Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence (DFSV) Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to support impact-driven, interdisciplinary research that bridges academia, government, and frontline services. Successful supervision teams will contribute to a growing community of practice, supporting research translation and real-world outcomes.

b. The Scholarship is funded by the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research Training, University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicant must be:

i. a candidate for PhD admission, at the University of Sydney Law School,

ii. supervised by Dr. Rachel Killean, the University of Sydney Law School, and Prof. Tyrone Kirchengast, the University of Sydney Law School, and

iii. prepared to conduct research project: The Possibilities of In-Trial Legal Representation for Sexual Offence Victims and Survivors in Australia

b. Applicants must hold at least one of the following academic qualifications:

i. an Honours degree (First Class) or equivalent, or

ii. Masters degree with a substantial research component

c. Applicants’ academic qualification(s) must be related to following fields of study

i. Law

ii. Criminology, or 

iii. A related criminal justice field (e.g. sociology)

3. Selection Criteria

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

i. academic merit,

ii. curriculum vitae, and

iii. a personal statement that demonstrates their suitability for the research project, including relevant research and professional experience

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Training) on a nomination of the research supervisor. 

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $42,000 per annum (index yearly on 1 January) for up to 14 research periods, 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 the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without prior approval from the research supervisor. 

d. Recipients cannot transfer the Scholarship to another area of research or change their supervisor.

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. Leave Arrangements

a. Recreational Leave

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 supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. Personal Leave

Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days personal leave every 4 research periods of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship.

c. Additional Paid Personal Leave

Holders of the Scholarship may receive additional paid personal leave of up to a total of 60 working days during the life of the Scholarship for medically substantiated periods of illness or family caring responsibilities where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under Clause “Personal Leave” above.  Students applying for additional paid personal leave must do so at the start of absence or as soon as practicable.  Periods of additional paid personal leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. 

d. Parental Leave

Once holders of the Scholarship have completed 4 research periods of their award, they are entitled to a maximum of twenty weeks paid parental leave for each child during the tenure of the Scholarship. Students applying for paid parental leave should do so at least four weeks prior leave commencement date.  Periods of paid parental leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. Holders of the Scholarship who have not completed 4 research periods of their award may access unpaid parental leave through the suspension provisions.  When applying for parental leave, applicant should include at least one of the following documents:

i. 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. 

e. Other Paid Leave

Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days paid family and domestic violence leave every 4 research periods of the Scholarship. This does not accrue over the tenure of the Scholarship.  Periods of additional paid family and domestic violence leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship.

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). HDRAC will consult with Scholarship Office to confirm funding availability for the period of suspension. 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 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 stipend.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

i. on resignation or withdrawal of the 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 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. 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 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.