Physics Foundation Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to exceptional PhD students who are undertaking research within the School of Physics, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. The scholarship may be funded by the Science Foundation for Physics, School of Physics, external research grants, gift accounts or industry funded projects.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant receiving an unconditional offer of admission or be currently enrolled to study a PhD within the School of Physics, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. An applicant without an unconditional offer of admission may apply and be selected, however, no scholarship offer will be sent until the applicant has an unconditional offer of admission.

c. Applicants must hold an honours degree (first class) or a master's degree in a related field with a substantial research component or equivalent.

d. Applicants must conduct research in any relevant area of physics or astronomy including any specific projects as available from time to time.

e. Applicants for the primary scholarship cannot be in receipt of an RTP or equivalent primary scholarship.

f. Applicants for the supplementary scholarship must hold a primary scholarship funded by ARC grants.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. area of study and research proposal,
III. curriculum vitae, and
IV. a personal statement describing applicant’s future career goals, scientific research interests, and potential for leadership in science and in the wider community.

b. Selection will be based on research priorities of the School of Physics, supervisor capacity, diversity of applicants and the diversity of the proposed supervisors.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded by the Head of School (School of Physics) on recommendation of a selection committee comprised of academics in the School of Physics.

4. Value

a. This scholarship may be awarded as either a primary or supplementary scholarship. The type of award and scholarship value will be determined by the Selection Committee and will be indicated in the scholarship offer letter.

b. The primary scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate (indexed on 1 January each year) for up to 12 research periods, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

c. The primary scholarship recipient may apply for an extension of the stipend allowance for up to 2 research periods.

d. The supplementary scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the difference between University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) rate and Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects stipend rate of the year of offer for up to 12 research periods, subject to satisfactory academic performance. The stipend rate will be indexed on 1 January each year (University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) indexation rate).

e. The supplementary scholarship recipient may apply for an extension of the stipend allowance for up to 2 research periods subject to clause 2.d.

f. Both primary and supplementary scholarship recipients will have access to $2,000 per annum for the same duration as the scholarship as consumables (i.e. travel expense) which are administered by the School of Physics.

g. A part-time scholarship may be approved where the University is satisfied that there are special circumstances beyond the student’s control. For example, medical conditions, financial hardship and carer’s responsibilities. A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and recipients should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent.

h. 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 the potential extension period.

i. 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.

j. No other amount is payable.

k. 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 primary 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 primary 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.
c. Successful recipients of the supplementary Scholarship will have the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship, except any additional paid and parental leaves.

7. Research Overseas

a. The primary scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first 2 research periods of award.

b. The primary scholarship holder may conduct up to 4 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.
c. Successful recipients of the supplementary Scholarship will have the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship.

8. Suspension

a. The primary scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first 2 research periods of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The primary scholarship recipient may apply for up to 4 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.

c. Successful recipients of the supplementary Scholarship will have 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, external funding provider (if applicable) 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. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
IV. if the primary scholarship 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,
V. if the supplementary scholarship recipient receives alternative supplementary stipend scholarship that results in the recipient obtaining an overall supplementary stipend amount of more than 75% of the value the primary stipend Scholarship. In such circumstances, if this Scholarship offer is the lesser supplementary amount, the supplementary component of this Scholarship will be terminated,
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.

12. Other Conditions

a. Where the scholarship is funded by external research grants, gift accounts or industry funded projects, the successful recipient may be required to comply with other conditions related to the research grant such as intellectual property, confidentiality, publication and acknowledgement requirements. Where applicable it will be outlined in the scholarship offer letter and these requirements may be as follows:

I. Intellectual Property - Where indicated, the successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney to cover any jointly created Intellectual Property during the course of the project.
II. Confidentiality - Where indicated, the successful applicant is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by the funder organisation 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 the funder organisation as appropriate, or as required by law.
III. Publications and Acknowledgement - Where indicated, the successful scholarship recipient must acknowledge the support of their scholarship in any media, publications or presentations arising from the research. This must include where applicable, acknowledgement of funding source and comply with their guidelines.