Faculty of Science Research Tuition Fee Scholarship

1. Background

a. Funded by the Faculty of Science, this tuition fee scholarship aims to support students undertaking research within a School in the Faculty of Science.

b. Demonstrates the Faculty’s aspirations for quality in the HDR cohort and the contribution of HDR students to the University's overarching research mission and strategy.

c. This Scholarship is designed to cover the academic course fees of an international student undertaking a higher degree by research and whom has been awarded a scholarship based on merit following a competitive application process.

2. Eligibility

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

b. A candidate without an unconditional offer of admission may be nominated and be issued with a conditional scholarship offer however, an unconditional scholarship offer will only be offered once the candidate has an unconditional offer of admission.

c. Candidates with part-time candidature are eligible for this scholarship provided they are able to do so under conditions of their Visa and the conditions of their stipend scholarship.

d. Candidates must be undertaking research in one of the eight Schools in the Faculty of Science.

e. Candidates must be an international student.

f. Candidates must also hold at least one of the following:

I. an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent in a relevant discipline, or
II. Masters degree with a substantial research component.

g. Candidates must hold a primary stipend HDR scholarship awarded on merit following a competitive process and is

I. funded through university (central, faculty or school) funds, or
II. funded through external funds in whole or in part, and
III. has an annual value of $20,000 or more, and
IV. does not offer full fee support for academic course fees,

h. Candidates who hold a primary stipend HDR scholarship awarded by the University of Sydney that includes partial fee support of academic course fees are also eligible.

i. Candidates in receipt of a wholly externally funded stipend and fee scholarship are not eligible.

j. Candidates who hold a HDR scholarship funded by a gift or bequest, in addition to the Faculty of Science Tuition Fee Scholarship terms and conditions, the terms and conditions of the gift or bequest will also continue to apply.

k. Any other eligibility criteria may be approved by the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Science.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit and
II. previous research experience, which includes relevant professional experience, scholarly publications and other relevant research output.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the Associate Dean (Research Education).

4. Value

a. This Scholarship will provide academic course fees for a successful candidate in receipt of a primary scholarship that does not include academic course fees, subject to satisfactory academic performance for:

I. up to seven research periods for Masters by Research students;
II. up to twelve research periods for PhD students.

b. This Scholarship will cover the difference in academic course fess for a successful candidate in receipt of a scholarship that includes partial academic course fees, subject to satisfactory academic performance for:

I. up to seven research periods for Masters by Research students;
II. up to twelve research periods for PhD students.

c. Where a stipend scholarship permits an upgrade from a Masters by Research to a PhD, the duration of this Scholarship will cover the same period as the primary stipend scholarship for up to twelve research periods.

d. The PhD scholarship recipient is encouraged to complete their degree in three years but may apply for an extension of the academic course fees (full or partial) for up to two research periods, provided their scholarship has been extended for the same duration.

e. Masters by Research students are not eligible for an extension.

f. This scholarship does not cover the Student Services and Amenities Fees.

g. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship excluding the potential extension period.

h. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and may be deferred to another research periods within the same calendar year. Approval for deferral to next calendar year may only be permitted with prior approval from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Science. Transfer to another area of research is not permitted without prior approval Associate Dean (Research Education),, Faculty of Science .

i. No other amount is payable.

j. 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.

b. The Scholarship recipient must retain their primary stipend scholarship.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. Not applicable.

7. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The recipient is required to follow official advice from the University and Department of Foreign Affairs and Travel in light of travel restrictions due to Covid-19.

c. 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.

d. In addition, further approval may be required as outlined in the University of Sydney’s Covid-19 Response Plan.

e. 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.

f. If the recipient is conducting research outside of Australia, the recipient acknowledges that the University of Sydney is not liable for any costs incurred. This includes but is not limited to: cost of travel and transfers (unless stated under section 4 (Value) of this scholarship to amount listed), delays due to travel restrictions or State and/or Federal quarantine requirements on their return to Australia.

8. Suspension

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

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 tuition fees.

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,
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 receives an alternative primary tuition fee scholarship that covers 100% of the tuition fees. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative tuition fee scholarship where it is of higher value,
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. If 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.