Richard Claude Mankin Scholarship - Water Conservation

1. Background

a. Established in 1973 by a bequest with an estimated value of $185,000, comprising the residual estate of Winifred Roby Mankin, the Richard Claude Mankin Scholarship aims to promote and encourage research related to water conservation.

b. A unique opportunity is available for an outstanding Master’s by Research or a PhD scholar in the area of water conservation in two categories:

1. Postgraduate Scholarship
2. Supplementary Scholarship

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicants having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full-time in Masters by Research or a PhD in the Departments of Science and Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be willing to undertake research related to water conservation.

c. Applicants must have completed at least one of the following:

1. Honours degree (First Class or Second Class upper), or
2. Master's degree in a related field with a substantial research component, or
3. an equivalent qualification.

3. Selection Criteria

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

1. academic merit,
2. area of study and research proposal, 
3. curriculum vitae,
4. two academic referees, and
5. a personal statement which demonstrates their interest in research related to water conservation

b. The scholarship will be awarded by the Academic Board on the advice of a committee comprising the Deans of the Faculties of Science, Architecture, Design and Planning, Sydney Business School, Engineering and Information Technologies, and School of Veterinary Science or their nominees.

4. Value

a. The Postgraduate Scholarship will provide an annual stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney's Research Training Program (RTP) rate (indexed to the RTP rate on January One each year) for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance. No extension is possible.

b. A supplementary stipend, the value of which is to be determined by the selection committee may be awarded to an outstanding recipient who is a current primary stipend scholarship recipient.

c. 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 the potential extension period.

d. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant Research Period and cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research.

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 passing the annual progress review.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. Holders of the Scholarship receive up to 20 working days recreation leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued.  Any unused leave when the Scholarship is terminated or completed will be forfeited.  Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading. The supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days sick leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship.  Students with carer responsibility may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carers leave on presentation of medical certificate/s.  Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

c. Holders of the Scholarship may receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks during their scholarship for medically substantiated periods of illness where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under Clause 13 above.  Students applying for additional paid sick leave must do so at the start of absence or as soon as practicable.  Periods of additional paid sick leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship.

d. Once female holders of the Scholarship have completed twelve months of their award, they are entitled to a maximum of twelve weeks paid maternity leave during the tenure of the Scholarship if she is the person who gives birth.  Students applying for paid maternity leave should do so at least four weeks prior to the expected date of confinement.  Periods of paid maternity leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. Holders of the Scholarship who have not completed twelve months of their award may access unpaid maternity leave through the suspension provisions.

e. For non-birth giving scholarship holders, upon completed twelve months of their award, they are entitled to a maximum of 5 days paid paternity leave. Periods of paid paternity leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. Holders of the Scholarship who have not completed twelve months of their award may access unpaid maternity leave through the suspension provisions.

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 Department and 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 fulltime 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 for any reason during the tenure of their Scholarship. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be given by both HDRAC and the head of the department concerned. 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, 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. Unless terminated earlier under this paragraph, the Scholarship will terminate:

1. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their Masters by Research or PhD,
2. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
3. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
4. upon the student having completed 4 years equivalent full-time study for a PhD, or 2 years equivalent full-time study for a Masters by Research,
5. if the recipient receives an alternative primary scholarship,
6. where an alternative supplementary scholarship is awarded that results in the recipient obtaining an overall supplementary amount of more than 75% of the value the primary Scholarship. In such circumstances, if this Scholarship offers the lesser supplementary amount, the supplementary component of this Scholarship will be terminated, or
7. if the student 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:

1. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
2. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
3. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct. c. Stipend payments will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated.

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 paid to the student, the University may require the student to repay stipend amounts and any other payments made to the student 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.