Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS): Fully Funded PhD & Research Degrees in Australia

Studying in Australia for free is possible—especially for international students pursuing PhD or research-based master’s degrees. One of the most competitive and generous opportunities available is the Flinders International Research Scholarship (FIPRS) at Flinders University.

This scholarship is fully funded, covering 100% tuition fees, providing a tax-free living stipend, and supporting relocation to Australia. Due to its limited availability and high academic standards, FIPRS is awarded only to candidates with exceptional research potential.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Flinders International Research Scholarship, including benefits, eligibility, selection criteria, and how to apply successfully.

What Is the Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (FIPRS)?

The Flinders International Research Scholarship (FIPRS) is a prestigious scholarship designed to support high-achieving international students undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at Flinders University in Australia.

The scholarship:

• Covers full international tuition fees

• Provides a generous living stipend

• Supports full-time PhD or research master’s study

• Is tenable for up to 3.5 years for doctoral candidates

FIPRS is not a Commonwealth Sponsored Scholarship for visa purposes, but it remains one of the most valuable fully funded research scholarships in Australia.

Because only a limited number of awards are offered each year, the scholarship is highly competitive and primarily awarded to applicants with strong publication records and proven research excellence.

Below is also a list of top five Scholarships in Australia for international Students to consider.

1. Australia Awards Scholarships
2. Australian Research Training Program
3. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) International Fee Offset Scholarship at Griffith University
4. Rotary Peace Fellowship Program at University of Queensland
5. Global Excellence Scholarships at University of Western Australia

What Does the FIPRS Scholarship Cover?

The Flinders International Research Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, allowing students to focus entirely on their research.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants receive:

• 100% international tuition fee coverage for the duration of the research degree

• Living stipend of AUD $35,010 per year (tax-free)

• Annual indexation of the stipend

• Relocation allowance of up to AUD $1,485 for students moving to Adelaide from overseas (receipts required)

This makes FIPRS one of the best fully funded PhD scholarships in Australia for international students.

Duration of the Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

• PhD (Research Doctorate): Up to 3.5 years

• Master’s by Research: As per the standard full-time duration

Recipients must:

• Study full time

• Be commencing a research degree in Australia for the first time

Who Is Eligible for the Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship?

To be considered for FIPRS, applicants must meet all eligibility conditions below.

Citizenship Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand

• Not hold Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residency, or New Zealand citizenship

Study and Enrolment Requirements Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Intend to commence full-time HDR study in Australia for the first time

• Apply for a PhD or Master’s by Research at Flinders University

• Intend to enrol in an area of research concentration (priority research areas at Flinders)

Applicants who:

• Commenced HDR study in the previous year but could not apply due to timing issues, or

• Terminated a previous HDR enrolment within six months

may still be considered.

Academic and English Language Requirements Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Meet all entry requirements for HDR candidature

• Provide certified academic transcripts (translated into English)

• Meet English language proficiency requirements for HDR study at Flinders

Selection Criteria: How FIPRS Applications Are Assessed

FIPRS recipients are selected by the Scholarships Committee based on:

• Academic excellence

• Research potential

• Research training background

• Quality and impact of research publications

Applications are ranked according to the University’s Guidelines for Ranking Postgraduate Research Scholarship Applications.

Publications Matter

Due to the competitiveness of the scholarship:

• Applicants are expected to submit up to five peer-reviewed publications

• Publications should be no more than five years old

• In 2025, successful applicants typically scored maximum points for publications

Applicants without publications are unlikely to be competitive.

Research Supervisor Requirement (Very Important)

To apply for FIPRS, you must:

• Contact a Flinders University academic staff member

• Secure their agreement to supervise your research

• Include email confirmation from the supervisor in your application

Applicants without a confirmed supervisor will not be considered.

Documents Required for FIPRS Application

A complete and competitive application must include:

• Certified academic transcripts (English versions)

• Research proposal (approx. 500 words)

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Up to five publications with completed coversheets

• Two Academic Referee Confidential Reports

• Evidence of supervisor agreement

Incomplete applications are automatically rejected.

How to Apply for the Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Step 1: Apply for Admission (HDR Program)

International applicants must apply for admission to a PhD or Master’s by Research through the Flinders admission portal.

Once registered:

• A Flinders Student ID is issued

• A Flinders Authentication Name (FAN) is created

Step 2: Apply for the International HDR Scholarship Group

After receiving (or holding) a valid HDR offer:

1. Log in to the Student System

2. Go to My Scholarships

3. Select Apply for a Scholarship

4. Search for “International RHD Scholarship Group”

5. Complete and submit the application with all required documents

Applicants to the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (AGRTPS) are automatically considered for FIPRS.

Application Deadline Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Applications close: By mid August  (ACST)

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Why FIPRS Is One of the Best Ways to Study in Australia for Free

The Flinders International Research Scholarship stands out because it:

• Is fully funded

• Covers both tuition and living costs

• Prioritizes research excellence

• Supports international scholars with relocation funding

• Allows students to earn a world-class Australian PhD without tuition fees

For students with strong academic backgrounds and research publications, FIPRS represents one of the most realistic pathways to studying in Australia for free.

Final Thoughts Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

If you are an international student with:

• Strong academic performance

• Research experience and publications

• A clear research proposal

then the Flinders International Research Scholarship (FIPRS) is an opportunity you should not miss.