Philipp Hofflin International Research Travel Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2010 with a gift from Dr Philipp Hofflin, a University of Sydney graduate, this Scholarship aims to support outstanding PhD students in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, to explore research collaborations on a global scale.

b. The Scholarship supports leading PhD students to interact with research mathematicians over a period of up to two months at a chosen international host institution.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a PhD within the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must have completed one full-time year of their PhD but not more than 2 full time years of their PhD and should have successfully passed their annual progress evaluation.

c. Applicants must be travelling to an international host institution to undertake research related to their PhD for a period of up to two months.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. research proposal and direction,
III. a personal statement outlining the applicants demonstrated capacity of future influence and leadership,
IV. travel proposal which details:
i. details on the host institution,
ii. the researchers the applicant intends to visit,
iii. importance of the proposed research in relation to the applicant’s PhD, and
iv. budget.
V. evidence that the host institution is willing to allow the applicant to visit and undertake the proposed research.

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

c. The Scholarship will be awarded on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of the Head of School – Mathematics and Statistics, or their nominee and at least one other academic staff member from the School.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at a maximum of $7,000 with the total amount awarded depending on the submitted budget and value of the proposed visit to the applicant’s research. The amount awarded will be indicated in the offer letter.

b. The scholarship value is to be used for one return economy airfare from Sydney to the Host institution and travel cost which includes living expenses.

c. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in one payment upon award.

d. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Head of School – Mathematics and Statistics and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

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

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. Recipients must remain enrolled in their PhD and undertake the planned visit and complete their associated research.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. does not undertake the approved visit,
III. does not successfully complete the visit and associated research,
IV. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
V. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,
VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

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. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

d. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

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 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.