Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Neural Activity in Parkinson’s Disease

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD student who is undertaking research in the dual role of neural activity in Parkinson’s disease.

b. This scholarship is awarded in whole or in part by Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Grant ID: ASAP-020529 and Grant ID: MJFF-020649 sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF).

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must conduct research into who is undertaking research in the dual role of neural activity in parkinson’s disease.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. cover letter (detailing interest in subject area),
III. two academic referees.

b. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend interview.

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

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance for up to 3 years according to the below schedule, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

I. Year 1 – US $21,525,
II. Year 2 – US $22,050, and
III. Year 3 – US $22,600.

b. The commencement date of the Scholarship for a currently enrolled PhD student will be the first day of the Research Period in which the scholarship closing date falls.

c. If the student has not yet enrolled in their PhD when selected for the Scholarship, then the commencement date of their Scholarship will be the first day of their PhD candidature. The commencement date of the Scholarship must be in or before Research Period 4, 2023. If the recipient is unable to get an unconditional offer of admission by this Research Period, the conditional Scholarship offer will be withdrawn unless the commencement of the Scholarship is approved to be deferred by the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health.

d. If the Scholarship duration outlined in clause 4.a is not completed by 31 December 2025, the Scholarship will be automatically terminated. If the end date of the grant supporting this scholarship is extended, approval is required from the Associate Dean (Research Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health for the scholarship to continue to the new end of the grant. If the recipient completes the maximum scholarship duration mentioned in clause 4.a prior to the end date of the grant, then the end date of the scholarship determined by clause 4.a prevails.

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 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. 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 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 Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health 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 (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.

11. Privacy and Confidentiality

a. The recipient is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease or the University of Sydney confidential and ensure it is not disclosed to a third party without the prior written consent of the University of Sydney or Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease, as appropriate, or as required by law.

12. Acknowledgement

a. The recipient must acknowledge the support of the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease in any media, publications or presentations arising from the research in relation to this scholarship. The following text is to be used:
I. This research was funded in whole or in part by Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s [Grant number] through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a CC BY [replace with CC0, CC BY-ND if appropriate] public copyright license to all Author Accepted Manuscripts arising from this submission.

b. The recipient must gain approval from Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease prior to use of any logos, marks, trade dress or other content relating to Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.

13. Intellectual Property

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.