1. Purpose of procedures
1.1 These procedures give effect to the Research Training Program Scholarships – Academic Policy and support the administration of Higher Degree from Research scholarships within the framework of the Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes – Academic Policy.
1.2 They must be read in conjunction with the Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025 and, where applicable, the relevant Research Training Program Scholarship Schedule of Conditions or UniSC Scholarship Schedule of Conditions..
2. Scope and application
2.1 These procedures apply to all higher degree by research (HDR) candidates who are applying for, or are in receipt of, a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarship, administered by the Graduate Research School.
2.2 These procedures are supported by the Higher Degree by Research Scholarship - Awarding Guidelines
3. Definitions
3.1 Please refer to the University’s Glossary of Terms for definitions as they specifically relate to policy documents.
4. Procedures
4.1 Scholarship Establishment
4.1.1 Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships
The Australian Commonwealth Government provides the RTP block grant to support the research training of domestic and overseas students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research.
4.1.1.1 Financial Services monitors RTP block grant expenditure and advises the Graduate Research School as to the maximum number of RTP Scholarships that can be awarded in each year, including the number of international places available under the Commonwealth Guidelines 10% cap.
- The Graduate Research School establishes UniSC’s RTP funded scholarships in two ways:
- Where the research topic is pre-defined to support UniSC Research projects. These scholarships are established and advertised ad-hoc throughout the year, in accordance with section 4.2, or
- Where the research topic is open for applicants to design in collaboration with a UniSC Principal Supervisor. These scholarships are available for application during major RTP “rounds”, typically one in each half of the year as prescribed by the Dean Graduate Research and Researcher Development.
- RTP Scholarships include stipend, allowances, and tuition fees.
- Continuing students that have been offered and commenced a RTP Tuition Fees Offset Scholarship retain their benefits in accordance with their initial offer.
4.1.2 UniSC Research Scholarships
UniSC Research Scholarships are funded by a combination of University-funded (other than RTP funds) and external contributions including philanthropic donations, competitive grant funding and industry partners.
4.1.2.1 UniSC Research Scholarships are established as required by academic staff members in liaison with the Graduate Research School and the Office of Research, in accordance with the process Establishing and Awarding a UniSC Research Scholarship (login required). The Principal Supervisor/Chief Investigator assembles a scholarship assessment panel, following the School/Institute’s requirements, with final approval from the Dean of Graduate Research and Researcher Development. The panel typically consists of the Principal Supervisor and two other relevant academics with expertise in the scholarship’s area. The panel members review the submitted applications.
4.1.2.2 UniSC Research Scholarships can provide full tuition fee support only, or tuition fee support with stipend and allowances.
4.1.3 UniSC Top-Up Scholarships
4.1.3.1 UniSC Top-Up Scholarships are funded by academic supervisory teams or from externally awarded grants administered by a Chief Investigator (a UniSC academic staff member). The assignment of this funding to a HDR candidate is at the discretion of the academic supervisory team or Chief Investigator in line with the project requirements.
4.1.3.2 A competitive selection process is not applicable to the awarding of UniSC Top-Up Scholarships.
4.1.3.3 UniSC Top-Up Scholarships are only available to candidates who have been made an offer of admission to program or are an active candidate in their program. Candidates who have been offered a UniSC Top-Up Scholarship will be made a UniSC Top-Up Scholarship offer in accordance with section 4.3.2 and may choose to accept of decline this offer of scholarship in accordance with Section 4.4.1.
4.1.3.4 UniSC Top-Up Scholarship recipients may also be in receipt of a concurrent Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship or UniSC Research Scholarship (UniSCRS), provided the offer of an additional UniSC Top-Up Scholarship does not contravene any conditions of the pre-existing RTP or UniSCRS
4.1.3.5 The administration and disbursement of payments of UniSC Top-Up Scholarships may be either fortnightly or completed as a lump sum as per individual requirements of the project.
4.1.4 UniSC HDR Industry Internship Scholarships
4.1.4.1 PhD candidates undertaking an approved eligible HDR Industry Internship may be eligible for a HDR Industry Internship stipend, for a period of up to 3 calendar months, to support the candidate’s participation in the HDR Industry Internship. Masters by Research candidates are ineligible for HDR Industry Internships or associated HDR Industry Internship stipends.
4.1.4.2 PhD candidates in receipt of a HDR Industry Internship stipend will have their existing scholarship assignments paused during the period they are in receipt of a HDR Industry Internship stipend.
4.1.4.3 The HDR Industry Internship Stipend value is equivalent to the current domestic base rate stipend in place at the time of awarding.
4.1.4.4 The award of a HDR Industry Internship stipend is a non-competitive process, and is determined by the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development, as part of the HDR Industry Internship approval process. Candidates are only eligible to receive a HDR Industry Internship Stipend once throughout their candidature.
4.1.4.5 In the cases where HDR Industry Internship Research End-Users (Industry Partners) elect to provide funding support towards the internship at an amount greater than the equivalent of the current domestic base rate stipend, then the HDR Industry Internship Stipend amount will be increased to reflect the contribution amount from the Industry Partner.
4.2 Application and Selection
4.2.1 RTP Scholarship Rounds
4.2.1.1The Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development sets an application open and closing date. Complete applications received on or before the closing date will be considered. Late applications and or supporting documentation cannot be considered.
4.2.1.2 Applicants address each of the eligibility and selection criteria by attaching supporting documentary evidence to their HDR Scholarship application form. Applicants are responsible for providing all relevant documentation in support of their application. When applications are deemed ineligible for consideration, applicants must be notified prior to selection panel consideration.
4.2.1.3 Applications eligible for admission to a HDR program are forwarded to the Scholarships Selection Panel (the panel) for academic assessment against the selection criteria. Refer to the relevant HDR Scholarship advertisement on the University website, for information on how to apply, the eligibility and selection criteria.
4.2.1.4 A HDR Scholarships Selection Panel (the Panel) is be appointed by the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development to consider applications for all RTP Scholarships. The Panel must rank each eligible application in order of merit as outlined in the Higher Degrees by Research Scholarships - Awarding Guidelines, and prepare an order of merit list for the Dean, Graduate Research to consider.
4.2.1.5 The order of merit list is ratified by the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development. Once an order of merit list has been ratified, changes will only be made in response to a decision regarding a review or appeal, or when finalising provisional grades.
4.2.1.6 The order of merit list is confidential, and distribution limited at the discretion of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) or Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development. The Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development, reserves the right to use discretion in the allocation of any scholarships including the number of scholarships offered each year within the limits of available funding.
4.2.2 UniSC Research Project Scholarships (ad-hoc)
4.2.2.1 After the Principal Supervisor/Chief Investigator establishes the scholarship, the scholarship opportunity is advertised through official University channels, including the University website, Research Scholarship portal and other relevant platforms.
4.2.2.2 Prospective scholarship applicants review the scholarship advertisement and its requirements. Interested applicants submit their application on the appropriate UniSC platform. Applications to scholarship must address related eligibility and selection criteria as per instructions provided within the advertisement.
4.2.2.3 The Scholarship Assessment Panel (the Panel) is appointed by the Principal Supervisor/Chief Investigator at the point of scholarship establishment. The Panel reviews the applications and evaluates the applicants based on the published eligibility and selection criteria. The scores of the individual Panel members are combined in preparation for moderation by the Chief Investigator to assist in further selection processes including, but not limited to, interviews and reference checks.
4.2.2.4 The Principal Supervisor/Chief Investigator submits the recommendation of the preferred candidate to the Graduate Research School for the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development’s final approval using the Recommendation to Award template (login required). If a suitable applicant is not identified, the Principal Supervisor will liaise with the Graduate Research School to notify applicants of the outcome, and to readvertise the scholarship.
4.2.2.5 If the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development approve the preferred scholarship candidate, the candidate is invited to formally apply for admission to the relevant Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program. The candidate is provided with instructions for the formal application process by the Graduate Research School with the Principal Supervisor to support the candidate in preparing a suitable application.
4.2.2.6 If the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development does not approve the preferred scholarship candidate, the Principal Supervisor and applicants are notified and if suitable the scholarship is readvertised. If no suitable applicants are identified in the advertisement window, then a scholarship may be readvertised.
4.2.3 UniSC Tuition Fee Offset Only Scholarships
Applications for UniSC Tuition Fee Offset Scholarships are open year-round.
4.2.3.1 All domestic applicants are automatically considered for UniSC Tuition Fee Offset Scholarships as part of their application for admission to Higher Degree by Research candidature at UniSC.
4.2.3.2 International applicants are considered for advertised UniSC Research Scholarships where provision for international tuition fees is included, or following selection through an international RTP scholarship round.
4.2.3.3 UniSC Tuition Fee Offset Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development, in support of UniSC’s Strategic Plan.
4.3 Outcome of Scholarship Application
4.3.1 The Graduate Research School advises applicants of the outcome of their scholarship application as soon as possible on receipt of advice from the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development.
4.3.2 Successful applicants to a scholarship are provided with an offer letter. All scholarship offer letters must clearly stipulate:
- the name of the scholarship being offered;
- The fund source for the scholarship (e.g. if RTP funded)
- the duration of the scholarship;
- the inclusions in the scholarship (e.g., tuition fees and whether a stipend and allowance are offered);
- details of any partnering organisations where suitable
- estimated total value of the scholarship (based on current year’s tuition fee rates and stipend base rate);
- eligibility and selection criteria in accordance with the Higher Degrees by Research Scholarships - Awarding Guidelines, including any criteria which the recipient must maintain eligibility for throughout their enrolment;
- links to the applicable scholarship’s Schedule of Conditions; and
- The process for accepting the offer.
4.3.3 Unsuccessful applicants for UniSC Research Scholarship (Tuition Fee Offset) that are accepted for admission to the program, can receive an offer for admission on a tuition fee paying place as per the Higher Degrees by Research Admission and Enrolment - Guidelines.
4.4 Acceptance
4.4.1 Successful applicants must return advice regarding their acceptance of the HDR Scholarship offer by the stated due date (normally within one month of offer). Applicants who do not respond by the due date forfeit their HDR Scholarship offer and an offer will be made to the next applicant on the order of merit list.
4.4.2 Recipients of a RTP funded Scholarship must commence within the calendar year of the offered start date.
4.4.3 Successful applicants may request a single deferment of commencement. The application for deferral must comply with the Higher Degrees by Research Admission and Enrolment – Guidelines and be approved by the relevant Principal Supervisor, Dean of School and the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development.
4.5 Scholarship maintenance
Candidates in receipt of a HDR Scholarship at the University are governed by the Higher Degrees by Research – Academic Policy and associated Procedures.
4.5.1 HDR Scholarship holders must familiarise themselves with the relevant Scholarship Schedule of Conditions provided to them with their offer.
4.5.2 HDR Scholarship holders who fail to notify the University of a change to their circumstances which impacts their HDR Scholarship entitlements will be required to repay any subsequent overpayment, usually through suspension of payments until such an overpayment is balanced.
4.5.3 Candidates who are found to have provided misleading or inaccurate information to the University will be immediately reassessed for their eligibility for a HDR Scholarship.
4.6 Discontinuation of HDR Scholarships
4.6.1 HDR Scholarships are discontinued under the following circumstances:
- when UniSC Research Scholarship holder fails to comply with the Schedule of Conditions provided with their offer (including any addendums);
- when the student ceases to be enrolled full-time, unless receiving prior approval to hold the award on a part-time basis;
- when candidature is discontinued;
- when an HDR candidate does not resume study after a period of leave or does not make arrangements to extend that period of leave in a timely manner;
- upon the death, incapacity, resignation or withdrawal of the candidate; or
- whichever occurs first:
- submission of the thesis or exegesis for examination (stipends only);
- the end of the period for which it was granted; or
- the completion of the program.
4.6.2 All benefits cease on the date of discontinuation of the scholarship.
4.6.3 When HDR scholarship is terminated, it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error.
4.7 Student Complaints
4.7.1 An unsuccessful applicant, or a HDR Scholarship recipient may raise a complaint about a decision relating to a HDR Scholarship in accordance with the Student Complaints Resolution – Academic Policy and Procedures. Regarding 4.5b of the Procedures, information introducing new issues or matters unrelated to the original application will not be considered.
5. Authorities and responsibilities
5.1 As the Approval Authority, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) approves these procedures to operationalise the Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes – Academic Policy, Research Training Program Scholarships – Academic Policy and Higher Degrees by Research - Academic Policy.
5.2 As the Responsible Executive Member the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) can approve guidelines to further support the operationalisation of these procedures. All procedures and guidelines must be compatible with the provisions of the policy they operationalise.
5.3 As the Designated Officer the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development can approve associated documents to support the application of these guidelines.
5.4 These procedures operate from the last amended date, with all previous iterations of Higher Degrees by Research Scholarship procedures are replaced and no longer operating from this date.
5.5 All records relating to the HDR Scholarships must be stored and managed in accordance with the Records Management - Procedures.
5.6 These guidelines must be maintained in accordance with the University Policy Documents - Procedures and reviewed on standard 3 year policy review cycle.
5.7 Any exception to these guidelines to enable a more appropriate result must be approved in accordance with the University Policy Documents – Procedures prior to any deviation from these guidelines.
5.8 Refer to Schedule C of the Delegations Manual in relation to the approved delegations and authorisations detailed within these guidelines.
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