Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship (VCPS)

Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship (VCPS)

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and research potential to local and international candidates undertaking a research doctoral degree.

The 2025 RMIT Research Funded Scholarship round has now closed, and we are no longer accepting applications for centrally awarded scholarships.

Candidates are welcome to apply outside the designated window for research projects funded through alternative sources, including school or college-based scholarships, industry-sponsored scholarships, or other financial guarantees.

Information on the opening and closing dates for the 2026 RMIT Research Funded Scholarship round will be available from April 2025.

The Vice-Chancellor's PhD Scholarships (VCPS) are funded by RMIT University.

All scholarship applications must include evidence of contact with the proposed senior supervisor. This should be uploaded as an additional document with your application. You must provide the names of academic staff who have agreed to supervise your proposed research in the relevant section of application, along with email evidence of support.

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The VCPS provides the following benefits to recipients:

  • a stipend of $47,821 per annum pro rata (full-time study) which represents a generous RMIT top-up of approximately $12,000 above the RTP rate
  • a research support allowance of $5,000 per annum to support research activities
  • International candidates in receipt of this scholarship are also awarded an RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship (RRITFS)
  • All local candidates, Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia are provided with an RTP Fee Offset scholarship. Applicants in receipt of an RTP Fee Offset scholarship are not required to pay tuition fees for the maximum duration of their candidature
  • a relocation allowance for the cost of relocating in order to take up their postgraduate research program, up to $515 per adult and $255 per child to a maximum of $1,540
  • paid sick, maternity and parenting leave (within the limits of the Scholarship Terms and Conditions).
  • if you are an international candidate, you will also receive the cost of an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy for your visa duration.

The duration of a Vice Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship is three and a half years full-time. This will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken towards an equivalent research degree prior to the commencement of the program at RMIT University.

RMIT University offers 10 VCPS awards each year.

VCPS scholarships are awarded on the basis of a competitive selection process that ranks applicants according to their academic achievement, research outputs and relevant professional experience.

To be considered for a VCPS scholarship you must hold, or be currently completing:

  • a Master by Research
  • a Master by Coursework with a significant research component graded as high distinction, or equivalent
  • an Honours degree achieving first-class Honours
  • a 4 year bachelor degree achieving a GPA of 4 or equivalent (80% or above).

If you do not hold one of the above qualifications, you will only be considered for scholarship if you have previous publications or significant research experience. All other applicants will be considered ineligible.

In addition to the above, to be eligible for this scholarship you must:

  • be an Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia, or an international candidate who is commencing in an RMIT PhD program from 1 January 2025
  • have applied for a full-time PhD program at RMIT.

Part-time VCPS may be approved for candidates with exceptional circumstances (e.g. for medical reasons or due to significant care commitments). Part-time scholarships are not tax exempt. Please refer to the Scholarship Terms and Conditions for further details.

You will be considered ineligible for a VCPS if:

  • you have already commenced your PhD program at RMIT
  • you already hold a research doctorate, or an equivalent research qualification
  • you are currently receiving another equivalent award, scholarship or research related salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the RTP base rate to undertake the research degree
  • you have not met the English requirements by the published scholarship deadline (international only).

VCPS applications is now closed.

In order to be considered for a VCPS, applicants must:

  • follow the application process for a scholarship (including providing evidence of contact with the proposed supervisor) and
  • complete the VCPS Expression of Interest form.

For information on how apply for a scholarship, please refer to the instructions detailed on research scholarships.

As the holder of this scholarship you:

  • must commence your studies in the scholarship commencement period in which you are applying
  • are not able to defer your studies to another year. If a deferral is required, you must apply again the following year if you are unable to take up your award.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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