Dr Helen Marchant-Pritchard Memorial Scholarship

1. Background

a. The Scholarship was established in 1987 following donations received from the family, friends and colleagues of Helen Marchant, a distinguished teacher and researcher in the Department of Social Work.

b. This Scholarship is to assist a Masters by Research or a PhD scholar to undertake research in the areas of social welfare and social work.

c. The purpose of the Scholarship is to assist with the:

I. costs of materials, equipment, or services to support the intended research,
II. travel costs to attend conferences, complete data collection or undertake research internationally, interstate or outside Sydney, or
III. other costs related to the conduct of research.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled for full-time studies in a Masters by Research or PhD within the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney at the time of scholarship application closing date.

b. Applicants must undertake research in the field of social work and/or social policy in at least one of the following areas:

I. social work and social change,
II. gender and social welfare,
III. women, work and technology,
IV. immigration, or
V. social welfare and social work.

c. Applicants must also hold an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class upper) or a Master's degree in a related field with a substantial research component, or equivalent.

d. Applicants must have a professional background in social work and/or social policy.

e. Applicants must be applying for funding to assist with:

I. costs of materials, equipment, or services to support the intended research,
II. travel costs to attend conferences, complete data collection or undertake research internationally, interstate or outside Sydney, or
III. other costs related to the conduct of research.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. area of study and research proposal (no more than two pages),
III. curriculum vitae including relevant work experience and list of publications,
IV. proposed budget including any current or other possible sources of funds,
V. proposed itinerary,
VI. a letter of reference from a supervisor, and
VII. a personal statement which demonstrates their need for the scholarship.

b. The scholarship will be awarded by the Sydney School of Education and Social Work Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Scholarship Selection Committee.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will have a maximum value of $6,000. The exact value of the Scholarship will be determined by the selection committee and outlined in the recipient’s Scholarship Offer Letter.

b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a lump sum payment on receipt of the Scholarship Acceptance Form.

c. The Scholarship cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval of the Head of School, Sydney School of Education and Social Work.

d. No other amount is payable.

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

5. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

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 from the Head of School, Sydney School of Education and Social Work 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 does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VI. 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.

6. 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.

7. Report

a. Scholarship recipients are required to provide a report on how the Scholarship assisted with their studies on completion of the research or the part of the research supported by the Scholarship.

b. Any published work arising from the Scholarship should be duly acknowledged.

8. Other Requirements

a. Recipients are required to maintain receipts for up to one year for all costs incurred that are relevant to this Scholarship.

b. Recipients may be required to produce these receipts if requested by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.