1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to support outstanding PhD students who are undertaking research into artificial intelligence technologies from legal and socio-technical perspectives.

b. Funded through a generous gift from the Yim Family Foundation, these scholarships aim to foster innovative, interdisciplinary research that advances understanding of AI’s impact on society, law, and governance.

c. The Centre for AI, Trust and Governance’s mission is enhancing understanding of trust in society and advancing safety, governance, and law in relation to AI. The Centre’s research themes include AI and Digital Creative Industries; AI, Platforms and Information; AI, Law and Policy; AI, Education and Equity; AI, Organisations and Work; and/or Civic Tech and Participation.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission to study full-time in a PhD within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or the University of Sydney Law School at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must conduct research into enhancing our understanding of AI uses and its impact on society.

c. Applicants must conduct research that aligns with the Centre for AI, Trust and Governance’ mission and research themes.

d. Applicants must also hold at least one of the following in humanities, arts and social sciences:

I. an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent, or
II. Masters degree with a substantial research component.

e. Applicants must be a recipient of a primary scholarship from the University of Sydney that provides a stipend allowance.

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,
III. curriculum vitae,
IV. feedback from two academic referees,
V. previous research experience, and
VI. a personal statement which demonstrates:
i. excellent research skills,
ii. alignment with the Centre’s mission and research themes,
iii. interdisciplinary research approach,
iv. academic merit and research excellence,
v. commitment to equity, trust, and integrity in AI, and
vi. collaborative and impact-oriented mindset.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a Co-Director, Centre for AI, Trust and Governance or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $10,000 per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. 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.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without prior approval of a Co-Director, Centre for AI, Trust and Governance.

d. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research without prior approval.

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 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, excluding any additional sick leave and parental leave.

7. Research Overseas

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

8. Suspension

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend 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 a Co-Director, Centre for AI, Trust and Governance 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(s) that increases the overall supplementary amount 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 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.

12. Reporting

c. The recipient must provide an annual progress report to the Centre for AI, Trust and Governance, by 30th November each year. The report is to be shared with the Yim Family Foundation representatives.