Enhanced Business School Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. The Enhanced Business School Research Scholarship (EBSRS) has been developed to support outstanding Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree students within The University of Sydney Business School.

2. Eligibility

a. Candidates who apply for admission for full-time studies in a PhD degree within The University of Sydney Business School by the relevant advertised deadlines will be considered automatically.

b. Candidates who have already commenced their PhD degree at the University of Sydney are not eligible.

c. It is a condition of accepting the EBSRS that awardees withdraw applications for Research Training Program (RTP) funding.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of demonstrated academic achievement and research potential.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of the Associate Dean Research Education, or their nominee, and at least two other academic staff from The University of Sydney Business School.

4. Value and Duration

a. The Scholarship provides an annual stipend (living allowance) for 3.5 years. There is a possibility to extend the Scholarship to up to 4 years for PhD candidates subject to funding availability and with the approval of the Associate Dean Research Education, in accordance with relevant university policy.

b. The value of the stipend is indexed annually on 1 January to the value to the University of Sydney RTP scholarship.

c. Academic tuition fees are also provided for international recipients. International PhD recipients will have academic tuition fees covered for 14 research periods with a possibility to extend to up to 16 research periods subject to funding availability and with the approval of the Associate Dean Research Education, in accordance with relevant university policy.

d. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship, will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship.

e. The Scholarship cannot be deferred without the prior approval of the Associate Dean Research Education, or their nominee, or transferred to another area of research.

f. In addition, recipients may have the opportunity to receive at least $10,000 per year for carrying out specific teaching and/or research activities. Details will be given in the scholarship offer.

g. No other amount is payable.

h. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. Progression is subject to passing the annual progress evaluation, maintaining satisfactory progress in coursework and completing school research milestones.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carer’s leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

7. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of Department and the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC), and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.

8. Suspension

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension for any reason during the tenure of their Scholarship. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be given by both HDRAC and the head of the department concerned. Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, and course transfer. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

10. Conversion Between Research Programs

a. The Scholarship recipient may transfer to an MPhil degree provided such change in candidature is approved by the HDRAC and the School. If the recipient of this award transfers to an MPhil degree, the following limits will apply for the maximum duration of the converted Scholarship (which include the incurred duration):

• Tuition Fees: 7 Research Periods
• Stipend: 1.75 years.

11. Termination

a. Unless terminated according to provisions specified in earlier clauses, the Scholarship will terminate:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,

II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award;

III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis;

IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy;

V. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend or tuition fee scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend or tuition fee scholarship where it is of higher value;

VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or;

VII. if the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave);

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,

II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or

III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

12. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.