Research Training Scheme: What is the Research Training Scheme (RTS)?
The RTS is a Commonwealth Government funded performance-based scheme that “aims to recognise and reward those institutions that provide high-quality research training environments and support excellent and diverse research activities.” See Research Training Scheme (RTS) on the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website. It provides funding to universities to support the training of research students, including funding for fee-exempt places for students enrolled in higher degrees by research (HDR). Prior to the commencement of RTS on 1 September 2000, the Commonwealth Government allocated universities a certain number of Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)-exempt scholarships to fund postgraduate research students. In comparison and very simplistically, RTS funds universities by the number of students it attracts, rewarding universities that are most able to attract students, presumably due to the high-quality environment and resources they provide. For mor
