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Research students comparing Australian funding packages should distinguish a living stipend from tuition support. Monash University’s Research Training Program stipend is designed to help eligible graduate researchers meet living expenses; any additional fee coverage should be checked against the individual offer.
For 2027, Monash lists the RTP Stipend at AUD 41,100 per year. The scholarship is designed primarily to help research students meet living costs while completing an eligible graduate research degree.
What the Monash RTP Stipend covers
The scholarship provides a living allowance and may also include a relocation allowance for eligible recipients. International students may also be considered for tuition scholarships that can be packaged with the stipend.
This distinction is important: the stipend supports living costs, while tuition support may come through a separate but related scholarship assessment. International applicants should therefore read both the RTP stipend and tuition-fee scholarship information when estimating total funding.
Who can apply?
International students are eligible to compete for the award if they meet Monash’s graduate research admission requirements, scholarship selection standards and English-language requirements.
The scholarship is highly competitive. Monash states that selection is based on factors including:
- Academic excellence.
- Research experience.
- Research outputs.
- Overall competitiveness of the graduate research application.
2027 international application deadline
For the 2027 cycle, Monash has brought forward the International Round 1 closing date. The published deadline is:
28 February 2027
Monash runs several research scholarship rounds during the year. International applicants should choose the round that matches their intended commencement period and confirm faculty-specific requirements before submitting.
How the application works
Applicants generally submit the scholarship application together with the graduate research course application through Monash’s myApp portal. New applicants do not normally need to select each individual scholarship separately because eligible candidates can be considered across available graduate research scholarships.
Before applying, however, candidates should identify their proposed faculty, research area and potential supervisor. Research fit can be just as important as academic grades, particularly for applicants whose proposed project depends on specialist supervision or facilities.
Research proposal and supervisor preparation
A strong research proposal should clearly explain the problem being investigated, why the problem matters, what is already known and how the proposed study will add new knowledge. Applicants should avoid writing a proposal that is too broad to complete within the degree period.
Before contacting a supervisor, read their recent research profile and publications. A good first email should be concise and show that the applicant understands the supervisor’s field. Include a short introduction, academic background, proposed research area and why the supervisor may be a good fit.
How international applicants can strengthen their scholarship chances
Because the RTP is competitive, applicants should present evidence of research ability rather than relying only on grades. Useful evidence may include:
- A strong undergraduate or master’s dissertation.
- Peer-reviewed publications or conference papers.
- Research assistant experience.
- Technical or laboratory skills.
- Evidence of independent research.
- A well-developed research proposal.
- Strong academic references.
If an applicant has limited publications, the application can still be strengthened through a high-quality thesis, evidence of research methods training and a clear proposal that fits Monash expertise.
Tuition support for international students
Monash also offers tuition scholarships for international graduate researchers, including fee-offset arrangements for eligible candidates. Applicants should check whether they are being considered for tuition support in addition to the stipend because living-cost funding alone does not automatically remove international tuition charges.
Application checklist
- Confirm eligibility for the chosen research degree.
- Identify a suitable faculty and research supervisor.
- Prepare academic transcripts and certificates.
- Update your academic CV.
- Prepare a research proposal where required.
- Arrange academic references early.
- Check English-language requirements.
- Submit before the relevant international scholarship round closes.
Monash research scholarship: practical guide for Kenyan applicants
Before preparing an RTP application, establish which research degree and department match your academic record. A master’s coursework degree and a master’s by research are not interchangeable for admissions purposes. Read Monash’s specific entry standards, research-training requirements and scholarship rules, rather than assuming all Kenyan bachelor’s and master’s degrees are treated identically.
How to approach a potential supervisor
Where a faculty expects or permits initial supervisor contact, write a concise email identifying your previous research, the question you want to investigate and why that supervisor’s work is relevant. Attach a short academic CV and a one-page research outline if requested. Avoid mass-sending identical emails. One credible example for an applicant researching Kenyan public health might be a focused investigation of referral-system delays in a defined county, with an appropriate method and clear ethical considerations.
Documents and financial planning
- Prepare official transcripts, degree certificates and, where relevant, thesis abstracts or evidence of research experience.
- Confirm English-language evidence requirements and whether any exemption applies to your qualifications.
- Give referees the specific research programme details and sufficient time to write substantive recommendations.
- Separate the stipend from tuition scholarship arrangements: verify which awards and fee offsets apply to your offer.
- Budget in KSh for passport, any tests, visa charges, health cover, flights, initial housing and expenses before the first stipend payment. Convert AUD amounts using a current exchange rate.
Checklist before applying
Confirm the current international scholarship round and deadlines on Monash’s website, identify the correct admissions pathway, verify whether supervisor endorsement is needed, and submit all supporting files before the closing date. Being eligible for a research degree does not guarantee scholarship funding, and JobScholarship.com does not submit applications on behalf of students.
How to write a focused research outline
A useful outline explains the problem, the gap in existing research, a manageable question, proposed methods and expected contribution. For example, a Kenyan graduate studying digital financial inclusion could focus on a clearly defined population and a measurable outcome rather than promising to transform an entire industry. This is an illustrative topic, not a Monash-approved project. Cite relevant research and explain why the proposed department has suitable expertise.
Questions to resolve before you accept an offer
Ask the university what fees are covered, when stipend payments begin, whether overseas student health cover is included, and what academic milestones apply. Students relocating from Kenya should distinguish an annual stipend figure from money available immediately on arrival. Check official Australian immigration guidance for visa and financial requirements; do not buy non-refundable flights before the appropriate visa decision.
For extra preparation, read our scholarship application checklist and motivation letter guide. These guides support preparation but do not replace Monash’s programme requirements.
Official source
Applicants should verify the current value, conditions and deadlines on the official Monash University RTP Stipend page.
JobScholarship.com guidance: Treat supervisor fit and research readiness as central parts of the scholarship application. A well-aligned research proposal can be more persuasive than a generic application sent across several universities.