China Scholarship Council Postgraduate Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD student who receives a stipend Scholarship from the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

b. This Scholarship is funded by the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

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

b. Applicants must have received a stipend scholarship from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) as part of the joint scholarship program between the University of Sydney and the China Scholarship Council.

c. Applicants must be citizens of the People’s Republic of China.

d. At the time of application, applicants must not be:

I. working or studying in Australia, and
II. aged over 35 years.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit, and
II. area of study and/or research proposal.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will cover the value of the recipient’s tuition fees for up to 14 research periods, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF) will not be covered by the Scholarship.

c. The Scholarship is to commence by the deadline indicated in the recipient(s) Scholarship Offer Letter. It cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval from the Scholarships Office and the relevant Faculty.

d. The Scholarship value will be paid directly towards the student’s tuition fees of the applicable research period(s).

e. No other amount is payable.

f. 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. Parental Leave

a. Once a Scholarship recipient has completed twelve months of their award, they are entitled to one research period of parental leave during the tenure of the Scholarship. Students applying for parental leave should do so at least four weeks prior leave commencement date. Periods of parental leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. Holders of the Scholarship who have not completed twelve months of their award may access parental leave through the suspension provisions. When applying for parental leave, applicant should include at least one of the following documents:

I. a letter from medical professional related to pregnancy,
II. a surrogacy agreement,
III. birth certificate of the child,
IV. adoption documents, or
V. documentation that substantiates the application.

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, China Scholarship Council 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 from the Faculty and China Scholarship Council 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. 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. 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 Conditions

a. Any other conditions outlined University of Sydney Scholarship Offer.