Dame Leonie Kramer Postgraduate Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to Masters by Research or PhD students who are undertaking research in Australian Literature at the University of Sydney.

b. This gift fund was conducted by an appeal in 1992 in memory of Dame Leonie Kramer, an Australian academic, educator and professor. She is notable as the first female professor of English in Australia, first woman to chair the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the first female chancellor of the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to applicants having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study a Masters by Research or PhD in English and Writing within the School of Art, Communication and English, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must conduct research in Australian Literature.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. area of study and/or research proposal,
III. a personal statement which includes their reasons for seeking funding, and
IV. copy of their latest annual progress evaluation meeting report.

b. Preference will be given to students who can demonstrate financial hardship based on one of the following:

I. identifying as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015,
II. low socio-economic status,
III. carer responsibilities,
IV. long-term medical condition/disability (including ongoing effects of abuse),
V. sole-parent responsibilities,
VI. regional or remote disadvantage,
VII. refugee status,
VIII. identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+), and/or
IX. first in family.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of:

I. the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English or their nominated delegate, and
II. two academic staff members from English and Writing.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $8,000 for both full-time and part-time enrolled recipients.

b. The Scholarship will be paid as a one‐off payment after receipt of the Scholarship Acceptance Form.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and may be deferred with prior approval of the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English.

d. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.

e. No other amount is payable.

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

5. 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,
IV. if the recipient currently holds or receives and accepts an alternative primary scholarship this Scholarship will be determined as a Supplementary scholarship. If the overall supplementary rate paid to the student is more than 75% of the primary amount this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship where it is of higher value,
V. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VI. 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.

6. 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 (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.