Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Marine Spatial Planning

1. Background

a. This Scholarship aims to support a student undertaking a PhD student within the
School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, where the focus of their research is on marine protected area zoning.

b. This Scholarship is funded by Enhancing Pacific Ocean Governance (EPOG) program between the Commonwealth of Australia represented by Geoscience Australia (GA) and the University of Sydney.

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 School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

b. 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 undertake research in geospatial analysis and marine spatial planning.

d. Applicant must also hold at least one of the following in geography, marine or coastal geosciences:
a. an Honours degree (First Class or Second Class Upper) or equivalent or
b. Master’s degree with a substantial research component or equivalent.

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,
III. curriculum vitae with previous research experience,
IV. a personal statement demonstrating high motivation for research and interests in marine resource and protected area management.

b. Preference will be given to applicants:

I. with a background in coastal or marine science,
geographic information science (GIS), spatial data analytics, GIS programming (e.g. R, Python, Earth Engine) and working knowledge of spatial statistics.

II. who have strong analytical skills, good judgement, high integrity and ability to build and foster effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders working closely with state and national government departments.

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 equivalent to the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate per annum (indexed on 1 January each year) for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without prior approval from the research supervisor.

e. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.

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 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 six months of award.

b. The Scholarship 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.

8. Suspension

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship 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.

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 to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from the research supervisor,
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.

12. Reports

a. The recipient of this Scholarship may be requested to contribute to the progress and final reports to Geoscience Australia.

13. Publication and Acknowledgements

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must ensure that all publications (including reprints) promotional and advertising materials, public announcements, events and activities in relation to this research, or any products, processes or inventions developed as a result, must acknowledge the contributions (if any) made by other parties (GA and the University of Sydney) and the support of this scholarship unless directed otherwise by the parties to be acknowledged.

b. The recipient of this Scholarship may not use the name or logo of any other party without the prior written consent of that party.

14. Public Announcements

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must not make any public announcements related to this scholarship/research project without prior approval from their lead supervisor.

15. Confidentiality

a. The recipient of this Scholarship must keep any information or documents disclosed by any party confidential.