La Trobe graduate research scholarships

2025 mid-year scholarship round now open!

The La Trobe University Graduate Research School has two main scholarship rounds each year

• the mid-year scholarship round closing March/ April, and
• the end-of-year scholarship round closing September/ October

Applications for the mid-year scholarship round will close  (unless otherwise specified):

Successful scholarship applicants in the 2025 mid-year scholarship round will receive:

• a generous stipend valued at $35,000 per annum (2025 full-time rate) for 3.5 years for doctoral degrees, or 22 months for Masters by research degrees
• a tuition fee scholarship for 4 years for doctoral degrees, or 2 years for Masters by research degrees
• thesis and relocation allowances

Successful applicants will need to commence between 1 July and 30 November 2025.

You can also find specialised and industry scholarships advertised throughout the year in our La Trobe University Scholarships Search.

Available Scholarships

Graduate Research Scholarships – Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship and La Trobe Graduate Research Scholarship (LTGRS)

Apply for a Graduate Research Scholarship to complete a PhD, Professional Doctorate or Master by research degree at La Trobe University. Applications are open to Australian and New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, and international applicants in the mid-year round.

Graduate Research PhD Project Scholarships

Apply for a PhD Project scholarship to complete a PhD on a specific topic with one of our world-class research teams. Our Scholarship Projects page contains details of the available projects across a diverse range of research areas. Project eligibility requirements, where applicable, are noted under each project.

PhD Project Scholarships are open for applications year-round. Projects will be updated regularly as new opportunities become available, and each project will be open until filled.

Dennis McDermott Research scholarships

The Dennis McDermott Research scholarships are awarded to Indigenous students of exceptional research promise to undertake a graduate research degree at La Trobe University, and include an additional top-up stipend and research support allowance on top of a standard Research Training Program scholarship. You must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident and of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin to apply.

The Dennis McDermott Research Scholarship is open for applications year-round.

Stipend value $45,000 per annum (2025 full-time rate).

La Trobe University – Sheffield Hallam University Joint PhD program scholarships

La Trobe University is offering PhD scholarships to undertake a joint PhD with Sheffield Hallam University, UK , in the areas of sport, food, health and wellbeing. Candidates in the joint program will benefit from the research community, networking and collaborations of the SHU/LTU global strategic partnership and will spend one year of study in the UK. On completion, candidates will be awarded a PhD jointly by La Trobe and Sheffield Hallam University. Applications will be open to Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents.

La Trobe University - Sheffield Hallam University Joint PhD program scholarships are open for applications year-round. Projects will be updated regularly as new opportunities become available, and each project will be open until filled.

La Trobe University – IIT Kanpur Joint PhD program scholarships

La Trobe University is offering PhD scholarships for students to join the IIT Kanpur – La Trobe Research Academy. Scholarships are available to undertake a joint PhD with IIT Kanpur, India, where La Trobe University is the Home Institution. Candidates in the joint program will spend up to one year of study in India and, on completion, will be awarded a PhD jointly by La Trobe University and IIT Kanpur. Applications are open to Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents.

La Trobe University – University of Bayreuth Joint PhD program scholarships

La Trobe University is offering PhD scholarships for students to undertake a Joint PhD with the University of Bayreuth, Germany, where La Trobe University is the Home Institution. Candidates in the joint program will spend up to one year of study in Germany and, on completion, will be awarded a PhD jointly by La Trobe University and the University of Bayreuth. Applications are open to Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents.

Flexible Research Scholarships

Flexible Research Scholarships are available to eligible applicants with disabilities. These scholarships will provide individually tailored support providing a longer period of time (up to 5 years) for completion of a graduate research degree and payment of a stipend, extended periods of leave of absence, and provide access to additional funding for research related costs associated with having a disability. Applications are open to candidates who currently hold an RTP or LTGRS stipend, applicants who apply for an RTP or LTGRS stipend in the 2025 mid-year scholarship round, or applicants applying for a PhD Project Scholarship.

Pathway Scholarships – Transfer from La Trobe Honours to Masters by research, or Master of Engineering (coursework) to Master of Engineering (research)

Current Arts Honours and Science Honours students at La Trobe can apply to transfer into the second year of the Master of Arts or Master of Science research degree respectively. Current Master of Engineering (coursework) students can apply to transfer into a Master of Engineering (research) degree. A number of dedicated pathways scholarships are available to both domestic and international applicants. Eligible applicants will be contacted by email to apply in 2025.

Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation

La Trobe will offer several Baker Department scholarships for PhD applicants with an interest in the area of cardiovascular research. Contact study@baker.edu.au to express your interest and discuss project opportunities for 2025.