Next Generation Emerging Technologies Scholarship

1.       Background

a.       This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance and support to a PhD student who is undertaking research relevant to the next generation of technology program “digital engineering for device on demand”.

b.       This Scholarship is funded by CSIRO’s Next Generation Graduates program.

c.       The Next Generation Graduates program is working in partnership with industry and universities to grow a pipeline of home-grown, job ready graduates to unlock the immense economic opportunity offered by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, such as robotics, cyber security, quantum computing, blockchain and data.

2.       Eligibility

a.       Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen, or Australian Permanent Resident.

b.       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 Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

c.       Applicants must hold an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class) or a First Class or Second-Class Equivalent Degree or a master’s degree.

d.       Applicants must be willing to conduct research related to the next generation of technology specialist area “digital engineering for device-on-demand”.

e.       Applicant must meet the requirements for CSIRO Student affiliate onboarding (e.g. satisfy National Police Check)

f.        Applicant must not be subject to an obligation to a third party to provide that third party with rights to any Intellectual Property created in the course of their degree.

g.       Applicant must be able to gain and maintain Australian Government security clearance at the level of Baseline, as per Commonwealth Government requirements.

3.       Selection Criteria

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

                                 i.            academic merit,

                               ii.            curriculum vitae and

                             iii.            area of study and/or research proposal.

b.       The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the chief investigator and relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s).

4.       Value

a.        The Scholarship will have a value of:

                                 I.            a stipend allowance of AUD $40,500 per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

                               II.            $5,000 p.a. of training allowance for 3 years,

                             III.            $5,000 one-off payment for travel allowance, and

                            IV.            $840 one off payment for thesis allowance

b.       The PhD recipient is encouraged to complete their PhD in 3 years but may apply for an extension of the primary stipend allowance for up to 6 months.

c.       The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered. Recipients can defer the Scholarship for up to three research periods subject to the approval of their Lead Supervisor and CSIRO.  Deferment of the Scholarship for more than three research periods is considered on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean (Research Education), or their nominee.

d.       Recipients cannot transfer the Scholarship to another area of research or change their lead supervisor without the prior approval of the Associate Dean (Research Education) and chief investigator, or their nominee.

e.       No other amount is payable.

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

7.       Research Overseas

a.       Scholarship recipients commencing in Australia may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b.       Scholarship recipients commencing in Australia may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's lead supervisor, Head of School, Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) , CSIRO and DSTG 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 to suspend must be given by HDRAC, the Associate Dean (Research Education), CSIRO and DSTG. 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, CSIRO, DSTG, chief investigator 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,

                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 (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.   Intellectual Property

a.       The successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.

13. Thesis

Agrees to license Defence to copy the Student’s thesis for Defence Purposes, with that licence being perpetual, non-exclusive and royalty-free and having world-wide effect

13.   Placements

a.       The scholarship recipient must undertake a placement with their supervising Participant. The placements (including the commencement date and timing of the placements) will be decided in collaboration with the scholarship recipient, the University supervisor(s) and the Participant(s) to ensure that it is appropriate for all parties

14.   Other requirements

1. The scholarship recipient will be required to enter into a tripartite scholarship agreement between CSIRO and the University of Sydney   and must comply with all terms and conditions outlined in that tripartite agreement. These conditions will be  related but not limited to intellectual property, Thesis, publication, acknowledgment, and confidentiality.