Peace and Social Justice Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 2024 in recognition of Marty Morrison and a lifetime dedicated to advocating for Education, Peace and Justice. The scholarship aims to support students in a Master of Social Justice at the University of Sydney. 

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled in a Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) or Master of Social Justice (Development Studies) or Master of Social Justice (Peace and Conflict Studies) within the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must not be a recipient of a Commonwealth supported place. 

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of

I. a personal statement (maximum 500 words) that demonstrates: 

I. a commitment to the principles of social justice, peace and human rights, 

II. how the scholarship will support the applicant to undertake their degree, and

III. disadvantage(s) and/or hardship(s) (if applicable). 

II. a letter of recommendation (max 250 words) from a colleague, advisor, or supervisor (in paid work or volunteer capacity) who can comment on the applicant’s commitment to the principles and/or practice of social justice 

b. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial disadvantage and/or hardship based on one or more of the below:

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. identify as LGBTIQ+, and/or

IX. are a first-generation university student.

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

I. the Program Director, Master of Social Justice, and

II. at least two other academics, or 

III. their nominated delegate(s). 

4. Value

a. A recipient enrolled full-time will receive $8,000 in the year of receipt of the scholarship

b. A recipient enrolled part-time will receive $4,000 in the year of receipt of the scholarship.

c. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester.

d. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted 

e. Suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted. 

f. The Scholarship is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

g. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

h. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 65 each semester.

b. Recipients undertaking an exchange during the tenure of this Scholarship are required to have achieved a Satisfied Requirements grade (SR) to receive their next payment.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,

II. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance, 

III. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application, 

IV. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship, or

V. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.

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

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.