Raymond Debus Completion Scholarship in Education

A postgraduate research scholarship

This scholarship supports students undertaking research in the field of Education.

Highlights

Value Eligibility Open date Close date
University of Sydney RTP stipend rate (pro-rata) for up to 6 months
  • Master's by research or PhD student 
  • Honours or graduates of Sydney School of Education and Social Work
  • Undertaking research in the field of Education
30 November 2023 31 January 2024

How to apply

Apply here.

Benefits

This scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate (pro-rata) for up to 6 months, subject to satisfactory academic performance. No extension is possible.

Who's eligible

You must:

  • be enrolled in a full-time master's by research or PhD in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work 
  • be undertaking research in the field of Education
  • be honours or graduates in the field of education of Sydney School of Education and Social Work
  • be expecting to complete your degree within the next six months
  • not have used more than the maximum candidature for your degree
  • not hold another primary stipend scholarship for the intended duration of this scholarship.

Background

The Raymond Debus Completion Scholarship is to support a student enrolled in a postgraduate research degree in the area of Education to compete the writing up of their thesis based on their research.

This scholarship is funded by a bequest made by Associate Professor Raymond L Debus, who taught and researched in the area of educational psychology at the University of Sydney from 1958 to 1996.

1. Background

a. The Raymond Debus Completion Scholarship is to support a student enrolled in a postgraduate research degree in the area of Education to complete the writing up of their thesis based on their research.

b. This scholarship is funded by a bequest made by Associate Professor Raymond L Debus, who taught and researched in the area of educational psychology at the University of Sydney from 1958 to 1996.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled for full-time studies in either a Masters by Research or PhD within the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be undertaking research in the field of Education.

c. Applicants must be honours or graduates, in the field of education of Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney.

d. Applicants must have a reasonable expectation of completion of their research degree within the next 6 months.

e. Applicants must not have consumed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy.

f. Applicants must not currently hold another primary stipend scholarship for the intended duration of this Scholarship.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. an outline of their current progress and plan for completion of their thesis, and
III. a personal statement which includes reasons for seeking funding.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the School of Education and Social Work Postgraduate Research Scholarship Selection Committee consisting of:

I. Head of School, School of Education and Social Work or their nominated delegate(s),
II. Postgraduate Research Coordinator or their nominated delegate(s), and
III. one other academic staff member.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate (pro-rata and indexed on 1 January each year) for up to 6 months, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. No extension is possible.

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

d. No other amount is payable.

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

5. Leave Arrangements

a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year (pro-rata) 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 (pro-rata) 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.

6. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas during the tenure of this Scholarship.

7. Suspension

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award.

8. 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, 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.

9. Termination

a. The Scholarship will terminate:

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 from the Head of School, School of Education and Social Work 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.

10. 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.