Dr Joan R Clark Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. Awarded to a PhD student in Inorganic Chemistry to assist with costs of travel and subsistence while pursuing their research at a leading overseas university for a period of between 6 and 26 weeks.

b. Established in 1999, this scholarship is funded by the gifts from Dr Joan R Clark, a distinguished mineral crystallographer, in appreciation of her visit to the School of Chemistry as a Senior Fulbright Scholar in chemical crystallography in 1962.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant being currently enrolled to study PhD within the School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney.

b. The applicant must be conducting research in connection with their doctoral thesis in a leading university overseas for a period of not less than six weeks and not more than 26 weeks in inorganic chemistry.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. the importance of the proposed research at an overseas university in relation to the applicant's doctoral thesis topic as specified in personal statement including description of travel plans, and
III. the availability of specialised research resources and/or outstanding research supervision at the overseas university nominated by the applicant.

a. In keeping with the donor's scientific interests, preference shall be given to applicants whose research includes the determination of inorganic chemical structures by diffraction or other physical techniques.

b. The scholarship shall be awarded by the Dean of the Faculty of Science on the joint recommendation of the Professor or Professors with primary responsibility for research and teaching in inorganic chemistry and the Head of the School of Chemistry to a PhD candidate whose thesis research topic is mainly in the area of inorganic chemistry.

4. Value

a. The value of the scholarship shall be determined on an individual basis by the Head of the School of Chemistry on the recommendation of the Professor or Professors with primary responsibility for research and teaching in inorganic chemistry.

b. It is expected that the value shall be sufficient to cover the holder's expenses for return travel and subsistence during a continuous period of residence and will be mentioned in the offer letter.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval.

d. No other amount is payable.

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

5. 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 conduct the overseas research travel, 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.

6. 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.