Support for Research Higher Degree Candidates

Introduction

The Faculty is committed to providing Research Higher Degree (RHD) candidates with a quality research training experience. This includes the provision of appropriate physical resources to undertake their research and quality supervision.

Students should read the  University Code of Practice for Research Higher Degree Candidature

Faculty Support for RHD Candidates

The Faculty is committed to providing research higher degree students with appropriate and consistent resources to ensure equity among students in all Schools within the Faculty. In order to achieve this result, resources for these students will be provided and funded at the Faculty level as follows:

Space

Students who are enrolled fulltime in a RHD program will be provided with a dedicated workstation within the Faculty at which to undertake their research training. The Faculty will ensure the maximum utilisation of available space, however students who are enrolled part time may be required to share space.

Physical Resources

The Faculty will provide a workstation, chair, lockable pedestal drawers and a bookshelf unit in a shared space dedicated to research higher degree students. For students pre-2007 enrolment (not eligible for the university laptop scheme), access to a computer and printer will also be provided. For students eligible for the new university laptop scheme, access to a network printer will be provided.

All students should be familiar with the University Computing and Communications Facilities - Conditions of Use

Administrative Support

Students will be provided with access to photocopying facilities with 1,000 photocopies being permitted to be copied in each year of study, after which the student will need to supply their own paper.

Research Support Funding and Procedures

The Faculty provides funding for PhD and Research Masters students to support their study. From 2008 onwards, PhD candidates can receive up to $6000 and Research Masters candidates up to $3000, over the entire period of their candidature. These new funding levels apply ONLY to candidates who are still within time for completion (ie equiv 4 years fulltime for PhD and equiv of 2 years fulltime for Research Masters). Any out of time candidates will be funded on a case by case basis.

Funding for students enrolling in 2008 onwards can receive up to:

  • $6000 for PhD candidates
  • $3000 for Research Masters candidates
  • Funds not spent in any year will be carried over to subsequent years of candidature.

These funds can normally be utilised only after successful confirmation of candidature.

These funds can be applied to attendance at conferences, as the Faculty strongly supports students attending both local and international conferences where this will benefit their research training. The quality of the proposed conference will be assessed by the student's supervisor and the Director of Postgraduate Studies (ADRT). Additionally, the funds are available for a wide range of relevant purposes including editorial assistance, workshops, thesis submission and travel to conduct field work and/or access research archives. Where travel and accommodation are requested, the appropriate travel and accommodation will be at budget or "3 star" equivalent rates.

Funding Guidelines:

  • Must be on the application form and submitted to the Faculty Research and Research Training Officer (Wendy Jones)
  • Must be accompanied by quotations and a statement by the student stating how the items being funded will contribute to completing the requirements of their degree and research training
  • All travel requirements including conference registration must be processed by the Faculty’s Travel Officer (Chris Snape)
  • No retrospective payments will be made

Where students need capital equipment and software, the Faculty will endeavour to fund requests for capital equipment by purchasing the essential items and lending them to students making an appropriate case for their use, and in relation to software, supplying the software as per the University's licence arrangements.

I have read and agree to the Funding guidelines; click heading below to open access application form:

RHD Candidate Funding Application Form

  1. Complete the application form including proposed budget with quotes attached
  2. Organise the form to be signed by your supervisor and the Head of School.
  3. Send completed application to the Wendy Jones (Research and Research Training Officer), located in SRS131D.
  4. Approval will be sought from the Director of Postgraduate Studies (ADRT) and students will then be advised in writing of the outcome.
  5. Any expenditure of approved funding including travel and/or accommodation will need to be organised via Chris Snape (Faculty Travel Officer)
    Tel: +61 2 4921 5994; Email: Chris.Snape@newcastle.edu.au