NSW RNA Research and Training Network Scholarship

Eligibility

1. NSW RNA Research and Training Network Scholarship (‘the Scholarship’) holders are expected to enrol or be currently enrolled in a full-time PhD at the University of Sydney. 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, carer’s responsibilities). 

*A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and student should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent.

2. Applicants must apply for admission and submit all required documentation for admission to commence or be currently enrolled in a PhD at the University of Sydney. 

3. Applicants must submit the scholarship application form available on the Scholarships Office website.

4. Applicants must participate in NSW-RRTN training modules, workshops, and networking events as part of their scholarship obligations.

Tenure

5. The Scholarship may be held for up 14 research periods (full time). Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the award will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the award.

6. No extension is possible. 

7. A student is expected to commence the Scholarship by the census date of their commencing intake, and during the year the Scholarship is awarded. If a student has commenced their studies, the Scholarship may commence on the date identified in the scholarship offer email. 

8. A recipient may defer their scholarship to commence in the same calendar year in which it is offered as long as their admission offer is also approved to be deferred within the same calendar year.

Stipend and Allowances

9. Holders of the Scholarship will receive a stipend of $42,754 per annum (indexed on 1 January each year using University of Sydney’s Research Training Program stipend rate), subject to satisfactory academic performance.

10. A student who relocates their place of residence from outside the Sydney Metropolitan area to commence their research degree at the University of Sydney may claim a relocation allowance for eligible expenses. 

10.1 For domestic students, eligible expenses are published in the University’s HDR Research Training Program (RTP) relocation allowance guidelines. The value of the allowance is up to $515 for each eligible adult and up to $255 for each eligible child. The maximum total value of a relocation allowance a student may receive is $1,485.

10.2 For International students, eligible expenses are published in the University’s HDR Research Training Program (RTP) relocation allowance guidelines. The value of the allowance is up to $1,485 for travel from their home country to Sydney at the commencement of their degree, and up to $1,485 for travel to return to their home country after successful completion of their degree. Costs of relocation may only be claimed for the student’s personal relocation expenses and not for any other person or dependants.

11. A student who has already commenced their PhD at the University of Sydney prior to the Scholarship being awarded is not entitled to claim a relocation allowance.

12. Reimbursement of up to $840 will be made for eligible claims for direct costs of producing a thesis in accordance with the University’s thesis allowance claim information.  The claim must be lodged with the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) through the email address hdrac.scholarships@sydney.edu.au within one year of submission of the thesis and no more than two years after termination of the award. Costs associated with printing a thesis are not eligible as a printed thesis is no longer required for submission and examination.

13. Recipients may, after confirmation of candidature (normally at 12 months full-time equivalent), be eligible to claim costs for approved training, conferences, and professional development activities as part of the NSW-RRTN program (subject to available funding and program guidelines).

14. Holders of the Scholarship may receive a concurrent award, scholarship or salary to undertake their research degree provided such award, scholarship or salary provides a benefit less than 75% of the Scholarship.  The Scholarship will be terminated if this limit is exceeded.  Salary for work unrelated to the student’s research is not subject to this limit.

Selection Criteria

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

a. academic merit,

b. research experience,

c. availability of a high-quality research environment and resources to support the candidature, 

d. availability of high-quality supervisory arrangements to support the candidature, and

e. expression of Interest in the NSW RNA Research and Training Network.  

16. Preference may be given to applicants who:

a. identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as per University of Sydney policy,

b. have not previously received an Australian Government or University Scholarship to complete a PhD,

c. have not previously completed a PhD.

17. Recipients will be awarded the Scholarship by the Higher Degrees by Research Scholarships Sub-Committee (HDRSSC).

18. The University of Sydney will notify applicants of the outcome of their scholarship application by email to the student’s University email address (for current students), or the preferred email address contained in the student’s application for admission.

Leave Arrangements

19. Holders of the Scholarship receive up to 20 working days recreation leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued.  Any unused leave when the Scholarship is terminated or completed will be forfeited.  Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading. The supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

20. Holders of the Scholarship may take up to 10 working days sick leave every 12 months of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship.  Students with carer responsibility may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carers leave on presentation of medical certificate/s.  Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

21. Holders of the Scholarship may receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks during their Scholarship for medically substantiated periods of illness where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under Clause 20 above.  Students applying for additional paid sick leave must do so at the start of absence or as soon as practicable.  Periods of additional paid sick leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship.

22. Once holders of the Scholarship have completed twelve months of their award, they are entitled to a maximum of twelve weeks paid parental leave during the tenure of the Scholarship. Students applying for paid parental leave should do so at least four weeks prior to the leave commencement date.  Periods of paid parental leave are added to the duration of the Scholarship. Holders of the Scholarship who have not completed twelve months of their award may access unpaid parental leave through the suspension provisions.  When applying for parental leave, the applicant should include at least one of the following documents:

a. letter from medical professional related to pregnancy, 

b. a surrogacy agreement, 

c. birth certificate of the child, 

d. adoption documents, or 

e. documentation that substantiates the application. 

Research Overseas

23. Holders of the Scholarship may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of an award.

24. Holders of the Scholarship may conduct up to 12 months (18 months for students of Anthropology and other special cases) of their research outside Australia.  Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, and Head of department/School, 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 at the University and receive approval to Count Time Away.

Transfer to another University, Faculty, School or Supervisor

25. The Scholarships are not transferrable to another university. Should the holder of the Scholarship transfer to another faculty, school or supervisor within the University of Sydney, the duration of the Scholarship will not be extended.

Suspension

26. Holders of the Scholarship may not apply to suspend their award within the first six months unless:

a. permitted by a legislative provision; or 

b. approved on the basis of special circumstances. Special circumstances include carer responsibilities or medical conditions and will generally be out of the recipient’s control. 

27. After the first six months, holders of the Scholarship may apply for up to 12 months suspension for any reason during the tenure of their award.  Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

28. The Scholarship will be suspended during any period of suspension of studies.

29. Holders of the Scholarship are entitled up to an additional 12 months suspension (less any period of paid parental leave) following the holder becoming a parent.  The Scholarship holder should apply for suspension within four weeks of the expected date of becoming a parent. 

Changes in Enrolment

30. Holders of the Scholarship must notify the Scholarships Office and Higher Degree by Research Administration (HDRAC) of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature transfer by written notice.  If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

Industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities 

31. Recipients may undertake a paid 3-month industry or research internship as part of the NSW-RRTN program. This may be funded separately through the Network and does not affect the duration or stipend payments of this scholarship. 

Termination

32. The Scholarships will be terminated upon the recipient’s:

a. resignation or withdrawal from their degree, 

b. failure to enrol without approved leave or suspension, 

c. submission of their thesis or at the end of the award, whichever occurs first,

d. acceptance of another scholarship that provides a primary stipend allowance. 

33. The Scholarship will also be terminated before clause 32 of this document if the University, after an enquiry, concludes that the recipient has:

a. not carried out the course of study with competence and diligence, or in accordance with their Scholarship offer, 

b. failed to maintain satisfactory progress, and/or

c. committed serious misconduct.

34. Stipend payments will be suspended throughout the duration of the enquiry/appeal process.

False or Misleading Information

35. The University of Sydney reserves the right to reassess a student’s Scholarship entitlements if it believes the student has provided false or misleading information to the university in relation to their application for admission or the scholarship award.