1. Background

a. The Architecture, Design and Planning Research Scholarship (ADPRS) has been established to encourage and support outstanding higher degree research (HDR) students within the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

b. The scholarships may be funded by the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, research grants, and/or industry-funded research projects.

c. The scholarships are provided to HDR students who will conduct research in specific areas or research projects under the supervision of designated research supervisors within the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study in a full-time PhD program or in a full-time Master’s by Research program within the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning will be considered automatically. A separate application is not required.

b. Candidates who have already commenced their PhD or Master’s by Research degree must not have consumed more than two research periods of their candidature at the University at the time of consideration.

c. Candidates must meet the admission requirements for a PhD or Master’s by Research program at the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

d. Candidates must be willing to conduct research in areas within the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

e. Where the scholarship is funded by research funds allocated to a specific research supervisor, candidates must conduct research under a specific supervisory team. Details of the research project and relevant research supervisor will be outlined in the scholarship offer letter for successful recipients.

f. It is a condition of accepting the ADPRS that awardees withdraw applications for the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships, excluding the RTP Tuition fee offset for domestic students.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit as per application of HDR degree admission,
II. area of study and research proposal, and/or
III. other evidence of research potential and impact,
IV. Funding availability, where the scholarship is funded by a grant allocated to a specific research supervisor.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s), and the Associate Dean (Research Education), Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship may be awarded for up to the following duration, subject to satisfactory academic performance:

I. up to seven research periods for a Master’s by Research recipient (full-time equivalent). No possible extension.
II. up to fourteen research periods for a PhD recipient (full-time equivalent). No possible extension.

b. The Scholarship will provide a minimum stipend value of $27,000 per annum.

c. The Scholarship duration and value will be determined by the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the time of award. The details will be stipulated in the Scholarship Offer Letter issued to the successful recipient(s).

d. 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 any potential extension period.

e. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without prior approval.

f. Subject to funding availability and prior approval from the relevant lead supervisor and the Associate Dean (Research Education), Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, if a scholarship recipient converts from a Master’s by Research to a PhD, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

g. The Scholarship recipient cannot transfer the Scholarship to another area of research or change their supervisory team as indicated at the time of award. Changing the research project or supervisory team may affect the entitlement to continue receiving the Scholarship. Approval to continue to receive the Scholarship for a different research project or supervisory team is at the sole discretion of the Associate Dean (Research Education) Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, or their nominee.

h. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

i. No other amount is payable.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. The Scholarship is maintained by attending and passing the annual progress evaluation, including all the required candidature milestones and remaining enrolled in their HDR degree.

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 lead 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 carers leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their lead supervisor as soon as practicable.

7. Research Overseas

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

b. The Scholarship recipient may conduct up to four research periods of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's lead supervisor, Head of School and 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 two research periods of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 4 research periods of suspension for any reason during the tenure of their Scholarship. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be given by both HDRAC and the School of Architecture, Design and Planning Associate Dean (Research Education). 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 lead supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, and course transfer. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid scholarship.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained from the relevant research supervisor and the Associate Dean (Research Education), School of Architecture, Design and Planning via HDRAC to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. if the recipient changes their research project or specific supervisory team without prior approval,
V. upon the student having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney Research Training Program and Higher Degree by Research Scholarships Policy 2026,
VI. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of equal or higher value,
VII. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VIII. if the student ceases to meet any of the 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 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 of funding source

a. Where the scholarship is funded or co-funded by external research grants:

I. The research project, funder and supervisory team will be specified in the scholarship offer letter at time of award.
II. The scholarship recipient is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by a project participant 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 project participant as appropriate, or authorised by law or Parliament to disclose.
III. Where indicated in the scholarship offer letter, the scholarship recipient 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.
IV. The scholarship recipient may be required to acknowledge the contribution of the source of funding as indicated in the scholarship offer letter in their thesis or publications which relate to the research project for which the scholarship was awarded. If applicable this will be indicated by the relevant research supervisor.
V. Additional conditions, including but not limited to, Intellectual Property, Confidentiality, reporting, publications and acknowledgment may also apply as advised by the relevant supervisory team.