AGRTP Indigenous scholarship

AGRTP-Indigenous scholarships are awarded to Indigenous Australian postgraduate researchers with exceptional promise on the basis of academic merit and research potential. Further information regarding the Australian Government's Research Training Program is available on the Department of Education and Training website.

  • Eligibility

    AGRTP-Indigenous scholarships are typically for full-time study towards higher degrees by research. These scholarships are highly competitive, and only applicants who meet the following eligibility criteria will be considered:

    • Commencing a Charles Sturt University HDR program, or currently enrolled
    • Enrolling/enrolled as a full-time or part-time HDR Indigenous Australian student.

    AGRTP-Indigenous scholarships will not be available to those who:

    • Are enrolled concurrently in any other program, unless it is essential to the success of the HDR, or exceptional circumstances exist and are approved.
    • Are receiving another Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship

    Charles Sturt will rank scholarship applicants according to a specified criteria. See Scholarship Application Guide for further details.

  • Award value

    The scholarship provides the following benefits:

    Stipend*: This scholarship is valued at $50,000 per annum (2024 rate), payable in fortnightly instalments for 3 years FTE for Phd/Doctorates or 2 Years FTE for Research Masters.

    Tuition Fees: Fee exemption for a period equivalent to:

    • Four years (8 sessions) for PhD/Research Doctorate OR two years (4 sessions) for Research Masters at full-time study; or
    • Eight years (16 sessions) for PhD/Research Doctorate OR four years (8 sessions) for Research Masters at part time study.

    Operating Funds*: Scholarship candidates are allocated an allowance of $4,611 per session to assist with the reimbursement of costs associated with a candidate’s research. 3 years FTE for Phd/Doctorates or 2 Years FTE for Research Masters.

    Relocation Allowance: Scholarship candidates may be eligible to receive a relocation allowance for the cost of relocating themselves, their spouse and dependents to a CSU campus, to a maximum of AUD $5,000.

    *If a part-time candidacy is approved the stipend and operating funds are payable at a reduced rate.

  • Scholarship duration

    AGRTP-Indigenous scholarships are normally tenable for four years full-time equivalent for Research Doctorate studies (4 years FTE tuition fee coverage and 3 years FTE for stipend and operating funds allowances), and two years for Research Masters studies subject to satisfactory progress.

    An extension of up to six months may be granted for Research Doctorates (stipend and operating funds components only), where the candidate is making satisfactory progress and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate.

    Scholarship candidates are entitled to 20 paid annual leave working days per year, 10 paid sick leave days per year and may be eligible for up to 12 weeks paid maternity leave for the duration of the scholarship.

Applicants should apply online via the following links. Applications submitted via email will not be accepted.

Expected turnaround time from online submission to determination of outcome for each application will be 3 weeks.

Prospective candidates

Prospective Higher Degree by Research candidates can apply for an AGRTP Indigenous Scholarship when completing their Charles Sturt course admission application.

Apply now

Not sure which HDR course to apply for?  Review our available courses and our guide to getting started with a research degree.

Current Charles Sturt HDR candidates

Candidates currently enrolled in a Charles Sturt HDR course must complete a separate scholarship application.

New Application

Resume Application