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Graduate Research Scholarships Policy

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Section 1 - Background and Purpose

(1) This Policy outlines the principles and procedures under which La Trobe University offers higher degree by research scholarships (‘scholarships’) to candidates enrolled in higher degrees by research (‘candidates’).

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Section 2 - Scope

(2) This Policy applies to:

  1. scholarships funded wholly by the University, including:
    1. La Trobe University Postgraduate Research Scholarship
    2. La Trobe University Full-Fee Research Scholarship
    3. David Myers Research Scholarship
    4. La Trobe University Research Equity Scholarship
  2. scholarships funded by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
    1. RTP Fees Offset Scholarship
    2. RTP Stipend
    3. RTP Allowance
  3. scholarships funded by industry, philanthropic or other external organisations, wholly or in part with the University, except where 3(a) applies.

(3) This Policy does not apply to:

  1. externally funded scholarships where payments only are administered by the University but the terms and conditions of the scholarship are defined by the sponsor;
  2. scholarships and prizes wholly administered by organisations external to the University;
  3. other payments made to candidates funded by the university except where 2(a) and 2(c) apply.
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Section 3 - Policy Statement

(4) La Trobe University will offer scholarships consistent with the requirements of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 – Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines (Research) 2017 to eligible candidates of exceptional research potential to undertake higher degrees by research.

(5) Candidates may be awarded more than one scholarship consistent with the provisions in Part C (Eligibility for Scholarships) of this Policy. Scholarships may include provision for tuition fees, fee offsets, living stipends and targeted allowances that may be awarded separately. Some scholarships provide additional living allowances and project support to outstanding applicants.

(6) Scholarships will be offered on the basis of merit and according to the University’s strategic and equity priorities.

(7) Ranking and selection of candidates will be based on clear, consistent and published criteria (see Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule B - Ranking and Selection Process) and undertaken by university staff with appropriate knowledge, skills and training.

(8) The Board of Graduate Research is responsible for determining annually the value and duration of all scholarship awards.

(9) The Board of Graduate Research is responsible for the final allocation of scholarships across the University and any decisions concerning the extension or cessation of individual awards. The Board will be fair and equitable in the use of its discretionary powers in relation to scholarships.

(10) The Graduate Research School is responsible for the administration of all higher degree by research scholarships together with other parts of the University that are responsible for research contracts and payroll.

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Section 4 - Procedures

Part A - Types of Scholarship

Fee Scholarships

(11) The University administers two main types of fee scholarships:

  1. RTP Fees Offset Scholarships are paid directly to the University by the Australian Government on behalf of the holder to partially offset costs to the University for tuition and support of the studies undertaken by the Research Training Program scholarship holder. At La Trobe University these are offered to domestic candidates only.
  2. La Trobe University Full-Fee Research Scholarships pay the tuition fees for international candidates, and may also be awarded in some circumstances to domestic candidates whose eligibility for a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship has expired.

Stipend Scholarships

(12) Stipend scholarships are provided to both domestic and international candidates to support the general living costs of the holder. 

(13) Stipends will be paid on a fortnightly basis by the University directly into a bank account in the name of the stipend holder.


Allowances

(14) Allowances may be paid to stipend holders to support costs associated with production of publications, including research theses and other examinable artefacts, and relocation to undertake the degree. The value and conditions associated with allowances will be outlined in a candidate’s letter of offer.

Part B - Scholarship terms and conditions

(15) All scholarship holders must adhere to the scholarship conditions as set out in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule A - Terms and Conditions as may be amended from time to time.

(16) The Board of Graduate Research is responsible for setting terms and conditions for the following schemes (including but not limited to):

  1. scholarships funded wholly by the University
  2. scholarships funded by the Australian Government Research Training Program
  3. scholarships funded by industry, philanthropic or other external organisations, wholly or in part with the University, except where 3(a) applies:

(17) The broad terms and conditions – including stipend and fee offset rates - for all scholarship schemes administered by the Board of Graduate Research are outlined in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule A - Terms and Conditions linked to this Policy. These will be reviewed annually, provided to successful applicants and must be agreed to by the applicant in accepting the scholarship.

(18) Terms and conditions for scholarships under 2(c) may include additional provisions or variations to the provisions outlined in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule A - Terms and Conditions relating to industry, professional practice or other activities determined by the external funding body. These will be provided to successful applicants and must be agreed to by the applicant in accepting the scholarship.

(19) Terms and conditions for scholarships under 3(a) which are administered by the University will be determined by the funding body, provided to successful applicants and must be agreed to by the applicant in accepting the scholarship.

Period of Support

(20) A candidate’s maximum period of support is based on the date the candidate commenced their higher degree by research. The commencement date for candidates who transfer from one higher degree by research to another will be the date of the first research degree in which they enrolled.

(21) The full-time periods of support for a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship or La Trobe University Full-Fee Research Scholarship are:

  1. a maximum of four years for a research doctorate
  2. a maximum of two years for a Master’s by research

(22) The University will normally charge candidates up to the equivalent current value of the fees offset amount (for domestic candidates) or tuition fee (for international candidates) for any periods of candidature beyond the maximum period of support. The provision of La Trobe University Full-Fee Research Scholarships to candidates enrolled beyond the maximum periods of support outlined in clause 21 will be considered by the Board of Graduate Research upon request only under exceptional circumstances.

(23) The maximum full-time periods of support for a stipend scholarship are:

  1. three years and six months for a Doctoral research degree, which includes provision for a six-month extension where studies have been delayed due to circumstances beyond the candidate’s control and related to the program of study and/or research rather than personal circumstances
  2. 24 months for a Master’s by research degree

(24) RTP Fees Offset Scholarships can be held on a part-time basis. Stipend scholarships may be made available to candidates who are enrolled part-time only with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, under specific conditions outlined in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule A - Terms and Conditions. For part-time load periods of support are doubled.

(25) All stipend and fee scholarships will be terminated upon thesis submission.

Arrangements for Continuing Candidates

(26) Any continuing candidate who received support under the Research Training Scheme prior to 2017, or who received an offer under this scheme but will not commence until 2017, will receive equivalent support under the schemes funded by the Research Training Program.

Part C - Eligibility for Scholarships

Eligibility to Take up a Fees Scholarship

(27) Applicants must:

  1. have completed at least four years of tertiary studies at an Australian university or recognised overseas university;
  2. meet any individual entry requirements for their chosen course of study, including English language entry requirements, and any additional criteria set for individual scholarship schemes;
  3. be enrolled in a Master’s by research or doctoral research degree at this University;
  4. not be undertaking candidature externally unless by approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

(28) In exceptional cases the Board of Graduate Research may accept a strong justification that an applicant without four years of tertiary studies including a research component has completed the equivalent of a La Trobe University honours degree, as detailed in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule B - Ranking and Selection Process.

(29) Applicants for a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship must additionally:

  1. be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or be a candidate in receipt of an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) awarded prior to January 1, 2017;
  2. not be receiving a scholarship for which course tuition is a component under any other scholarship program to which the Australian Government makes a substantial contribution;

(30) La Trobe University Full-Fee Research Scholarships will normally only be awarded concurrently with a stipend scholarship.

Eligibility to Take up a Stipend or Allowance

(31) To be eligible to take up a stipend scholarship or allowance at La Trobe University a person additionally must:

  1. have attained the equivalent of a first class honours degree at an Australian university or recognized overseas university, as detailed in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule B - Ranking and Selection Process;
  2. be enrolled in a full-time capacity at this University, or have approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies to hold a stipend on a part-time basis;
  3. not be receiving equivalent support providing a benefit greater than 75 per cent of the stipend rate, excluding income unrelated to the course of study or income received for the course of study but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs.

Research Equity Scholarships

(32) Applicants for La Trobe University Research Equity Scholarships must:

  1. have achieved a high Honours 2A grade or equivalent, as detailed in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule B - Ranking and Selection Process; 
  2. meet the eligibility criteria for the proposed course; and
  3. submit a 500 word submission outlining the socio-economic or other relevant factors that have hindered their studies

Candidates with a Previous Higher Degree by Research Enrolment

(33) Domestic applicants who have completed a doctoral degree may hold a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship but are not eligible to receive a stipend scholarship.

(34) International applicants who have completed a doctoral degree are not eligible to receive a fees or stipend scholarship.

Currently Enrolled Candidates

(35) Currently enrolled domestic and international candidates may apply for a stipend scholarship. Any candidature time already consumed will be deducted from the duration of any scholarship awarded. 

Part D - Application, Selection and Offer of Scholarships

Application

(36) Candidates seeking to apply for a scholarship must follow the instructions on the Graduate Research School website.

(37) Applicants for all scholarships must formally apply for candidature and scholarships simultaneously unless already enrolled at the University when they are applying for a scholarship.

(38) Scholarship applications will close at 31 October each year for Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian Permanent Residents and 30 September for all other applicants. Applications received at other times will be considered on a case-by-case basis either as a bridging scholarship or where the application has been made for a specific scholarship program with a different advertised closing date. Any applications made at other times that are deemed unsuccessful will be considered during the next end-of-year round unless the application is withdrawn.

Selection

(39) Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit of applications and a consideration of targeted areas of research strength at the University, including commitments to new academic appointments and partnerships, and awarded competitive grants.

(40) All eligible applicants are allocated a score equivalent to a La Trobe University honours grade on the basis of their prior qualifications and then placed in a ranked list of applicants for the available scholarship/s, as per the criteria in Graduate Research Scholarships - Schedule B - Ranking and Selection Process.

Ranking of Scholarship Applicants

(41) Schools will nominate a minimum of 30% of their allocated scholarships to the top-ranked applicants across all research areas within the school. The remaining ranked applicants will be nominated on merit to scholarships allocated to target areas of research within the school.

(42) After school ranking is complete the Board of Graduate Research will determine which school-ranked applicants will receive the relevant award.

(43) All offers of candidature will be accompanied by an offer of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship (domestic candidates) independently of whether they are also to receive a stipend under any other scholarship scheme.

Offers

(44) All scholarship offers are conditional on a successful offer of candidature. Offers of candidature may be conditional on meeting certain provisions such as English language requirements, confirmation of an honours result,and receipt of original documentation.

(45) The scholarship holder will commence studies within such period as La Trobe University will allow. Normally the scholarship will be taken up no later than 31 March in the year for which the scholarship is offered; any extension beyond this date, arising from exceptional circumstances, must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

(46) The University reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a scholarship if an applicant does not reply to the offer by the date specified or does not commence studies by the allowed date.

(47) Applicants who have been unsuccessful in their application for a scholarship will be notified in writing following the conclusion of the round. Applicants who have been unsuccessful in one round may apply in subsequent rounds.

Part E - Supervision and Resources

(48) Applications will only be considered where appropriate supervision and resources are available to support the proposed research project.

(49) All candidates offered candidature and/or a scholarship at La Trobe University will be:

  1. allocated a minimum of two supervisors throughout their candidature and a progress committee to support their research according to the conditions outlined in the Graduate Research Supervision Policy and other relevant candidature and progress policies
  2. provided with appropriate facilities and resources to undertake their research projects in accordance with the Support for Research Postgraduates Policy.

Part F - Right of Review

(50) Appeals will be considered only in relation to the application of this policy, procedure and associated schedules.

(51) Candidates wishing to appeal a decision in relation to a scholarship must do so in writing to the Board of Graduate Research within 20 working days of the date of the written notice of the decision.

(52) In any appeal members of the Board who were not involved in the original decision will consider the appeal.

(53) Scholarship applicants or holders not satisfied with the outcome of any review may seek a review from the University Ombudsman.

(54) Where a scholarship is awarded as a result of a successful appeal and the appeal finds that the original decision not to award was made in error as a consequence of the consideration of the application by the academic school then the school will be responsible for funding any awarded stipend until the commencement of the following academic year.
 

Part G - Acknowledgement of Scholarships

(55) Candidates holding a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship, RTP Stipend or RTP Allowance are required to acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution of an RTP Scholarship in any published materials related to the higher degree by research. This relates to any time, both during and after completion of the higher degree by research, and includes items such as books, articles, newsletters or other literary or artistic works. The RTP scholarship holder must acknowledge receipt of this support using the exact phrase:

This work was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.
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Section 5 - Definitions

(56) Nil.

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Section 6 - Stakeholders

(57) Responsibility for implementation – Dean of Graduate Studies

(58) Responsibility for monitoring implementation and compliance – Board of Graduate Research