Faculty of Science CSC Supplementary Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to HDR students who hold a China Scholarship Council (CSC) Primary Stipend Scholarship and are undertaking research in the Faculty of Science.

b. The Faculty of Science CSC Supplementary Scholarship aims to promote equity and support outstanding postgraduate research students by bridging the gap between the China Scholarship Council (CSC) stipend and the University of Sydney RTP stipend rate. This scholarship ensures that all Science PhD students receiving the CSC stipend have financial support, enabling them to focus on their academic and research endeavours.

c. The scholarship may be fully funded by the Faculty of Science or co-funded by external research grants, gift accounts or industry-funded projects.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the candidate having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD within a School in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. Candidates must be international students.

c. Candidates must be a recipient of a primary scholarship from China Scholarship Council that provides a stipend allowance.

d. Candidates must be nominated by Faculty of Science and/or University of Sydney for an HDR tuition fees scholarship.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of Associate Dean Research Education (Faculty of Science) or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the difference between the primary CSC stipend scholarship and the University of Sydney RTP rate (indexed on January 01 each year) up to 3 years with a possible 6 months extension, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The annual value and duration of the scholarship will be mentioned in the scholarship offer letter at the time of award.

c. The recipient must notify Scholarships Office within 1 week of any change in their primary CSC stipend scholarship or upon accepting any additional ongoing supplementary stipend scholarships.

d. For recipients receiving additional ongoing supplementary stipend scholarships from the University of Sydney, the Faculty of Science reserves the right to adjust the value of this Scholarship to match a total stipend value (i.e. primary plus supplementary scholarships) equivalent to the University of Sydney RTP rate for that year.

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

f. No other amount is payable.

g. 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 Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year 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.

b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year 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.

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 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 cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for 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). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the 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 to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from Faculty of Science,
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 resume study at the end of a period of approved leave,
VI. if the recipient ceases to hold a CSC primary stipend scholarship,
VII. if the student accepts another University of Sydney supplementary stipend scholarship where the total combined value (i.e. primary plus additional supplementary) exceeds the University of Sydney RTP rate for that year. In such circumstances, the supplementary stipend scholarship of the higher value prevails, or
VIII. 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.

12. Other requirements

a. Where the scholarship is co-funded by the Faculty of Science and external research grants, gift accounts or industry funded projects, the successful recipient may be required to comply with other conditions related to the research grant such as but not limited to intellectual property, confidentiality, publication and acknowledgement requirements. Where applicable it will be outlined in the scholarship offer letter and these requirements may be as follows:

I. Intellectual Property - Where indicated, the successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney to cover any jointly created Intellectual Property during the course of the project.

II. Confidentiality - Where indicated, the successful applicant is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by the funder organisation or the University of Sydney confidential and ensure it is not disclosed to a third party without the prior written consent of the University of Sydney or the funder organisation as appropriate, or as required by law.

III. Publications and Acknowledgement - Where indicated, the successful scholarship recipient must acknowledge the support of their scholarship in any media, publications or presentations arising from the research. This must include where applicable, acknowledgement of funding source and comply with their guidelines.