Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR)

Are you an aspiring researcher looking for fully funded opportunities to pursue a PhD or Masters by Research in Australia? Deakin University offers excellent funding through the Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR) and the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship. These competitive scholarships support both domestic and international candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and research potential.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 application rounds, eligibility, benefits, selection criteria, and tips to strengthen your application. Whether you are a recent graduate or a current researcher, this opportunity can help you achieve your academic goals at one of Australia’s leading universities.

Scholarship Overview:

• Deakin University provides these scholarships to attract high-caliber researchers. The RTP scholarships receive funding from the Australian Government, while DUPR scholarships are funded directly by Deakin University. Both schemes are open to domestic and international applicants.
• Only the top-ranked applicants receive an RTP scholarship. Successful candidates must enroll as full-time, on-campus students. These scholarships support a wide range of research degrees, including Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Masters by Research, and specialized programs such as Master of Philosophy (Medicine).
• The selection process follows a rigorous ranking system based on academic excellence, research experience, alignment with university priorities, and supervisor support. Deakin evaluates applications holistically to ensure only the most promising candidates receive funding.

Benefits and Value of the Scholarship:

Successful recipients enjoy comprehensive financial support designed to remove barriers to research:

• Stipend: $37,450 per annum (tax exempt). This provides a comfortable living allowance for the duration of your degree.
• Relocation Allowance: $500 to $1,500 depending on whether you are moving interstate or from overseas and your family situation.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): For international candidates only – a single policy covering the full duration of your student visa.

These benefits allow you to focus entirely on your research without financial stress. Many recipients also gain access to additional university resources, including research facilities, conference funding, and professional development opportunities.

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Research Degree Entry Requirements:

Before applying, confirm you meet Deakin’s entry standards. Qualifications should generally be recent (within the last five years). Older qualifications may still qualify if supported by a strong portfolio of recent research or professional experience.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

You need a degree at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 8 or 9 with a minimum overall grade equivalent to a Deakin grade of 70%. The degree must be in a relevant field and include a substantial research component (at least 25% of the final year of full-time study). This research component must include a dissertation or equivalent outputs graded at least 70% (Deakin equivalent).

Masters Degree by Research

You require an AQF Level 8 or 9 qualification with a minimum grade equivalent to 65% at Deakin. The research component must represent at least 25% of the final year and achieve at least 65% (Deakin equivalent).

Master of Philosophy (Medicine)

Applicants must meet one of these criteria:

• A Masters degree in the same discipline with a minimum 65% (Deakin equivalent).
• A Bachelor’s degree in the same discipline with at least 70% in third-year units.
• Completion of the pre-clinical component of the Doctor of Medicine (or equivalent) at postgraduate level.

All applicants must also satisfy English language and visa requirements if international.

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Selection Process and Ranking Guidelines:

Deakin uses a competitive 100-point scoring framework to rank applications. Faculties and Institutes only recommend candidates who align with their strategic research priorities. A strong case must be presented via the Recommendation for Candidature form.

Scoring Framework (International and Domestic Qualifications)

• Academic Merit: 40 points maximum
• Research Experience and Publications Relative to Opportunity: 20 points maximum
• Alignment with Strategic Research Priorities: 30 points maximum
• Supervisor Experience/Support: 10 points maximum
• Total: 100 points

Academic Merit forms the foundation. Applicants need either an actual first-class Honours (H1) degree or qualifications clearly equivalent to it. Evidence may include Masters by research, coursework Masters with substantial research components, or Graduate Diplomas with Honours. Factors considered include grades, thesis quality, class rank, awards, and research-related coursework.

For domestic Honours graduates, scoring includes:

• High H1: up to 35 points (+ up to 5 for undergraduate record)
• Mid H1: up to 25 points (+ up to 5)
• Low H1: up to 15 points (+ up to 5)
• H2A: up to 5 points (+ up to 5)

Applicants without recent research experience may receive a multiplier of up to 1.5 on the academic merit score.

Research Experience and Publications evaluates laboratory work, publications, conference presentations, and professional research. Contributions in multi-author papers must be clearly stated. Impact factors are helpful where available.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities rewards projects connected to University Strategic Research Centres (SRC), Research Institutes, or School research clusters. Strong alignment includes building on existing grants, partnerships, or industry collaboration.

Supervisor Experience assesses the supervisory team’s track record in timely completions, publications, funding, and relevance to your project. Early Career Researchers should be paired with experienced colleagues.

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Detailed Examples from Deakin’s Ranking Guidelines:

Deakin provides fictional but realistic examples to illustrate successful profiles:

Applicant A (International, strong H1 equivalence, excellent alignment): Scored 94 points with heavy weighting on academic merit and strategic fit.

Applicant B (International with publications): Achieved 80 points through solid research outputs and supervisor support.

Applicant C (Domestic, low H1 upgraded via experience): Reached 79 points with strong post-Honours publications and alignment.

Applicant D (High H1, recent graduate): Totalled 90 points thanks to exceptional academic record and strategic relevance.

Applicant E (Low H1 upgraded significantly): Scored 83 points through five years of high-impact professional research at CSIRO.

These examples show that a balanced profile or exceptional strength in one area (especially research outputs or strategic alignment) can lead to success.

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2026 Application Deadlines:

Mark these key dates in your calendar:

• 2026 Domestic Round: Opens 20 January 2026, closes 13 March 2026 (for July 2026 intake)
• 2027 International Round: Opens 6 July 2026, closes 23 August 2026 (for February 2027 intake)
• 2027 Domestic Round: Opens 6 July 2026, closes 25 October 2026 (for February 2027 intake)

Applications submitted after the closing dates will not be considered for that round.

How to Apply:

For Currently Enrolled Graduate Researchers Complete the current graduate researcher scholarship application form (available as a DOCX file on Deakin’s website).

For Prospective Applicants

1. Identify a suitable research degree and potential supervisor.
2. Prepare your research proposal.
3. Gather academic transcripts, referee reports, CV, and evidence of research experience.
4. Submit your application through Deakin’s online portal before the deadline.

Visit Deakin’s “How to apply for a research degree” page for step-by-step instructions and tips on submitting a competitive application.

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Tips for a Strong Application:

• Demonstrate H1 Equivalence Clearly: If you lack an actual first-class Honours, build a robust case with detailed evidence of grades, thesis quality, and examiner reports.
• Highlight Research Outputs: Publications, especially first-author refereed journal articles, carry significant weight. Clearly state your contribution percentage.
• Align with Deakin’s Priorities: Research Deakin’s Strategic Research Centres and explain how your project contributes. Mention specific grants, researchers, or partnerships.
• Choose Strong Supervisors: Select a team with proven HDR completion rates and expertise in your area. Mention their track record in your application.
• Address Special Circumstances: If personal challenges affected past performance, provide context and evidence of subsequent achievements.
• Prepare Referee Reports: Choose referees who can speak specifically to your research potential and achievements.
• Tailor Your Proposal: Show how your work advances knowledge and fits Deakin’s research strengths.

Currently enrolled candidates must demonstrate additional merit gained since starting their degree, such as new publications or awards.

Why this University?

Deakin offers world-class research facilities, strong industry connections, and a supportive environment across multiple campuses. Its focus on innovation and real-world impact makes it an ideal place for ambitious researchers. Scholarship recipients benefit from a vibrant research community and excellent career development support.

Frequently Asked Questions

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