The Australian Catholic University (ACU) Stipend Scholarship offers a valuable opportunity for talented researchers seeking financial support to undertake a Research Master’s or Research Doctorate degree in Australia.
The scholarship is open to both domestic and international students and combines a substantial annual living stipend with a full tuition fee offset. International recipients may also receive support for overseas student health cover and relocation expenses.
With applications opening twice each year, the ACU Stipend Scholarship is designed to attract candidates with strong academic backgrounds and demonstrated research potential whose proposed research aligns with ACU’s broad areas of research expertise.
About the ACU Stipend Scholarship
The ACU Stipend Scholarship is offered by Australian Catholic University to support candidates undertaking accredited research higher degrees.
The scholarship is funded by ACU and awarded and administered according to the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.
It is intended for students pursuing:
- Research Doctorate degrees
- Research Master’s degrees
Applicants can propose research in areas that align with ACU’s broad areas of expertise.
The scholarship is competitive, meaning applicants are assessed against other candidates through a merit-based selection process.
Candidates with strong academic credentials and research potential are particularly encouraged to apply.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants receive a scholarship package designed to provide significant financial support throughout their research degree.
1. Annual Stipend
Successful full-time applicants receive a stipend of:
AUD $34,315 per year
This is the stated 2026 value and is indexed annually.
The stipend is intended to provide financial support to scholarship recipients while they undertake their research degree.
2. Full Tuition Fee Offset
The scholarship also provides a full fee offset valued at approximately:
AUD $34,728 per year
This significantly reduces the financial burden associated with tuition fees for eligible research students.
3. Overseas Student Health Cover
International applicants may receive a single Overseas Student Health Care Policy as part of the scholarship package.
This provides additional support for eligible international students undertaking their research studies in Australia.
4. Relocation Allowance
International scholarship recipients may also receive a relocation allowance of up to:
AUD $2,000
This can assist eligible international students with expenses associated with relocating to Australia for their research degree.
Who Can Apply?
The ACU Stipend Scholarship is open to both:
- Domestic students
- International/overseas students
Applicants must be undertaking or applying to undertake an accredited research higher degree at Australian Catholic University.
The scholarship is therefore relevant to prospective researchers who are seeking to undertake a Research Master’s or Research Doctorate at ACU.
Research Areas
Applications are open to candidates whose proposed research aligns with any of ACU’s broad areas of expertise.
This means applicants should ensure that their proposed research project fits within an area supported by the university’s research community.
The source does not provide a single restricted list of disciplines for the scholarship; instead, it directs applicants to ACU’s broad areas of expertise.
Selection Process
The ACU Stipend Scholarship is awarded through a competitive, merit-based selection process.
The university indicates that candidates with:
- Strong academic credentials
- Demonstrated research potential
- A research proposal aligned with ACU’s areas of expertise
are encouraged to apply.
Because the scholarship is competitive, meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.
Applicants should therefore prepare a strong research application and clearly demonstrate their academic and research capabilities.
Application Deadlines for 2026
The ACU Stipend Scholarship has two application rounds each year, giving prospective applicants multiple opportunities to apply.
Round 1
Application deadline: Wednesday, 1 April 2026, at 11:59 PM AEDT
For successful applicants:
- Domestic commencement: First workday of August
- International commencement: First day of Research Term D in October
The Round 1 deadline has already passed for 2026.
Round 2
Application deadline: Thursday, 1 October 2026, at 11:59 PM AEST
For successful applicants:
- Domestic commencement: First workday in February of the following year
- International commencement: First day of Research Term C in July of the following year
Important Deadline
For applicants preparing for the second 2026 round, the key date to remember is:
1 October 2026 at 11:59 PM AEST
Applicants should prepare their research proposal, supporting documents and referee arrangements well before the deadline.
How to Apply for the ACU Stipend Scholarship
The application process differs depending on whether you are a prospective or current ACU research student.
For Future Students
Prospective students can apply for the scholarship as part of their application for a research degree at ACU.
Applicants should first develop their research idea and review ACU’s research degree application requirements.
The university provides a dedicated application guide for prospective domestic and international research students.
For Current ACU Students
Current ACU students can obtain the scholarship application form through the ACU Student Portal.
The completed application and required supporting documentation should be submitted to the Graduate Research School.
The provided contact email is:
Six Key Stages of the Application Process
ACU outlines six major stages for the scholarship and research degree application process.
1. Prepare
The first stage involves preparing your application.
Applicants should:
- Develop their research idea.
- Gather the required documents.
- Identify and organise referees.
- Consider potential supervisors.
- Prepare the materials required for the research degree application.
A strong research concept is an important starting point for the application.
2. Apply
Once the required materials have been prepared, applicants submit their application together with the necessary supporting documentation.
Prospective students should follow ACU’s application instructions for their relevant student category.
Apply HERE
3. Referee Reports
Nominated referees will be required to complete and submit reports supporting the applicant’s application.
Applicants should therefore contact their referees early and ensure that they understand the submission requirements and deadlines.
4. Assessment
ACU reviews the submitted application and supporting materials.
The scholarship is competitive and assessed through a merit-based selection process.
Academic credentials and research potential are among the important considerations.
5. Outcome
Applicants will receive an outcome following the assessment process.
Successful candidates will receive information about their scholarship and research degree arrangements.
6. Enrolment
Successful applicants proceed with the required enrolment steps.
They can then prepare to commence their research degree according to the applicable commencement period.
What Applicants Should Prepare
Although specific requirements may vary depending on the research degree and applicant category, prospective applicants should be prepared to develop and present a clear research idea.
Important preparation areas include:
- A clearly defined research topic.
- A research proposal or research idea.
- Relevant academic documentation.
- Referee arrangements.
- Information about previous academic qualifications.
- Appropriate supporting documents.
- Evidence demonstrating research potential.
Applicants should consult ACU’s official application instructions for the complete requirements applicable to their situation.
Domestic and International Students
One of the important features of the ACU Stipend Scholarship is that it is available to both domestic and international candidates.
This makes it relevant to prospective research students from Australia as well as eligible students from other countries who are seeking to undertake a research degree at ACU.
For international recipients, the scholarship package can include:
- Annual stipend.
- Full tuition fee offset.
- Overseas Student Health Care Policy.
- Relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000.
International applicants should also carefully review ACU’s requirements for admission to research degrees and any applicable visa requirements.
Why the ACU Stipend Scholarship Is Worth Considering
The scholarship provides a combination of financial and academic support that can make undertaking a research degree more manageable.
Rather than providing only a tuition waiver, the scholarship package includes a substantial annual stipend.
For eligible international applicants, additional support may also be available for health insurance and relocation.
The opportunity can therefore be particularly valuable for students who have strong research ambitions but need financial support to dedicate themselves to postgraduate research.
Learn More About This Opportunity HERE
Important Points for Applicants
Before applying, prospective candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- The scholarship is competitive. Meeting eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee an award.
- Research alignment matters. Your proposed research should fit within ACU’s broad areas of expertise.
- Academic performance is important. ACU specifically encourages candidates with strong academic credentials.
- Research potential is considered. Applicants should clearly demonstrate their ability and potential as researchers.
- There are two application rounds annually.
- International applicants should review additional requirements relating to studying in Australia.
- Prepare early. Referee reports and supporting documentation should be organised before the application deadline.
2026 ACU Stipend Scholarship at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Australian Catholic University |
| Opportunity | ACU Stipend Scholarship |
| Study level | Research Master’s and Research Doctorate |
| Study location | Australia |
| Applicants | Domestic and international students |
| Annual stipend | AUD $34,315 |
| Tuition support | Full fee offset, approximately AUD $34,728/year |
| International support | Overseas Student Health Care Policy |
| Relocation allowance | Up to AUD $2,000 for eligible international applicants |
| Selection | Competitive, merit-based |
| 2026 Round 1 deadline | 1 April 2026 |
| 2026 Round 2 deadline | 1 October 2026, 11:59 PM AEST |
| Application frequency | Twice per year |
| Research areas | ACU’s broad areas of expertise |
Conclusion
The ACU Stipend Scholarship provides an important pathway for talented domestic and international researchers seeking to undertake a Research Master’s or Research Doctorate at Australian Catholic University.
The scholarship offers a strong financial package, including an annual stipend of AUD $34,315, a full tuition fee offset valued at approximately AUD $34,728 per year, and additional support for eligible international applicants through health insurance and a relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000.
With applications opening twice each year, prospective applicants who missed the first 2026 round can prepare for the second application deadline of 1 October 2026 at 11:59 PM AEST.
Candidates should focus on developing a strong research idea aligned with ACU’s areas of expertise, demonstrating academic excellence and clearly presenting their research potential. Early preparation is strongly recommended, particularly when organising referees and supporting documents.
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