Sydney Quantum Academy Undergraduate Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship is funded by the Sydney Quantum Academy and provides talented undergraduate students with an invaluable opportunity to undertake an exciting 6-week project from one of SQA’s four partner universities, supervised by a leading quantum researcher.

b. The aim of the program is to provide opportunities to students partway through their undergraduate degree to develop their research skills and inspire them to consider further quantum technology research or related activities in the future.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be enrolled either in an undergraduate program at The University of Sydney, or be a domestic undergraduate student attending a university in NSW.

b. Applicants may be enrolled in either full-time or part-time study.

c. International students are also eligible to apply if they are enrolled at an SQA partner University.

d. Applicants must have completed a minimum 72 credit points of study towards their undergraduate degree by the time they commence their research project.

e. Applicants must be available for the full research project period, and not have other commitments that would interfere with their ability to complete the project. Once selected recipients must be able to engage in a project on a full-time basis (35 hours/week for 6 weeks during normal working hours unless advised otherwise by the supervisor).

f. Applicants who were previously awarded an SQA Undergraduate Research Scholarship are not eligible to apply.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit, and

II. a personal statement demonstrating relevant experience, studies and/or interest in quantum technology.

b. Preference will be given to female applicants for some of the projects on grounds of encouraging gender diversity in quantum technology.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Sydney Quantum Academy.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $3,333 per annum and is tenable for the duration of the research project.

b. The Scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments, the first occurring near the beginning of the research project and the second in the fourth week of the research project.

c. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university without prior approval.

d. Students who participate in a research project do so on a voluntary basis. No employment relationship is created between participating students and the University.

e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must meet the requirements of the research project and continue to be enrolled in their undergraduate degree for the duration of the six-week research project.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,

II. does not maintain satisfactory performance and/or a complaint or concern is raised about their conduct during the research project,

III. is absent at any stage during the research project period without approval from their supervisor or reasonable excuse, such as medical reasons or carer’s responsibilities.

IV. is determined by the SQA and/or the University to have provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,

V. undertakes an additional placement with another faculty or university during the tenure of project period,

VI. commences or continues to undertake employment (paid or otherwise) that interferes with ability to complete the project,

VII. does not resume participation in the research project at the end of a period of approved leave, or

VIII. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

c. SQA reserves the right to:

I. suspend a Scholarship in the instance that a complaint or concern is raised about the conduct of the recipient, and

II. terminate a Scholarship and request reimbursement of funds in the instance where the recipient has been found to have engaged in misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

7. Other conditions

a. The names of Scholarship recipients will be published in publicly accessible SQA and partner materials and channels.

b. Where a student undertakes their research project at an SQA partner university that is not the University of Sydney, the student’s information may be shared with the relevant university for the purpose of administering their project.