Study in Australia for Free + Get Paid AUD 39,500/Year with these Graduate Research Scholarships

What if I told you that you can study in Australia, pay zero tuition, and still receive a monthly income? That is exactly what the Graduate Research Scholarships at the University of Melbourne offer. This is one of those rare opportunities that genuinely lives up to the “fully funded” label.

This program combines the Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) and the Research Training Program (RTP), and it is designed for students pursuing:

• Masters by Research
• PhD (Doctoral degree)

The best part of this program is that you do not need a separate application in most cases. If you apply for a research program, you are automatically considered.

What the Scholarship Offers

As a truly fully funded program this scholarship offers more than most graduate scholarships do. If you apply to this program today this is what you stand to get if awarded the scholarship: Full tuition fee coverage

• Living allowance of about AUD 39,500 per year
• Funding duration:
  • Up to 2 years for Master’s
  • Up to 3.5 years (stipend) and 4 years (fees) for PhD
• Relocation grant:
  • AUD 2,000 (within Australia)
  • AUD 3,000 (international students)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students

In total, the scholarship value can reach up to AUD 135,000. That means your biggest expenses are handled. You can focus on your research instead of survival.

Who Can Apply?

Here is the good news. This scholarship is open to:

• Domestic students
• International students
• Students already enrolled or applying for a research degree

But there is a catch and that’s why I want to be honest with you. These Graduate Research Scholarships are highly competitive.

Selection is based on:

• Academic performance
• Research potential
• Previous publications or experience (if any)

From real student discussions, your chances improve significantly if you have strong research output or a solid proposal. Remember your competition is global.

Fields You Can Study

You are not limited to one area. The scholarship covers almost everything:

• Engineering and IT
• Health and Medicine
• Business and Economics
• Arts and Humanities
• Science
• Law and more

So whatever your academic background is, chances are you can find a fit.

How the Application Works.

This is where many people get confused because most scholarships have a separate application process from the degree program they supports. This Graduate Research Scholarship is different.

Here is the simple version of the application:

1. Apply for a graduate research program at the university
2. Meet the course requirements
3. You are automatically considered for the scholarship

If you are already enrolled, you may need to apply separately before 31 October for the next year.  No complicated extra forms for most applicants.

If you are applying for the first time, make sure you apply for your program by 31 October 2026 and you will be considered for the scholarship.

Remember: if you are serious about studying abroad, do not rely on one opportunity. There are quite a few other options for  you:

For Master’s opportunities, check out this post: 30 Fully Funded Masters Scholarships for International Students in 2026

If you are targeting PhD programs, this one is even better: 40 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships for International Students in 2026

These lists give you backup plans. And trust me, you need them.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a fully funded research degree in Australia, this Graduate Research Scholarship is one of the best opportunities out there.

• It covers your fees.
• It pays you a stipend.
• It supports your research journey.

But it demands excellence. So here is the real question: Are you ready to compete at that level? If yes, this scholarship is absolutely worth applying for.