The Sakuko Matsui Postgraduate Travel Scholarship in Japanese Studies

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established to support students completing a PhD in the area of Japanese Studies within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney, to undertake travel to Japan as part of their studies. The Scholarship is to assist students to visit universities, research facilities and other appropriate resources, and activities connected with their research project, located in Japan.

b. The Scholarship is funded by a gift from Professor Sakuko Matsui.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time in a PhD undertaking research in Japanese Studies within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must demonstrate a need to undertake travel to Japan as part of their PhD studies to visit universities, research facilities and other appropriate resources, or for activities connected with their research project.

c. Applicants must be intending to travel to Japan within twelve months of the scholarship application closing date.

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,
III. curriculum vitae, and
IV. a personal statement which demonstrates their need to undertake travel to Japan and how it is connected to their research.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded by the Chair of Japanese Studies.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will be valued at $5,700.

b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a once off payment after receipt of the Scholarship Acceptance Form.

c. Deferral 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 student from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval from the Head of School, School of Languages and Cultures 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 does not undertake relevant travel to Japan as part of their PhD within twelve months of the scholarship application closing date,
VI. if the student does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. if the student 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.

8. Special Conditions

a. The scholarship recipient will be required to provide a statement of their research to the donor. The statement should address the following:

I. The recipient’s name.
II. The recipient’s research project or topic