The Edith Collins Postgraduate Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to Masters by Research or PhD students who are undertaking research in alcohol, drugs and toxicology.

b. This Scholarship is funded by NSW Health.

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 Masters by Research or PhD within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must conduct research in alcohol, drugs or toxicology.

c. Applicants may apply for this scholarship as both a primary or supplementary scholarship. If applying for this scholarship as a supplementary scholarship, applicants must have a primary scholarship 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. curriculum vitae demonstrating research experience,
III. personal statement demonstrating interest in subject area and interest in the research project,
IV. area of study and/or research proposal,
V. written reference from proposed academic supervisor, and
VI. evidence of primary scholarship that provides a stipend allowance (if applicable).

b. Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an interview.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the Chairman of the Edith Collins Centre, or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (indexed on 1st January each year) as per the below duration:

I. up to 1.75 years for a successful Masters by Research recipient,
II. up to 3 years for a successful PhD recipient.

b. For a successful PhD recipient, a 6-month extension of the Scholarship may be permitted if approved by the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health.

c. If a successful applicant converts from a Masters by Research to a PhD or vice-versa, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

d. If the recipient is awarded this scholarship as a supplementary scholarship, they will be provided with a stipend allowance of 50% of the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate per annum for the same duration as their primary stipend scholarship up to a maximum up to 1.75 years for a successful Masters by Research recipient, or up to 3 years for a successful PhD recipient, subject to satisfactory academic performance. For a successful PhD recipient, if the recipient’s primary stipend scholarship is extended, this supplementary scholarship may be extended for up to a maximum of 6 months if approved by the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health.

e. If the recipient holds this scholarship as a primary stipend scholarship and receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship, this scholarship will be transferred to a supplementary scholarship. This supplementary scholarship will be the same value per annum as mentioned in clause 4.d unless it increases the overall supplementary amount paid to the student to more than 75% of the primary amount. If this is the case, this scholarship will be terminated. The duration of the scholarship will be the same duration outlined in Clause 4.d minus the duration the scholarship was held as a primary stipend scholarship unless the primary stipend scholarship ends earlier. In this case, the end date of the supplementary scholarship will be the end date of the primary stipend scholarship.

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

g. If the student has not yet enrolled in their Masters by Research or PhD when selected for the Scholarship, then the commencement date of their Scholarship will be the first day of their Masters by Research or PhD candidature. The commencement date of the Scholarship must be in or before Research Period 3, 2024. 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.

h. If the Scholarship duration outlined in clause 4.a, 4.b, 4.c, 4.d or 4.e is not completed by 30 June 2026, 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, 4.b, 4.c, 4.d or 4.e prior to the end date of the grant, then the end date of the scholarship determined by clause 4.a, 4.b, 4.c, 4.d or 4.e prevails.

a. No other amount is payable.

b. 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. If this scholarship is held as a primary scholarship, the 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. If this scholarship is held as a primary scholarship, the 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.

c. If this scholarship is held as a supplementary scholarship, the leave arrangements are as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship excluding an additional paid parental, recreational or sick leave.

7. Research Overseas

a. If this scholarship is held as a primary scholarship, the recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. If this scholarship is held as a primary scholarship, the 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.

c. If this scholarship is held as a supplementary scholarship, the research overseas arrangements are as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship.

8. Suspension

a. If this scholarship is held as a primary scholarship, the recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. If this scholarship is held as a primary scholarship, the 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.

c. If this scholarship is held as a supplementary scholarship, the suspension arrangements are 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 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 and the value indicated in clause 4.b increases the overall supplementary amount paid to the student to more than 75% of the primary amount,
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.