Postgraduate Research Progression Scholarship in Australian History

1. Background

a. This Scholarship is to support students undertaking postgraduate research in Australian History to complete their thesis.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled in either a Masters by Research or PhD in History, within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be undertaking research in Australian History.

c. Applicants must not have consumed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy.

d. Applicants must not currently hold another primary stipend scholarship for the intended duration of this Scholarship.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. feedback from one academic referee,
III. a completion plan detailing key milestones and dates in order to submit their thesis, and
IV. personal statement that demonstrates the following:

i. how the fund will support their research, and
ii. disadvantage or hardship, being financial and/or non-financial (if relevant).

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

I. Applicants who will submit their thesis within the next 6 months,
II. Applicants who are able to demonstrate financial hardship based on factors outside of their control.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, or their nominated delegate(s) upon recommendation by the:

I. Chair of History, or their nominated delegate(s), and
II. at least two other academics in History.

4. Value

a. A recipient enrolled full-time will be provided a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate (pro-rata) for up to 6 months, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. A recipient enrolled part-time will be provided with a stipend allowance equivalent to 50% of the full-time stipend rate for the equivalent full-time duration outlined in Clause 4.a, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

c. The recipient may apply for an extension of the stipend allowance for up to 6 months for a full-time recipient or 12 months for a part-time recipient, provided they have not consumed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy.

d. The Scholarship cannot be deferred or 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. Eligibility for Progression

a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The full-time Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year (pro-rata) 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. Pro-rata leave arrangements for part-time recipients.

b. The full-time Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year (pro-rata) 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. Pro-rata leave arrangements for part-time recipients.

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 6 months of their research outside Australia. If the Scholarship is extended, 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 School and the Faculty via application to 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 may apply for up to 6 months, or if the Scholarship is extended up to 12 months, suspension of the Scholarship for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of Scholarship suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC).

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, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

10. 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 receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of higher value,
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.

11. 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 (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 Code of Conduct for Students 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.