The GHD Foundation PhD Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship is funded by GHD Foundation to provide financial assistance to international research students within Faculty of Engineering to undertake research in humanitarian engineering.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission for full-time enrolment in a PhD program within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be an international student and citizens from either Fiji, Papua New Guinea or the Philippines.

c. Applicant must undertake research in humanitarian engineering.

d. Applicant must also hold at least one of the following in a related field:

I. an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent or
II. a Master’s degree or equivalent.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. area of study and/or research proposal, and
III. curriculum vitae.

b. Preference will be given to applicants:

I. Who can provide evidence that they are the first member of their immediate family to undertake study at a tertiary, and/or
II. Who need financial assistance by considering their financial circumstances.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of Head of School (School of Civil Engineering), on recommendation of the relevant research supervisor or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate per annum (indexed on 1 January each year) for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The Scholarship will also provide below which will be reimbursed against the receipts submitted to research supervisor and faculty/school finance team:

I. Total of $5,000 as the relocation cost and
II. Total of $35,000 to support the expenses associated with the recipient’s research and the dissemination of the research while undertaking the study at the University of Sydney.

c. The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is also provided up to fourteen research periods for a PhD recipient (full-time equivalent), subject to satisfactory academic performance.

d. 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.

e. 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 from the original scholarship start date, subject to the approval of their Lead Supervisor as confirmed by an approved deferral of admission.

f. Deferment of Scholarship for more than three research periods is considered on a case-by-case basis by the Head of School (School of Civil Engineering) and Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Engineering or their nominee.

g. The Scholarship recipient cannot transfer the Scholarship to another area of research.

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

i. No other amount is payable.

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

7. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship recipient may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's lead supervisor, Head of School 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 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 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 Faculty of Engineering Associate Dean (Research Education). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

c. Suspensions for more than 12 months may be considered for this Scholarship on a case-by-case basis if approved by the Head of School (School of Civil Engineering) and Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Engineering.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their lead 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 and SSAF.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained from the Head of School (School of Civil Engineering) and Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Engineering via HDRAC to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. upon the student 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 and/or SSAF scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend and/or SSAF scholarship where it is of equal or higher value,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. 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:

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,
III. the student fails to attend and pass their annual progress evaluation and complete 12 credit points of HDR coursework units by the end of year 2, or
IV. 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.