Faculty of Engineering Career Advancement Award

1. Background

a. This award has been established to enable students who have shown strong potential to pursue positions in academia and/or industry, through the opportunity to complete a project or improve their publication record in advance of their oral examination.

b. The award is funded by the Faculty of Engineering.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy degree within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must apply within 6 months of their expected thesis submission date.

c. At the start of the award, the successful recipient must be under examination and must have chosen 'Oral examination' as their mode of examination for their thesis.

d. The recipient must not have consumed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy upon submission of their thesis.

3. Selection Criteria

a. Eligible candidates will be assessed on the basis of:

I. curriculum vitae indicating the expected date of thesis submission,
II. a recommendation letter from their lead supervisor,
III. previous research experience demonstrated through a publication largely authored by the applicant with an authorship statement outlining the contributions made by the applicant to the research and the writing of the paper, and
IV. research proposal with a minimum of 2 pages.

b. The successful recipient will be awarded the Faculty of Engineering Career Advancement Award on nomination by the Associate Dean Research Education of the Faculty of Engineering.

4. Value
a. This award will provide a total allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate per annum (pro-rata) for up to 6 months (indexed on 1 January each year), subject to satisfactory academic performance. No extension is possible.

b. The payment will be made in two equal instalments during the award period. The first payment upon confirmation from the Supervisor that the project has commenced and the project plan was received. The second instalment will be made 3 months after project commencement and provided an interim project report has been received and deemed acceptable by the Supervisor.

c. The award cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research.

d. No other amount is payable.

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

5. Termination

a. The award will be terminated:

I. If the recipient fails to comply with clause 2c and 4b of these terms and conditions,
II. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
III. if the recipient receives an alternative stipend scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of higher value, or.
IV. if the recipient does not submit thesis by their due date,
V. if the recipient is employed full-time,
VI. if the recipient is overseas for the majority of the award.

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 award will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the award has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

6. Misconduct

a. Where during the award a recipient engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the award or in connection with the recipient’s application and eligibility for the award), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the recipient to repay payments made in connection with the award. 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 award.

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.

7. Other Requirements

a. The successful recipient is expected to commit to work on their research outputs for the duration of the Award and not to be engaged in full-time employment.

b. The recipient is also expected to remain in Australia to conduct their research whilst receiving this Award.