The Maria Teresa Savio Hooke Fieldwork Scholarship in Italian Studies

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to PhD students who are conducting fieldwork for the purposes of research in Italian Studies.

b. This Scholarship is funded by a donation from Maria Teresa Savio Hooke.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled to study in a PhD in Italian Studies, School of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be conducting research in the field of Italian Studies.

c. Applicants must be applying for funding to be used for fieldwork for the specified research project only.

d. Applicants must stay in Italy for a minimum of 3 months.

e. Applicants must be applying for funding for expenses they expect to incur and prior to spending. Funds may not normally be applied for retrospective funding.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. a personal statement including a project description and justification of the fieldwork (around 500 words),
II. an itemised budget,
III. progress evaluation, and
IV. track record (Curriculum Vitae).

b. Preference will be given to applicants in the following order:

I. applicants undertaking research in the areas of the culture of Renaissance Italy which may advance the understanding of contemporary societies, then
II. applicants who can demonstrate financial hardship or other form(s) of disadvantage based on at least one of the following:

i. identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.
ii. low socio-economic status,
iii. carer responsibilities,
iv. long-term medical condition/disability (including ongoing effects of abuse),
v. sole-parent responsibilities,
vi. regional or remote disadvantage,
vii. refugee status,
viii. identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+), and/or
ix. first in family to attend University.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by a selection committee consisting of:

I. the Chair of Italian Studies or their nominated delegate, and
II. one other academic staff member in Italian Studies.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $8,300 for both full-time and part-time enrolled recipients.

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

c. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Head of School, School of Languages and Cultures.

d. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.

e. No other amount is payable.

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

5. 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.

6. 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. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
IV. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
V. 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.

7. 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.