The Isaacs Family Scholarship in Science

1. Background

a. Established in 2021, this Scholarship has been generously donated by the Isaacs Family to support Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students undertaking a Masters degree in the Faculty of Science.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must identify 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.

b. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full-time or part-time to study within the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney in either a Masters by Coursework, or a Masters by Research.

c. Applicant must be available to attend the interview which will be conducted either online or face to face.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. a personal statement which demonstrates their interest in postgraduate studies in Science, and
III. an interview.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Dean, Faculty of Science, or their nominated delegate(s) on the recommendation of a Selection Committee convened by the Associate Dean, Indigenous Strategy and Services and include a representative from the Gadigal Centre.

4. Value

a. The total value of the Scholarship is approx. $55,000 to support tuition fees and/or living expenses. The amount and duration will be determined by the Selection Committee and stipulated in the offer letter.

b. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester.

c. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Dean of Science (or nominated delegate), and it is not transferable to another area of research, University school, faculty or university without prior approval.

d. No other amount is payable.

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

5. Eligibility for Progression / Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, Higher Degree by Research students must pass the Annual Progress Evaluations. Coursework students must maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 65 for any coursework units of study.

6. Changes in Enrolment – postgraduate research students

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify the Scholarships Office 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 scholarship.

7. Termination – coursework students

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
III. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship, or
IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application, or
V. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.
VI. 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. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

8. Termination – postgraduate research students

a. The Scholarship will terminate:

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 student having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
IV. if the recipient receives an alternative scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship where it is of higher value,
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.

9. 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.

10. Privacy and Reports

a. This Scholarship is funded by a donation; successful recipients agree that the University may disclose the following information to that third-party donor for stewardship purposes and in compliance with contractual arrangements, noting that no other information will be shared without your direct consent:
I. Recipient's first name, and
II. Recipient’s name of their degree

b. Successful recipients will be asked to provide a report annually, detailing the impact of the scholarship and their future aspirations.
 
 

1. Background

a. Established in 2025, this Scholarship has been generously donated by the Isaacs Family to support Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students undertaking an Honours or Masters degree in the Faculty of Science.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must identify 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.

b. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full-time or part-time to study in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney in either an Honours degree, Masters by Coursework, or a Masters by Research.

c. Applicant must be available to attend an interview which will be conducted either online or face to face.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. a personal statement which demonstrates their interest in honours or postgraduate studies in Science, and
III. an interview.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Dean, Faculty of Science, or their nominated delegate(s) on the recommendation of a Selection Committee convened by the Associate Dean, Indigenous Strategy and Services and include a representative from the Gadigal Centre.

4. Value

a. The maximum value of the Scholarship is $105,000 to support tuition fees and/or living expenses. The amount and duration will be determined by the Selection Committee and stipulated in the offer letter.

b. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in two instalments after the census date of each semester.

c. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Dean of Science (or nominated delegate), and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

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

e. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing Eligibility – Honours and Masters by Coursework

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 65 for any coursework units of study or must meet the requirements of their Honours program.

b. Recipients undertaking an exchange during the tenure of this Scholarship are required to have achieved a Satisfied Requirements grade (SR) to receive their next payment.

6. Ongoing Eligibility – Masters by Research

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, Higher Degree by Research students must pass the Annual Progress Evaluations.

7. Changes in Enrolment – Masters by Research

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify the Scholarships Office 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 scholarship.

8. Termination - Honours and Masters by Coursework

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
III. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,
IV. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship,
V. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VI. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

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

b. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

9. Termination – Masters by Research

a. The Scholarship will terminate:

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 student having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
IV. if the recipient receives an alternative scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship where it is of higher value,
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.

10. Misconduct - Masters by Research

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.

11. Privacy and Reports

a. This Scholarship is funded by a donation; successful recipients agree that the University may disclose the following information to that third-party donor for stewardship purposes and in compliance with contractual arrangements, noting that no other information will be shared without your direct consent:
I. Recipient's first name, and
II. Recipient’s name of their degree

b. Successful recipients will be asked to provide a report annually, detailing the impact of the scholarship and their future aspirations.