Higher degree by research scholarship information

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A wide range of University, government and non-government scholarships are available to HDR students.

For more information about eligibility and selection refer to the scholarship database.

Make sure you check the eligibility criteria and rules carefully as you will only be considered if you meet all of the criteria. Scholarship rules and eligibility criteria can be found using the search function on the individual scholarship webpage on the scholarships database. Before applying for a scholarship, make sure you have all of your supporting documentation in order.

You must apply for both candidature, and scholarship. Follow these steps:

Confirm your eligibility – you will only be considered if you can show you meet all of the eligibility criteria.

Confirm an academic staff member has agreed to supervise your HDR project –

International students must include a confirmation email from the proposed supervisor, presented as a single pdf entitled ‘(SURNAME) Supervisor confirmation'.

Prepare a research project outline. Present as a single pdf entitled ‘(SURNAME) research outline’.

Prepare a research experience statement (if appropriate). Present as a single pdf entitled ‘(SURNAME) experience’.

Prepare your academic transcripts. Present as a single pdf entitled ‘(SURNAME) transcripts’. Please note, Flinders University transcripts are not required.

Check the individual conditions of the award and application guidelines for the specific scholarship that you are applying for. Generally, your application for a higher degree by research scholarship and candidature should include the following documentation with your application:

Any publications that meet the submission of publications conditions, as outlined in your scholarship details

Please note: individual pdf file size is 8MB max. To reduce the size, open the pdf document and save as new document using the “Adobe PDF Files, Optimised” function.

Submit your application - apply online

Check you have completed the steps above before you submit your application.

Make sure you check the eligibility criteria and rules carefully as you will only be considered if you meet all of the criteria. Scholarship rules and eligibility criteria can be found on the individual scholarship webpages on the scholarships database. Before applying for a scholarship, make sure you have all of your supporting documentation in order. You must apply for both candidature, and scholarship.

To apply for candidature

Click on the 'My Applications' tab at the top of the screen.

Complete the details as required and submit your application.

Domestic students

International students

To apply for scholarship

Click on the 'My Scholarships' tab at the top of the screen.

Select the scholarship group (scholarships with similar eligibility criteria may be grouped together in the Student System).

Complete the application as required and attached all relevant supporting documentation.

Submit your application.

You will be notified of the outcome of your application via your Flinders email account.

*Current Flinders student or a recent graduate (within 12 months) you can submit your application for a scholarship via the Student Information System, by selecting the My Scholarships tab at the top of the page, and searching for the scholarship you wish to apply for.

*If you have never studied at or made an application to Flinders University, you can register and submit your application for a scholarship using the eApplication portal. You will receive two emails once your application is completed: confirmation of an application submission; and a second email with your student ID. Note, it may take 1— 4 hours for your student ID to be created.

*If you have studied at Flinders University more than 12 months ago you will need to reactivate your FAN via the FAN reactivation page. With an active FAN you will then be able to submit your application for a scholarship via the Student Information System as advised above.

If you are experiencing issues with the eApplication portal, call +61 8 8201 2345 for support.

Once your submitted application is complete including all mandatory questions and documentation, your application will be assessed once applications have closed. Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered: you must provide all the required information.

Leave, intermission, extensions and HDR allowances

If you wish to apply for an intermission, including sick leave, maternity leave, and carers leave from your scholarship (leave may be paid or unpaid depending on duration, supporting evidence and type of leave); please refer to your scholarship conditions of award. You need to apply at least four (4) weeks in advance to the Scholarships Committee by completing an online request via the Inspire portal. The online request through the Inspire portal will make an application for a variation to your enrolment, and to your scholarship.

If you wish to apply for recreational leave or an HDR allowance (thesis preparation reimbursement or relocation reimbursement), please complete an online request via the Inspire portal.

If you wish to apply for a six-month extension to your HDR scholarship (based only on study reasons beyond your control), please complete an online request via the Inspire portal. Applications for scholarship and candidature extensions are assessed separately by different offices. You will receive notification of each outcome separately delivered to your Flinders email account.

Leave entitlements

The following leave entitlements apply to most scholarships. Check your scholarship conditions for specific details that apply to you.

Leave type	Entitlements
Recreation leave	20 days paid leave each year, in addition to public holidays. Recreation leave may be accrued over the tenure of the award, but forfeited when the award is terminated. Recreational Leave does not extend the period of support of the RTP stipend or fee offset.
Sick leave	Up to 10 working days of paid sick leave per year. Sick leave may be accrued over the tenure of the award, but forfeited when the award is terminated. Sick leave less than 10 consecutive working days does not extend the period of support of the RTP Stipend or fee offset. Award holders are entitled to receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of 60 working days during the duration of the Australian Government Research Training Scholarship for periods of illness more than 10 consecutive days where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under clause 11.2. A medical certificate must be provided by the student to the University for sick leave to be considered. More than 10 consecutive sick leave days with a medical certificate will extend the period of support of the RTP Stipend and fee offset.
Maternity leave	Award holders who have completed 12 months of their RTP stipend are entitled to a maximum of 60 working days’ paid maternity leave during the duration of the RTP stipend, which is in addition to the normal tenure of the award. This will be subject to the usual practice of the University. Paid leave may also be approved if the student has adopted a child. Approved maternity leave will extend the period of support of the RTP Stipend and fee offset.
Paternity leave	Award holders who are partners of women giving birth while receiving a RTP stipend and who have completed 12 months of their RTP stipend may be entitled to a period of paid parenting leave at the time of the birth or adoption, subject to the usual practice of the University. Approved paternity leave will extend the period of support of the RTP Stipend and fee offset.
Carers leave	Sick leave entitlements (including additional sick leave) for award holders may also be used to cover leave for students with family caring responsibilities, subject to the usual practice of the University.

Intermission

Intermissions are non-paid periods of leave from a scholarship, which must match any intermission from candidature due to personal circumstances. The following conditions apply:

Award holders who wish to intermit or suspend their studies and scholarship must apply to the Scholarships Committee. The Scholarships Committee may approve a period or periods totalling up to 12 months. In exceptional circumstances (circumstances beyond the student’s control), the Scholarships Committee may approve periods of intermission up to 24 months in total. Award holders must apply separately to the relevant College Higher Degrees Committee for intermission of their candidature.
The Scholarships Committee will not approve intermission of scholarships in the first six months of scholarship tenure except in exceptional circumstances.
Award holders who suspend their studies without the approval of the Scholarships Committee will be required to repay any award payments to which they were not entitled.

If you have taken a period of intermission, you must inform Student Finance to confirm your return to study by email to scholarships@flinders.edu.au. Your scholarship payments will not recommence until you have confirmed your return.

Extension

An extension to an AGRTPS/FURS/FSERA/FIPRS or AJ & IM Naylon PhD Scholarship for a Research Doctorate of up to six months may be approved by the Scholarships Committee provided:

the student is making satisfactory progress, and
the grounds for the extension relate to study reasons and are beyond the control of the student.

Research Masters students are not eligible for an extension.

Under extenuating circumstances Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (International) award holders may apply for an additional extension of up to six months, only once the initial extension of six months has commenced. A second extension is only considered under extenuating circumstances beyond a student's control, and the committee reserves the right to award a lesser extension period than applied for based on the evidence provided.

For more information about your scholarship, please search for your award to view further details, including the full conditions of award.

For general information about the administration of your award, including payments, please download and read Your Research Scholarship information sheet.

HDR scholarship conditions of award

Please see below current HDR scholarships conditions of award. If you have need any further clarification or advice, please contact rhdscholarships@flinders.edu.au or call (08) 8201 5511.

Scholarships with impact

As a Postgraduate student you have the opportunity to access leading Universities overseas through a number of highly respected scholarship programs.

These scholarship programs will enhance your studies, research and ability to have real world impact, with many also offering opportunities to develop your leadership skills. You will also be engaged in a supportive community with other students from around the world.

Scholarships include:

Rhodes Scholarship - for postgraduate study at Oxford University in the United Kingdom
Cambridge Australia Scholarship - for Australian graduates to undertake Masters and PhD studies at the University of Cambridge, England
Cambridge Trust Scholarships - search for scholarships that will enable study at the University of Cambridge
Fulbright Scholarship - for Australian graduates to undertake postgraduate or postdoctoral study in the United States of America
Sir John Monash Scholarship - for Australian graduates to undertake postgraduate study for up to 3 years in another country

Submission of publications

Research scholarships for domestic students (or international students with recent Australian qualifications)

If you are submitting a publication or publications to support your scholarship application in the main domestic student research scholarship round (AGRTPS, FURS, FSERA, Joyner, Naylon, Lowitja O’Donoghue etc), the following conditions apply:

The maximum score you can get for the category of publications or other research experience is 1.
Applicants should submit for consideration by the Scholarships Committee details of publications or research experience they believe demonstrate their research potential. For co-authored (co-edited) publications, the relative contribution of each author will be assessed in accordance with details provided by the applicant and fractional points may be allocated. Points are allocated for publications published in the last five years and are within, or relevant to, the applicant's proposed field of study.
Publications should be related to the research you intend to undertake at Flinders University.
Publications must not be more than 5 years old.
Each publication must have a completed a Publications Cover Sheet; publications without coversheets will not be considered.
If you are providing a hyperlink to your publication on the publication coversheet, please ensure the link is active. If a live link direct to the publication is not possible, please provide an electronic copy of the publication.

A publication will only be considered if it was submitted for publication before the scholarship application closing date and has been accepted for publication before the committee meets in early December. Evidence of acceptance must be provided to the Student Finance prior to that meeting. Please ensure that you provide evidence of acceptance as soon as you receive it.

The guide below indicates the scores to be assigned to items submitted as research indicators and performance.

Publications:

Peer refereed journal article (non-predatory), book or book chapter, conference proceeding, research performed creative artefact - sole or first author. 1.0 point
Peer refereed journal article (non-predatory), book or book chapter, conference proceeding, research performed creative artefact - not sole or first author 0.5 point

Research experience:

Evidence of research experience will be output such as a report or reports (e.g., for a Government agency) substantially authored by the applicant.

3 years experience 1.0 point
2 years experience 0.5 point
1 year experience 0.25 point

Research scholarships for international students

If you are submitting an application for the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (AGRTPS) (International) or Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, please ensure you read the information below regarding the presentation of your publications.

Publications submitted to support your application for an AGTPS will be used to judge your research potential in the area of your proposed study at Flinders University. Publications outside your area of proposed study may be considered but may not support your application as much as closely related ones.

The following conditions are mandatory:

Publications must not be more than 5 years old.
Only present your top five publications and select these in consultation with your proposed Flinders University supervisor.
Each publication must have a completed a Publications Cover Sheet; publications without coversheets will not be considered.
Do not provide more than 5 publications; additional publications may be noted on your CV or in a separate list.
If you are providing a hyperlink to your publication on your publication coversheet, please ensure that the link is active. If a live link direct to the publication is not possible, please provide an electronic copy of the publication.
Only publications in English should be included among the top five publications; publications in other languages will be accepted only if the nature of the publication (for example, a report to a government agency) dictates that another language is most appropriate.

Please note, due to the highly competitive nature of the AGRTPS, applicants who have not published are unlikely to be competitive.

Information session

Each year Flinders University holds an information session about these scholarships so that you can find out what they offer and how to apply. Previous scholarship recipients will also be sharing their exciting experiences.

The information session for 2019 was held on 9 May. The presentation slides and other information (if available) for each of the scholarships are available by clicking on the relevant links below:

Cambridge Australia Scholarships

Fulbright Scholarships