Snow Vision Accelerator Postgraduate Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD student who is undertaking research broadly in the field of glaucoma, optic nerve diseases or related fields of study.

b. This Scholarship is funded by Snow Medical Research Foundation Ltd via the Snow Vision Accelerator.

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 or the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be willing to conduct research in the field of glaucoma optic nerve diseases or related fields of study.

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. curriculum vitae, and
IV. contact details of two academic referees.

b. Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the Director, Snow Vision Accelerator 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 (2026 at $42,754, indexed on 1 January each year) up to 14 research periods from the scholarship commencement period, or on 31 August 2030, whichever occurs first, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. Extension of the Scholarship is not permitted.

c. Scholarship commencing research period will be stated in the scholarship offer. Deferral of scholarship must be approved by the Scholarships Office, subject to approval of deferral of admission.

d. Relocation reimbursement up to $2,000 for a recipient who:
I. resides outside the Sydney Metropolitan area immediately prior the commencement of scholarship and,
II. relocates to Sydney Metropolitan area.
III. The University of Sydney, HDR Research Training Program (RTP) relocation allowance guidelines apply.

e. 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 two research periods of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to four research periods 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 two research periods of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to four research periods 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, and course transfer. 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 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 these Scholarship terms and conditions and/or 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. Acknowledgement

a. The Snow Vision Accelerator’s contribution must be formally acknowledged when, at any time during or after completion of the Doctor of Philosophy course, the:
i. the recipient;
ii. the recipient’s supervisor; or
iii. any other party publishes or produces material (such as books, articles, newsletters or other literary or artistic works) relating to the recipient’s research project.
b. This requirement is met by including the following statement in any materials: ‘This research is supported by a Snow Vision Accelerator Scholarship.’

13. Privacy

a. The University collects and uses Your personal information for the purpose of administering and maintaining Your Scholarship, the University’s scholarship processes and for making Scholarship payments to You, in accordance with the University’s business requirements and legal obligations. Further information about the collection and use of your personal information is outlined in the University’s Scholarships Privacy Collection Notice.

b. Unless otherwise specified in Your Letter of Offer, as You are in receipt of a Scholarship funded by a donor or external organisation, You agree that the University may disclose the following information to that third-party for stewardship purposes and in compliance with contractual arrangements, noting that no other information will be shared without your direct consent:
a. Your first name;
b. the name of Your degree;
c. whether You have met and/or continue to meet the Scholarship terms and conditions and eligibility requirements for Your Scholarship.

c. You may also be contacted by a representative of the University of Sydney to provide an annual written statement about your work and the impact of the scholarship on you. Please note you are under no obligation to share information and your decision to participate (or not) will not affect your ongoing eligibility for the scholarship.