Rules Governing Postgraduate Research Scholarships

1.      General and Interpretation

1.1.     These Rules are made in accordance with the powers vested in the Council.

1.2.     These Rules shall apply to University of Newcastle Postgraduate Research Scholarships and such other postgraduate research scholarships as the Vice-Chancellor may from time to time establish.

1.3.     In these Rules, unless the context or subject matter otherwise indicates or requires:

Committeemeans the Research Training Sub-Committee;

Program means the program of research and study undertaken by the scholar pursuant to the appropriate degree requirements;

2.      Tenure

2.1.     A scholarship is tenable in the University for full-time candidature for a research Masters degree or for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

2.2.     A scholarship may be held for not more than two years by a candidate for a research Masters degree, and  not normally for more than three years by a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

2.3.     If a scholar, being a candidate for a research Masters degree, is admitted to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy before the scholarship expires, the conditions of the scholarship shall be varied as if it had from the date of award been a scholarship held by a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

3.      Benefits

3.1.     A scholarship shall carry the following benefits:

1. a living allowance, payable fortnightly.
2. a relocation allowance may be paid to a scholar who is obliged to move to Newcastle to take up the scholarship. The relocation allowance may also be payable for dependents.
3. A removal allowance will be paid to a scholar who qualifies for a relocation allowance. The allowance is intended to assist the scholar with removal expenses and with the expenses of establishing accommodation in Newcastle.
4. A thesis allowance will be paid to a scholar after submission of the thesis and on production of the relevant receipts, for costs associated with the preparation of the thesis and other material submitted for examination.

4.      Attendance

4.1.     A scholar is required to pursue the program on a full-time basis and is required to submit reports on progress when requested by the Committee. A scholar may be permitted four weeks recreation leave each year in which the scholarship is held, but in the event of the scholarship being renewed or extended such leave shall not be carried forward beyond the anniversary of the commencement of the scholarship.

4.2.     If the Dean of Graduate Studies is advised that a scholar's study is affected by illness and is satisfied that the scholar is prevented from pursuing the program the University satisfied that the scholar is prevented from pursuing the program, the Dean of Graduate Studies may authorise sickor maternity leave. Such leave will normally not exceed twelve weeks in any one year.

4.3.     Before granting such leave, the Dean of Graduate Studies may require the scholar to produce medical certificates or other evidence confirming the nature and extent of the illness.

4.4.     Part-time attendance is subject to approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies. It may only be approved in exceptional circumstances and approved for a scholar who has demonstrated significant responsibilities or an on-going medical condition which precludes full-time study. Part-time scholarships are normally taxable.

5.      Suspension of Scholarship

5.1.     If the Dean of Graduate Studies is advised that a scholar's study is affected by circumstances which prevent the scholar from pursuing the program, the Dean of Graduate Studkies may suspend the scholarship for a period normally not exceeding twelve months. During the period of suspension the scholar will receive no benefits from the scholarship. Periods of enrolment during the suspension of scholarship will count towards the tenure of the scholarship.

5.2.     The period of suspension shall not count as any part of the period of tenure of the scholarship.

6.      Employment

6.1.     A scholar may, with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and the support of his or her supervisor, engage in a limited amount of part-time academic employment providing that it does not interfere with the program and does not, in general, exceed eight hours in any one week.

6.2.     A scholar may not receive an equivalent award, scholarship or salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the APA base stipend rate.

7.      Study at Other Institutions

7.1.     Following an application in writing by the scholar to the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Committee may permit the scholar to undertake research and study at any other Institution provided that:

1. The research is essential for the completion of the scholar's program.
2. The period shall not exceed 12 months (or 18 months for anthropology and other special cases), and is subject to the approval of the scholar's supervisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
3. Continuation of scholarship benefits is dependent upon approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies for the period of off-campus study, and the scholar's continued enrolment in the program for which the award was granted at the University of Newcastle.
4. Approval of such continuation of scholarship benefits will not normally be given earlier than 6 months after the commencement of the scholarship.

8.      Review

8.1.     The Committee may periodically, and must at least once a year, review the progress of a scholar.

9.      Termination

9.1.     A scholarship shall terminate:

1. on the expiry of the period for which the scholarship was granted; or
2. fouteen days after the submission of the first soft-bound; or
3. if, in the opinion of the Committee, the scholar has failed to observe any condition of these Rules in which event any monies paid to the scholar subsequent to that breach shall immediately become repayable to the University; or
4. if, in the opinion of the Committee, the scholar has failed to maintain satisfactory progress; or
5. upon resignation by the scholar given in writing to the Office of Graduate Studies.

10.      Related Information

Doctor of Philosophy - Schedule 000091

Schedules - Master Degrees by Research

Research Higher Degree Scholarships 2007