University_

The Hunstead Merit Award for Astrophysics

A postgraduate research scholarship
This scholarship supports students undertaking a PhD with the Sydney Institute of Astronomy.

Highlights

Value Eligibility Open date Close date
$5000 (up to 3 years)
  • PhD student with a primary supervisor at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy 
  • Domestic student
  • Undergraduate degree from another university
N/A N/A

How to apply

No application is required, students will be nominated by their supervisor.

Benefits

This scholarship is valued at $5000 (pa) for upto three years.

Who's eligible

You must:

  • be a domestic student
  • have an unconditional offer or enrolled in a PhD with a primary supervisor at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy
  • conduct research in areas of astronomy, computational and theoretical astrophysics, optical and radio astronomy studying stars, galaxies and cosmology, and the development of novel, next-generation instrumentation
  • not have completed your undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney
  •  have the support of their research supervisor to be considered for this scholarship.

Background

This scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to PhD students who are undertaking research with the Sydney Institute for Astronomy (SIfA) in research areas such as computational and theoretical astrophysics, optical and radio astronomy studying stars, galaxies and cosmology, and the development of novel, next-generation instrumentation.

This scholarship is funded by the Dick Hunstead Fund.

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to PhD students who are undertaking research with the Sydney Institute for Astronomy (SIfA) in research areas such as computational and theoretical astrophysics, optical and radio astronomy studying stars, galaxies and cosmology, and the development of novel, next-generation instrumentation.

b. This Scholarship is funded by the Dick Hunstead Fund.

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 Sydney Institute for Astronomy at the School of Physics in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. The applicant must be willing to conduct research in areas of astronomy, computational and theoretical astrophysics, optical and radio astronomy studying stars, galaxies and cosmology, and the development of novel, next-generation instrumentation.

c. The applicant must be domestic students.

d. An applicant who completed their undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney is not eligible to apply.

e. The applicant must have the support of their research supervisor to be considered for this scholarship.

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, and
III. endorsement from the relevant research supervisor.

b. Where there are applicants of equal merit, preference will be given to women or other underrepresented groups within the astronomical community.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Director of the Sydney Institute for Astronomy, or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $5,000 per annum and is tenable for up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance. No extensions are allowed.

b. The amount will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of the relevant research period in the same calendar year.

c. Payments in the first year of award will be made in the two closest Research Periods to the date of the scholarship offer.

d. Payments in the following year(s) will be made after the census date of Research Period 2 and 3, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

e. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval.

e. 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 any potential extension period.

f. No other amount is payable.

g. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. Progression is subject to passing the annual progress evaluation.

6. 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 does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VI. 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.


7. 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.