International applicants, including Ugandan citizens, are eligible if commencing an RMIT PhD from 2027-01-01. Applicants must apply for a full-time PhD and normally hold a Master by Research, a coursework Master\'s with a substantial high-distinction research component, first-class Honours, or a four-year bachelor\'s degree with approximately 80% or higher results. Applicants without these qualifications may be considered only with significant research experience or publications. International applicants must meet RMIT\'s English-language requirements by the scholarship deadline and must not already hold an equivalent research doctorate or another award exceeding 75% of the RTP base stipend.

RMIT University\'s Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship is a highly competitive research award for exceptional doctoral candidates. Ten awards are offered annually based on academic excellence, research potential, research outputs and relevant professional experience.

Benefits
RMIT\'s published 2026 VCPS package provides AUD 48,299 per year for 3.5 years, subject to annual indexation, plus AUD 5,000 per year for research activities. International recipients also receive an RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship covering tuition and Overseas Student Health Cover for the visa duration. Relocation support is available up to AUD 515 per adult and AUD 255 per child, capped at AUD 1,540, together with eligible paid sick, maternity and parenting leave. RMIT states that 2027 benefit rates will be released at the end of 2026.

Requirements
Applicants must identify a proposed senior supervisor and include evidence of contact and supervisor support with the expression of interest. Required materials include the research-degree application, academic qualifications and transcripts, English-language evidence, research proposal or project information, supervisor supporting statement and evidence relevant to research outputs and professional experience.

How to apply
Identify an appropriate RMIT research project and supervisor, obtain the required in-principle supervisor supporting statement and submit an international expression of interest by 2026-08-30. Applicants invited to proceed must submit the complete research-degree and scholarship application with all required documents by 2026-09-30.