University_

The Reverend and Mrs F W A Roberts Prize

A postgraduate research scholarship

A $45,000 primary scholarship or $10,000 supplementary scholarship to support a PhD student studying English.

Highlights

Value Eligibility Open date Close date
$45,000 or $10,000
  • Masters by research or PhD student in English
  • Hold a first class honours 
  • Eligible and apply for RTP stipend scholarship
N/A   N/A 

How to apply

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must apply for a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship. No separate application is required.

Benefits

The scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $45,000 per annum (primary scholarship) or $10,000 per annum (supplementary scholarship) for one year, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

Who's eligible

You must:

  • have an unconditional offer of admission or be enrolled in a full-time master's by research or PhD in English
  • undertake research in the field of English
  • hold a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours in English from the University of Sydney
  • be eligible and apply for an RTP Stipend Scholarship
  • receive a primary stipend scholarship from the University of Sydney (for supplementary scholarship).

Background

Established in 1992, this scholarship is funded by a generous denotation made by Ivan Colban Roberts in memory of the Reverend and Mrs F W A Roberts.

This scholarship support students undertaking research in the field of English.

Terms and conditions

1. Background 

a. Established in 1992, this Scholarship is funded by a generous denotation made by Ivan Colban Roberts in memory of the Reverend and Mrs F. W. A. Roberts.

b. This scholarship support students undertaking research in the field of English.

2. Eligibility 

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled for full-time studies in a Masters by Research or PhD in English at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must undertake research in the field of English. 

c. Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in English from the University of Sydney.

d. Applicants must be eligible and apply for a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship from the University of Sydney. 

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of their application for a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship considering their academic merit for their final honours course and area of study/research proposal. 

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Academic Board on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of:

I. a presiding member of the Academic Board,
II. Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
III. Head of English,  
IV. Postgraduate Research Coordinator, and
V. at least one other senior academic staff in English.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $45,000 per annum for one year, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The Scholarship may be extended for:

I. up to 1 year for a Masters by Research recipient who commenced their candidature prior to the 1 January 2019,
II. up to 0.75 years for a Masters by Research recipient who commenced their candidature on or after the 1 January 2019, or
III. up to 2 years for a PhD recipient.

c. Academic course fees and the Student Services Amenities fee are not provided for an international recipient.

d. If a recipient converts from a Research Masters to a PhD or vice-versa, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

e. 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. 

f. The Scholarship is for commencement in relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without prior approval from the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English.

g. The scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research. 

h. No other amount is payable. 

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

5. Eligibility for Progression 

a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation. 

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. 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 School and the Faculty via application to 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 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 must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC). 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. 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 from the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English 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.

1. Background 

a. Established in 1992, this Scholarship is funded by a generous denotation made by Ivan Colban Roberts in memory of the Reverend and Mrs F. W. A. Roberts.

b. This scholarship support students undertaking research in the field of English.

2. Eligibility 

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled for full-time studies in a Masters by Research or PhD in English at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must undertake research in the field of English.

c. Applicants must also hold a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in English from the University of Sydney. 

d. Applicants must be eligible and apply for a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship from the University of Sydney. 

e. Applicants must receive a primary stipend Scholarship from the University of Sydney.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of their application for a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship considering their academic merit for their final honours course and area of study/research proposal. 

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Academic Board on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of:

I. a presiding member of the Academic Board,
II. Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
III. Head of English,  
IV. Postgraduate Research Coordinator, and
V. at least one other senior academic staff in English.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $10,000 per annum for one year, subject to satisfactory performance.

b. The Scholarship may be extended for:

I. up to 1 year for a Masters by Research recipient who commenced their candidature prior to the 1 January 2019,
II. up to 0.75 years for a Masters by Research recipient who commenced their candidature on or after the 1 January 2019, 
III. up to 2 years for a PhD recipient. 

c. Academic course fees and the Student Services Amenities fee are not provided for an international recipient.

d. If a recipient converts from a Research Masters to a PhD or vice-versa, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

e. 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.  

f. The Scholarship is for commencement in relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without prior approval from the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English.

g. The scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.

h. No other amount is payable.

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

5. Eligibility for Progression 

a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation. 

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary Stipend Scholarship apart from any paid maternity or parental leave conditions.

7. Research Overseas

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship.

8. Suspension

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary 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. 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 from the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English 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. on receipt of another supplementary stipend Scholarship that increases the overall supplementary rate paid to a student to more than 75% of the primary amount. In such circumstances, the supplementary stipend Scholarship of the higher value prevails, 
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.