First Nations People, Mental Illness and the NDIS

1. Background 

a. This supplementary Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a Masters by Research or PhD student who is undertaking research in First Nations people, mental illness and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

b. This Scholarship is funded by Australian Research Council (ARC). 

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 be domestic students. 

c. Applicants must be identified as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

d. Applicants must be in receipt of primary research scholarship administered by the University of Sydney that provide a stipend allowance. The primary scholarship must not be funded directly or indirectly by the Australian Government. 

c. Applicants must be willing to conduct research in First Nations people, mental illness and the NDIS.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit, and

II. a personal statement demonstrates skills and expertise they will bring to the selected project.

b. Preference will be given to applicants with psychosocial disability and/or receiving support under the NDIS.

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 of $37,207 per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. Extension of the Scholarship is not permitted.

c. 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. 

d. 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 2, 2026. 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.

If the Scholarship duration outlined in clause 4.a is not completed by 31 December 2029, 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 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

a. 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 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 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.  

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.