The Australian Catholic University (ACU) is offering the ACU Stipend Scholarship to support domestic and international students undertaking eligible Research Masters or Research Doctorate degrees in Australia. The competitive scholarship provides substantial financial support, including an annual living stipend, a full tuition fee offset and additional assistance for eligible international students.
The scholarship is intended to attract high-calibre researchers whose proposed research aligns with ACU’s broad areas of research expertise. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to undertake advanced research at ACU while receiving financial support throughout their eligible study period.
Scholarship Benefits
The ACU Stipend Scholarship provides a comprehensive funding package designed to reduce the financial burden associated with postgraduate research study.
Successful full-time recipients will receive:
• AUD $34,315 per year as a stipend scholarship. The stated 2026 value is indexed annually.
• Full fee offset valued at approximately AUD $34,728 per year, covering eligible tuition fees.
• Overseas Student Health Care Policy and relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000 for eligible international applicants.
The combination of a living stipend and tuition fee support makes the scholarship a significant opportunity for students seeking to undertake postgraduate research in Australia without carrying the full cost of tuition and living expenses.
International recipients may also benefit from the additional support provided through the overseas student health care and relocation allowances.
Eligible Research Degrees
The scholarship is available to candidates undertaking an eligible Research Masters or Research Doctorate at Australian Catholic University.
ACU offers graduate research opportunities including research degrees such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil). Prospective applicants should ensure that their proposed programme qualifies under the scholarship and research training requirements before applying.
The scholarship is open to applicants whose proposed research aligns with one of ACU’s broad areas of expertise, providing opportunities across a range of academic and research disciplines.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements established under ACU’s Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.
The scholarship is open to both domestic and international students, provided they meet the relevant requirements and are enrolled, or seeking enrolment, in an accredited research higher degree at ACU.
Prospective candidates should have a strong academic background and demonstrate research potential. Since the scholarships are competitive, meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee an award.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review ACU’s official scholarship policy and application requirements before preparing their submission.
Selection Process
The ACU Stipend Scholarship is awarded through a competitive, merit-based selection process.
Academic achievement and demonstrated research potential are important considerations in the selection process. Candidates with strong academic credentials and a well-aligned research proposal are therefore encouraged to prepare carefully and ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their research capabilities and suitability for postgraduate study.
Applicants should also ensure that their proposed research is aligned with ACU’s areas of expertise and identify an appropriate research pathway and supervisory arrangements where required.
Application Deadlines
The ACU Stipend Scholarship has two application rounds each year, providing prospective candidates with multiple opportunities to apply.
For Round 1, the application deadline was 1 April 2026 at 11:59 p.m. AEDT. Domestic recipients are scheduled to commence on the first workday of August, while international recipients commence on the first day of Research Term D in October.
For Round 2, the application deadline is 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. AEST. Domestic recipients will commence on the first workday in February of the following year, while international recipients will commence on the first day of Research Term C in July of the following year.
The upcoming 1 October 2026 deadline provides eligible candidates with an important opportunity to seek funding for a future research degree at ACU.
How to Apply
Prospective students can apply for the scholarship as part of the application process for an eligible research degree at ACU. Applicants should follow the university’s official research degree application instructions and provide the required supporting documentation.
Current ACU research students can access the scholarship application form through the Student Portal and submit the completed application together with the required documents to the Graduate Research School.
Applicants should allow sufficient time to prepare their research proposal, academic documents and other supporting materials before the deadline.
Scholarship Summary
Scholarship: ACU Stipend Scholarship
University: Australian Catholic University
Study Level: Research Masters and Research Doctorate
Eligible Applicants: Domestic and international students
Annual Stipend: AUD $34,315
Tuition Support: Full fee offset of approximately AUD $34,728 per year
International Support: Health cover and relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000
Selection: Competitive, merit-based
Next Deadline: 1 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. AEST
How to Apply
Interested candidates should review the official ACU scholarship and research degree information, confirm their eligibility and follow the university’s application procedures.
