DIN Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarship in Digital Twin Capability for Solid Rocket Motor

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD student who is undertaking research related to digital twin capability for solid rocket motor through life support.
b. This Scholarship is funded by the Defence Innovation Network (DIN).

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 within the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be an Australian citizen.

c. Applicants must be willing to conduct research into digital twin capability for solid rocket motor through life support.

d. Applicants must be supervised by Professor Matthew Cleary at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney.

e. Applicants must be a recipient of a primary scholarship from the University of Sydney that provides a stipend allowance valued at the Research Training Program (RTP) rate.

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 provide a stipend allowance of $5,500 (Fixed Amount) per annum for up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. 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.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval from the supervisor.

d. No other amount is payable.

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

5. Eligibility for Progression

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

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship, excluding any additional sick leave and parental leave.

7. Research Overseas

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship.

8. Suspension

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC, the Defence Innovation Network 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 stipend.

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 has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from DIN and the research supervisor,
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. on receipt of another supplementary stipend scholarship(s) that increases the overall supplementary amount paid to a student to more than 75% of the primary amount. In such circumstances, the supplementary stipend scholarship of the higher value prevails,
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 (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

12. Reporting

a. The successful recipient may be required to provide or contribute to annual progress reports, project brief and/or a final project presentation to the DIN.