Australian Catholic University Stipend Scholarship 2026

ACU Stipend Scholarship 2026 in Australia

The ACU Stipend Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded research scholarship offered by Australian Catholic University (ACU) for domestic and international students who want to pursue a Research Master's or Research Doctorate in Australia.

The scholarship provides financial support for research students through an annual living stipend, a full tuition fee offset and additional benefits for eligible international applicants. The 2026 scholarship package includes a stipend of AUD $34,315 per year, a full fee offset valued at approximately AUD $34,728 per year, Overseas Student Health Cover and a relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000 for international students.

Applications are accepted twice each year, with the next application deadline set for October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM AEST.

ACU Stipend Scholarship 2026 Overview

Category	Details
Scholarship Name	Australian Catholic University Stipend Scholarship 2026
Host Country	Australia
University	Australian Catholic University
Degree Level	Research Master's & PhD
Study Area	Research Degrees
Eligible Applicants	Domestic & International Students
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Annual Stipend	AUD $34,315
Tuition Fee Offset	Approx. AUD $34,728 per year
Health Insurance	Provided for eligible international students
Relocation Allowance	Up to AUD $2,000
Selection	Merit-Based
Application Rounds	April and October
Next Deadline	October 1, 2026

The stipend and fee offset figures above are the 2026 indexed values and may be adjusted in future years.

What Does the ACU Stipend Scholarship Cover?

The scholarship provides a comprehensive funding package for eligible research students.

Successful applicants can receive:

• AUD $34,315 annual stipend for full-time study
• Full tuition fee offset valued at approximately AUD $34,728 per year
• Overseas Student Health Cover for eligible international applicants
• Relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000 for eligible international students
• Financial support for general living expenses
• Opportunity to pursue a research Master's or PhD at ACU

The scholarship is funded and administered by Australian Catholic University under its Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.

Who Can Apply?

The ACU Stipend Scholarship is open to both domestic and international students who are undertaking an accredited research higher degree at Australian Catholic University.

Applicants should:

• Be eligible for a research Master's or doctoral degree at ACU.
• Be a domestic or overseas student.
• Have a proposed research project that aligns with ACU's broad areas of expertise.
• Demonstrate strong academic credentials.
• Show research potential.
• Meet the admission requirements of their selected research degree.
• Submit a complete application before the relevant deadline.

The scholarship is competitive and candidates are selected through a merit-based assessment process.

Eligible Study Levels

The ACU Stipend Scholarship supports students undertaking research-based postgraduate degrees.

Eligible levels include:

Research Master's Degree: Students can receive funding while undertaking an eligible research Master's programme at ACU.

Research Doctorate: PhD candidates can also be considered for the scholarship if they meet the academic, research and eligibility requirements.

ACU specifically states that the scholarship supports candidates undertaking a Research Doctorate or Research Master's degree.

Research Areas

Applicants can apply if their proposed research aligns with one of ACU's broad areas of expertise.

This gives students from different academic backgrounds the opportunity to propose research projects that fit within ACU's research environment.

Applicants should carefully review ACU's research areas and identify potential supervisors whose expertise matches their proposed research topic.

A strong connection between the applicant's research proposal and ACU's research strengths can strengthen the application.

Academic Requirements

The ACU Stipend Scholarship is highly competitive, so applicants should have a strong academic background.

Selection considers factors such as:

• Academic achievement
• Research experience
• Research potential
• Quality of the proposed research
• Alignment with ACU research priorities
• Availability of appropriate supervision
• Overall strength of the application

ACU's scholarship package information states that priority can be given to applicants whose research aligns with ACU's research priorities or areas of research strength.

International Student Benefits

International students selected for the scholarship can receive additional support beyond the stipend and tuition fee offset.

Eligible international applicants may receive:

• Overseas Student Health Cover
• Relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000
• Full tuition fee offset
• Annual living stipend

These benefits can significantly reduce the financial cost of moving to Australia for research study.

Tuition Fee Coverage

One of the major benefits of the scholarship is the full tuition fee offset.

For 2026, the fee offset is valued at approximately:

AUD $34,728 per year

This means eligible scholarship recipients do not have to pay the covered tuition fees during the applicable scholarship period.

The exact scholarship duration and conditions depend on the relevant research degree and ACU scholarship policy.

Annual Stipend

The scholarship provides a living allowance to help successful candidates manage their everyday expenses while studying.

For 2026, the full-time stipend is:

AUD $34,315 per year

The stipend is indexed annually, meaning the amount can change in future years according to the applicable scholarship policy.

The stipend is intended to assist with general living costs while undertaking a Higher Degree by Research.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required for both their research degree application and scholarship assessment.

These may include:

• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research proposal
• Evidence of research experience
• Academic references
• Identification or passport
• Proof of English proficiency where required
• Details of proposed research
• Supporting documents required by ACU
• Scholarship application form where applicable

Applicants should carefully check ACU's current application instructions because document requirements can vary according to the research degree and applicant status.

How to Apply for ACU Stipend Scholarship 2026

Applicants should first identify an eligible Research Master's or PhD programme at Australian Catholic University.

They should then develop a suitable research proposal and explore ACU's research areas to find a potential supervisor whose expertise matches their research interests.

Prospective students can apply for the scholarship as part of the research degree application process. Current ACU research students can download the scholarship application form through the Student Portal and submit it with the required supporting documents to the Graduate Research School.

Application Process

The application process can be completed through these main steps:

Choose a research degree: Select an eligible Research Master's or PhD programme at ACU.

Identify a research area: Make sure your proposed research fits within ACU's areas of expertise.

Develop your research proposal: Prepare a clear research proposal explaining your research question, objectives, methodology and expected contribution.

Find suitable supervision: Identify an appropriate ACU researcher or supervisor whose expertise matches your proposed research.

Prepare your documents: Gather academic transcripts, certificates, CV, research proposal, references and other required documents.

Submit your application: Prospective students can apply as part of the research degree admission process, while current ACU students can submit the scholarship form through the Student Portal.

Merit-based selection: Applications are assessed competitively based on academic credentials, research potential and other selection criteria.

Receive the outcome: Successful candidates receive information regarding their scholarship and research degree arrangements.

Application Deadline

The ACU Stipend Scholarship has two application rounds each year, generally in April and October.

For the current 2026 cycle, the next deadline is:

October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM AEST

The first 2026 round closed on April 1, 2026.

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and allow sufficient time for preparing research documents and securing academic references.

Is the ACU Stipend Scholarship Fully Funded?

Yes.

The ACU Stipend Scholarship is considered a fully funded research scholarship because its package includes both a living stipend and tuition fee offset.

For international applicants, additional benefits include:

• Annual stipend
• Full tuition fee offset
• Overseas Student Health Cover
• Relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000

The 2026 stipend is AUD $34,315 per year and the fee offset is approximately AUD $34,728 per year.

Selection Process

The ACU Stipend Scholarship is awarded through a competitive, merit-based selection process.

ACU encourages candidates with strong academic credentials and research potential to apply. Selection can consider the quality and alignment of the proposed research, the applicant's academic record and whether the research can be supported by ACU's available supervision and research infrastructure.

Applicants should therefore focus on preparing a strong and well-defined research proposal rather than relying solely on academic grades.

Important Points for Applicants

Applicants should keep several important points in mind.

First, the scholarship is specifically for research higher degrees, not ordinary coursework Master's programmes.

Second, international applicants should check the additional requirements for overseas students, including health insurance and relocation arrangements.

Third, scholarship selection is competitive, so meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee an award.

Finally, the stipend amount and fee offset are indexed annually, meaning future values may change.

Why Apply for the ACU Stipend Scholarship?

The scholarship offers several important advantages for international research students.

Key benefits include:

• Fully funded research study
• Annual living stipend
• Full tuition fee offset
• Research Master's and PhD opportunities
• Overseas Student Health Cover for eligible international students
• Relocation support
• Study at Australian Catholic University
• Access to ACU's research environment
• Merit-based academic and research recognition
• Opportunity to develop advanced research expertise in Australia

For students planning an academic or research career, the scholarship can provide valuable financial and professional support.

Final Thoughts

The ACU Stipend Scholarship 2026 is a valuable fully funded opportunity for domestic and international students seeking to pursue a Research Master's or PhD at Australian Catholic University in Australia.

The scholarship provides a AUD $34,315 annual stipend, a full tuition fee offset valued at approximately AUD $34,728 per year, and additional benefits for eligible international students, including Overseas Student Health Cover and a relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000.

Applicants should have strong academic credentials and research potential, while their proposed research should align with ACU's areas of expertise. Selection is competitive and based on merit.

The next application deadline for the 2026 cycle is October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM AEST. Interested students should start preparing their research proposal, academic documents and other application materials well before the deadline. Apply Now