2.