Irvine Armstrong Watson Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 1987 by a gift from Mrs Loloma Watson and her family in memory of their husband and father, Emeritus Professor Irvine Armstrong Watson, to promote studies in the disciplines of agricultural genetics, biometry, plant breeding and plant pathology.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicant must be enrolled full-time or have an unconditional offer of admission for full-time studies in a Masters by Research or PhD within the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicant must be undertaking research in agricultural genetics, biometry, plant breeding or plant pathology affiliated to the Sydney Institute of Agriculture.

c. Applicant must not have previously received this Scholarship.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. research proposal,
III. curriculum vitae, and
IV. a personal statement that outlines the applicant’s interest and experience in one or more of the following areas of research agricultural genetics, biometry, plant breeding or plant pathology.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the Dean of the Faculty of Science, or their nominee.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $1,000 paid as a one-off payment upon award. Commencing students will only be paid upon enrolment in their relevant research program.

b. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Director of Sydney Institute of Agriculture (or their nominee), and it is not transferable to another faculty, University school or university.

c. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

d. No other amount is payable.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. Not applicable.

6. 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, or
IV. 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.

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. Other Conditions

a. The personal details of the scholarship recipient may be provided to the Trustee of the Irvine Armstrong Watson Scholarship. These details include and are limited to the name, course, area of study of the scholarship recipient.