ANU University Research Scholarship 2026 – Australian National University
Scholarship Description
The ANU University Research Scholarship (URS) is a prestigious scholarship offered by the Australian National University (ANU) to support high-achieving Higher Degree Research (HDR) students who are conducting research aligned with the strategic directions of the University. ANU, consistently ranked among the world's top universities, is Australia's national university and a globally recognised centre for research excellence.
The scholarship provides a generous stipend of $39,069 per annum (2026 rate) for up to 3.5 years, along with additional allowances including travel and removal benefits, thesis allowance, dependent child allowance (for international students), and paid medical, maternity, and parental leave. No separate scholarship application is required — all eligible candidates are automatically considered based on their HDR admission application.
Scholarship Location
The scholarship is tenable at the Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, ACT, Australia. ANU's main campus is located in Canberra, Australia's capital city, offering a vibrant research environment with state-of-the-art facilities, world-class libraries, and a supportive academic community.
Scholarship Deadlines
ANU conducts two central scholarship rounds each year. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their admission application at least 2–3 weeks before the deadline to allow time for referee reports to be submitted.
Round 1 – International Students: Closing 31 August 2026 | Commencement by 31 March of the following year
Round 1 – Domestic Students: Closing 31 October 2026 | Commencement by 31 March of the following year
Round 2 – International & Domestic: Closing 15 April 2026 | Commencement by 31 August of the same year
Important: Referee reports must be submitted before the scholarship deadline. Submit your application at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
Host Institution
Australian National University (ANU) – Australia's national university, consistently ranked among the top 30 universities globally (QS World University Rankings, THE World University Rankings). ANU is renowned for its research excellence, particularly in areas such as science, technology, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and public policy.
Level and Fields of Study
Level: Higher Degree Research (HDR) – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil).
Fields of Study: All academic disciplines and research areas offered at ANU are eligible. ANU has seven colleges covering a wide range of fields:
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Asia and the Pacific
- Business and Economics
- Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics
- Health and Medicine
- Law
- Science
Target Group
The scholarship is open to both domestic students (Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens) and international students. It is available for prospective students applying for admission, as well as current ANU HDR students who have typically completed less than one year of full-time equivalent study.
Scholarship Duration & Amount
Stipend amount: $39,069 per annum (2026 full-time base stipend rate), paid fortnightly.
Duration: Up to 3.5 years for PhD students (with a possible 6-month extension available).
Additional benefits include:
- Travel and Removal allowances – for students relocating to Canberra to commence their research program
- Thesis allowance – support for thesis preparation and production costs
- Dependent Child allowance – available for international students with dependent children
- Paid medical, maternity, and parental leave – in accordance with university policies
Ongoing eligibility: Continuation of the scholarship is based on satisfactory academic performance.
📊 Summary of Benefits:
$39,069 per annum (fortnightly payments) + Travel/removal allowance + Thesis allowance + Dependent child allowance (international) + Paid leave (medical, maternity, parental)
Scholarship Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for the ANU University Research Scholarship:
- Student status: Domestic or international student enrolled (or applying for enrolment) in an accredited HDR course of study at ANU.
- Academic requirement: Minimum of Honours (H1) or H1 equivalent (First Class Honours or equivalent) in prior studies. This typically corresponds to a GPA of 3.5/4.0 or equivalent high distinction level.
- Exclusion: Industry PhD Candidates receiving a full-time salary are NOT eligible.
- Current students: Prospective students and current ANU students who have recently commenced (typically less than one year full-time equivalent) are eligible.
Selection criteria (merit-based):
- Academic record (prior qualifications and grades)
- Research potential, including support from the prospective supervisor and the location where research will be undertaken
- Referee reports
- English language competency
- Comparison with other applications received in the same scholarship round
✅ Eligible Candidates
- Domestic and international students.
- Prospective HDR applicants and current ANU students (<1 year full-time equivalent).
- First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent academic achievement.
- Strong research potential and supervisor support.
- Meet English language proficiency requirements.
❌ Ineligible Candidates
- Industry PhD candidates receiving a full-time salary.
- Applicants with less than H1/Honours First Class equivalent.
- Current students who have completed more than one year of full-time equivalent study.
- Those who do not meet English language requirements.
- Applicants with incomplete referee reports by the scholarship deadline.
Application Procedure
No separate scholarship application is required. All eligible candidates are automatically considered based on their HDR admission application.
- Contact a prospective supervisor – Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant Graduate Studies Convener or a prospective supervisor prior to lodging an application to discuss the proposed research topic and related matters.
- Prepare your admission application – Gather the following documents:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Research proposal (typically 2–5 pages)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting research experience
- English language proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) – for international students
- Names and contact details of at least 2 academic referees
- Submit your HDR admission application online – Complete the admission application through the ANU online application portal. During the application, select which scholarships you are interested in being considered for, including the University Research Scholarship (URS).
- Referee reports – After you submit your program application, the system will automatically send referee report requests to your nominated referees. Your referees must submit their reports prior to the scholarship deadline for your application to be considered complete.
- Application review and ranking – Each ANU College convenes a selection committee to score and rank ALL eligible H1 (or equivalent) applicants in a merit-based process.
- Outcome notification – Successful applicants will be notified after the scholarship round closes and the ranking process is complete.
For current ANU students (completed less than 1 year full-time equivalent): Submit a 'Request for a current ANU student to be considered for a HDR scholarship' form.
Important notes: Applications must be complete by the scholarship deadline, including all supporting documentation and referee reports. It is strongly recommended that you submit your application 2–3 weeks prior to the deadline to allow time for referees to provide their reports.
Official Website & Application Link
ANU Official Scholarship Page – University Research Scholarship
ANU HDR Admission Application Portal: Available via the ANU website
Contact: For admission-related inquiries, contact the relevant ANU College or the ANU Graduate Research School.
💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements
The ANU University Research Scholarship is one of Australia's most prestigious HDR scholarships, offering a generous stipend of $39,069 per annum (2026 rate) and a range of additional benefits. With no separate scholarship application required, eligible candidates are automatically considered based on their admission application.
Key strategies for a successful application:
- Ensure you have a First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent degree. This is the minimum academic requirement.
- Contact a prospective supervisor at ANU before applying – strong supervisor support significantly improves your chances.
- Prepare a compelling research proposal that aligns with ANU's strategic research directions.
- Submit your admission application at least 2–3 weeks before the scholarship deadline to allow time for referee reports to be submitted.
- Choose referees who can speak to your research potential and academic abilities.
- Meet English language proficiency requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) before applying.
- Apply in Round 1 (31 August for international, 31 October for domestic) for the best chances, as Round 2 is typically smaller.
Important reminders: Referee reports must be submitted before the scholarship deadline – incomplete applications will not be considered. The scholarship includes paid medical, maternity, and parental leave, as well as travel and removal allowances for those relocating to Canberra. A 6-month extension is available beyond the standard 3.5-year duration.
ANU University Research Scholarship 2026 – FAQ
What does the ANU University Research Scholarship cover?
It provides a $39,069 per annum stipend (2026 rate, paid fortnightly) for up to 3.5 years, plus travel and removal allowances, thesis allowance, dependent child allowance (international students), and paid medical, maternity, and parental leave.
Who is eligible to apply?
Domestic and international students with First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent, applying for or currently enrolled in an HDR program at ANU (with less than one year full-time equivalent completed). Industry PhD candidates receiving a full-time salary are not eligible.
What are the application deadlines?
Round 1 International: 31 August 2026; Round 1 Domestic: 31 October 2026; Round 2 (International & Domestic): 15 April 2026. Submit your application 2–3 weeks in advance to allow for referee reports.
Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?
No. All eligible candidates are automatically considered based on their HDR admission application. When you apply for admission, simply indicate your interest in the University Research Scholarship.
What are the selection criteria?
Selection is based on academic record, research potential and supervisor support, referee reports, English language competency, and comparison with other applications in the same round.
Can current ANU students apply?
Yes. Current ANU HDR students who have typically completed less than one year of full-time equivalent study can submit a 'Request for a current ANU student to be considered for a HDR scholarship' form.
Is there an extension available?
Yes. A 6-month extension is available beyond the standard 3.5-year duration.
What is the English language requirement?
International students must meet ANU's English language proficiency requirements, typically IELTS 6.5 (with no band below 6.0) or equivalent TOEFL/PTE scores. Check the ANU website for specific program requirements.