Mary Frances Stephens Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarship in Occupational Therapy

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to an Occupational Therapy PhD student who is undertaking research in occupational therapy.

b. This Scholarship is funded by Mary Frances Stephens Bequest.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant being currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD within the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must have already completed one year of full-time study.

c. Applicants must be conducting research in occupational therapy or a related area.

d. Applicants must have a primary supervisor who is an Occupational Therapist.

e. Applicants must be a recipient of a primary scholarship from the University of Sydney that provides a stipend allowance.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. cover letter detailing interest in subject area, and
III. contact details of two academic referees.

b. Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a selection committee, including 2 Occupational Therapy academics at level D or E (not applicant’s supervisors) and one level D or E academic from another discipline within the Sydney School of Health Sciences.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $10,000 per annum for up to 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. Extension of the Scholarship is not permitted.

c. The commencement date of the Scholarship for a currently enrolled PhD student will be the first day of the Research Period in which the scholarship closing date falls.

d. No other amount is payable.

e. 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 same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship, excluding any additional sick leave and parental leave.

7. Research Overseas

b. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship.

8. Suspension

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship.

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. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health 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. on receipt of another supplementary stipend scholarship(s) that increases the overall supplementary amount paid to more than 75% of the primary amount. In such circumstances, the supplementary stipend scholarship of the higher value prevails,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. 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 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.