Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research (CYSAR) PhD Scholarships 2014 1. Background The Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research (CYSAR) is focused on undertaking research into youth substance abuse and associated mental health conditions to develop new knowledge, interventions and support resources to help young people overcome their addictions and regain their lives. CYSAR is based at the University of Queensland's School of Medicine and comprises a multidisciplinary team of researchers from s Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and the University of Queensland. Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research (CYSAR) Scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional research potential undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Research projects available in 2014 Students can either propose their own research project in the area of youth substance abuse area, or they can undertake research in the following: Development of web and mobile phone based interventions for youth substance misuse RCT of the efficacy of brief web-based interventions for psychotic like experiences in young cannabis users Development and evaluation of a brief intervention training program for ED staff working with young people with alcohol related injuries/illnesses To discuss the proposed research project and supervisory arrangement please liaise with Associate Professor Leanne Hides (Deputy Director, Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research; leanne.hides@qut.edu.au; +61 7 3138 6144) 2. Basic Eligibility Requirements 2.1 Both domestic and international students are welcome to apply for a CYSAR PhD Scholarship. 2.2 To be eligible for this award, a student must: 2.1.2 have completed a Bachelor Degree with Honours 1 or 2A, or meet QUT s requirements for Honours 1 or 2A Equivalence (see Section 3 below); and 2.1.3 be undertaking a higher degree research (HDR) course at QUT with a candidature commencement date no earlier than 1 January of the year preceding the start of the scholarship; and 2.1.4 be enrolled as a full-time student unless CYSAR has approved a part-time scholarship under Section 4 of these Guidelines; and 2.1.5 not already have completed a degree at the same level or at a higher level as the proposed candidature; and 2.1.6 not normally be receiving an equivalent award, scholarship or salary providing a benefit greater that 75% of the scholarship stipend rate. Income earned from sources unrelated to the course of study is not subject to the 75% rule. 1 P age
3. Equivalent attainment to bachelor with Honours 1 or 2A Honours 3.1 If a student does not hold a Bachelor degree with Honours 1 or 2A, then QUT may determine that the student has demonstrated an equivalent level of academic attainment. In determining that a student has demonstrated an equivalent level of academic attainment, QUT may consider previous study, relevant work experience, research publications, referees reports and other research experience. Please refer to Appendix 1 for a list of criteria considered by QUT to be equivalent to H1 and H2A levels. 4. Approval of a part-time CYSAR PhD Scholarship 4.1 CYSAR may approve a part-time scholarship for a student only if the student is a domestic student and the student has exceptional circumstances 4.2 For the purpose of paragraph 2.3.1, CYSAR must be satisfied that the exceptional circumstances relate to significant caring commitments or a medical condition which limits the student s capacity to undertake full-time study. 4.3 Examples of caring commitments include, but are not limited to: 4.3.1 caring responsibilities for a pre-school child; or, 4.3.2 caring responsibilities for school-aged children as a sole parent with limited access to outside support; or, 4.3.3 caring responsibilities for an invalid or disabled spouse, child or parent. 4.4 A Statutory Declaration, Birth Certificate or other proof is necessary to substantiate any of the conditions above. 4.5 In determining exceptional circumstances when approving a part-time scholarship, CYSAR will not determine that a student is in exceptional circumstances unless it is satisfied that the student s personal or family circumstances are such that it would be unreasonable to expect the student to study on a full-time basis. 4.6 Part-time awards are not available to applicants seeking to undertake paid employment on a full-time or substantial part-time basis, and recipients are subject to the same restrictions on the amount of employment as full-time recipients. 4.7 Part-time awards are expected to progress at half the time of full-time awardees. 4.8 A student who has a part-time Scholarship may revert to full-time study at any time with the permission of QUT. 5. Applications 5.1 Students interested in applying for this scholarship are asked to follow a two stage process: i. Contact Associate Professor Leanne Hides (Deputy Director, Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research; leanne.hides@qut.edu.au; +61 7 3138 6144) to discuss the proposed research project topic and eligibility. ii. Either: a. If not yet enrolled in a QUT higher degree by research, apply for admission (refer to http://www.qut.edu.au/study/applying/phd-and-research-degree-applications) 2 P age
6. Selection Process b. Or, if currently enrolled in a QUT higher degree by research, apply during the annual scholarship round via QUT Virtual. QUT maintains a research scholarship selection policy which accords with these Rules and the fairness requirements in Subdivision 19-D of Part 2-1 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003. The CYSAR Scholarship Committee selects students for a CYSAR PhD Scholarship in accordance with this policy. 7. Value and payment of award 7.1. The CYSAR PhD Scholarship carries a rate of $30,000 per annum (full time rate, tax exempt) or $15,000 per annum (part time rate, taxable) paid in the form of a fortnightly stipend. CYSAR reserves the right to review the stipend rate annually. 7.2. Upon application to the Centre Management Committee, up to $10,000 per annum will be provided to full-time students for research maintenance costs. 7.3. This award does not provide a relocation or thesis allowance. 7.4. International recipients of a Scholarship will, subject to approval of the Faculty of Health, be awarded a QUT HDR Tuition Fee Sponsorship for the duration of their course. 8. Duration of a CYSAR PhD Scholarship 8.1. The maximum period of tenure for a CYSAR PhD Scholarship shall be 3 years full-time (or 6 years part-time). CYSAR PhD Scholarships will not be extended. 8.2. The duration of a CYSAR PhD Scholarship will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken: 8.3.1 towards the degree prior to the commencement of the scholarship; or 8.3.2 towards the degree during deferral of the scholarship (unless study was undertaken as part of an Australian Government-supported international postgraduate research scholarship or award). 8.3. If a part-time scholarship is converted to a full-time scholarship then the period of time that the student is regarded as having been in receipt of the part-time scholarship immediately prior to the conversion will be halved for the purpose of determining the duration the student is regarded as having been in receipt of a full-time scholarship immediately after conversion. 8.4. If a full-time scholarship is converted to a part-time scholarship then the period of time that the student is regarded as having been in receipt of the full-time scholarship immediately prior to the conversion will be double for the purpose of determining the duration of a part-time scholarship immediately after conversion. 9. CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP 9.1. Ongoing Eligibility Satisfactory progress in the course of enrolment is a requirement for ongoing eligibility for a CYSAR PhD Scholarship. QUT monitor students progress through Annual Progress Reports, timely completion of degree milestones, and performance in coursework requirements. 9.2. Suspension 9.2.1 A scholarship recipient may apply to the Research Degrees Committee for leave of absence from the PhD and suspension of the scholarship for periods up to twelve months (refer to 3 P age
section 5.3.7.iv within MOPP D/5.3 Higher degree research candidates at http://www.mopp.qut.edu.au/d/d_05_03.jsp). 9.2.2 If prior approval of a suspension is not obtained, the scholarship recipient shall be deemed to be absent without permission and the scholarship shall terminate. 9.2.3 If the scholarship recipient does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of suspension, or does not make arrangements to extend that period of suspension, the award will terminate. 9.3. Transfer of award CYSAR PhD Scholarships are only for study at QUT and cannot be transferred. 9.4. Leave Entitlements 9.4.1. Students are entitled to receive up to 20 working days paid recreation leave and 10 working days paid sick leave for each year of the CYSAR PhD Scholarship. These leave entitlements may be accrued over the life of the CYSAR PhD Scholarship but will be forfeited when the CYSAR PhD Scholarship is terminated. These leave entitlements can be taken at any time within the term of the award by agreement with the supervisor and do not require RDC approval or notification. Milestone dates will not be adjusted and satisfactory progress must be maintained. All leave must be managed so that it has no adverse impact on the satisfactory completion of your course. 9.4.2. Students may apply to RDC for leave of absence from their degree and suspension of the CYSAR PhD Scholarship for periods up to twelve months. Periods of leave greater than 20 days must be approved by the RDC. 9.4.3. Paid sick, maternity or partner/carer leave is not provided under this award. Scholarship recipients who become primary carer of a new child and would like to have a long-term parental leave may access the normal suspension provisions (refer to section 9.2 Suspension). 9.4.4. CYSAR PhD Scholarship recipients must apply for leave of absence before the leave of absence occurs to ensure scholarship payments are suspended in a timely manner or the correct paid leave entitlements are applied to the duration of the recipient s leave. 9.5. Employment 9.5.1. Domestic students may undertake work outside the HDR subject to the approval of QUT. International students may undertake work consistent with the conditions of their student visa and subject to the approval of QUT prior to undertaking such work. 9.5.2. A full time student in receipt of a CYSAR PhD Scholarship is required to commit to their course of study not less than 30 hours per week, during the normal working week. With the approval of the supervisory panel and Head of School in which the course of study is being undertaken (following the advice of the principal supervisor), the student may engage in a limited amount of part-time employment provided that such employment does not interfere with the course of study. Students, therefore, are allowed to undertake between 8 to 10 hours during the normal working week. 9.5.3. The supervisory panel will report on the amount of part-time employment during the normal working week in the Annual Progress Report. 9.5.4. There is no limit on how much income an award holder can receive from part-time work which is not related to the research topic. 4 P age
9.5.5. QUT reserves the right to terminate the award of any recipient whose progress, as a result of additional work undertaken, is not satisfactory. 9.5.6. QUT will not approve a student undertaking work unless it is satisfied that the work will not interfere with the student s study for their HDR. 9.6. Termination of award 9.2.4 CYSAR may terminate an award if: a) after due enquiry, it concludes that the candidate has not satisfied the eligibility criteria; or b) after consulting a candidate s supervisors and having taken account of all relevant circumstances, the Committee is of the opinion that: c) the candidate has effectively discontinued his/her studies or has changed course or project and is no longer aligned to CYSAR research priorities; or d) the candidate is making unsatisfactory progress in the course of study; or e) the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the offer of the award and no suitable alternative arrangements can be made for continuation of the postgraduate degree; or f) the candidate has committed serious misconduct including, but not limited to, the provision of false or misleading information (see section 13); or g) the necessary prior approval for a period of absence has not been obtained; or h) the scholarship recipient does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of suspension, or does not make arrangements to extend that period of suspension; or i) the student ceases to be a full-time student and approval has not been obtained to hold the award on a part-time basis; or j) the scholarship recipient accepts another equivalent award, scholarship or salary to undertake their research higher degree. 9.2.5 If an award is terminated it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error. 9.2.6 The award shall terminate when the soft-bound thesis is lodged with the Research Students centre for external examination, or at the end of the scholarship, whichever is earlier, or upon the death, incapacity, resignation or withdrawal of the student. 9.7. Provision of False or Misleading Information If QUT knows or has reason to believe that a student in receipt of a CYSAR PhD Scholarship has provided false or misleading information to QUT in relation to the CYSAR PhD Scholarship, QUT will immediately re-assess the student s entitlement to the CYSAR PhD Scholarship. 10. MISCELLANEOUS 10.1. Overpayment of a scholarship If, in the opinion of QUT, a student has been overpaid any part of a CYSAR PhD Scholarship entitlement (either through the failure of the student to comply with these Rules or for any other reason), the student will be required repay the full amount of the overpayment, without deduction within thirty days of being requested to do so by QUT. 10.2. Appeals 5 P age
Students have the right to appeal against decisions made by CYSAR or QUT in relation to their CYSAR PhD Scholarship. In the event of a dispute arising, the student should first approach his or her supervisor who will then direct the student through the appropriate channels within QUT. The Research Degrees Committee has the authority to hear appeals from applicants who consider that their application has been incorrectly assessed. Appeals can only be heard against process issues and not against committee decisions or assessor ratings and comments. 10.3. Contacts CYSAR PhD Scholarships are jointly administered by: QUT Research Students Centre Administrative Officer (Scholarships) Level 4, 88 Musk Avenue Kelvin Grove QLD 4059 GPO Box 2434 Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia Tel: +61 7 3138 4923 or +61 7 3138 2932 Fax: +61 7 3138 1304 Email: research.scholarships@qut.edu.au Research and Administration Services Manager 60 Musk Avenue Kelvin Grove QLD 4059 GPO Box 2434 Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia Tel: +61 7 3138 6422 Fax: +61 7 3138 6030 Email: ihbiresearch@qut.edu.au For enquiries related to admission and scholarship commencement, please contact the Faculty of Health Research Services: Dr Jessica Harriden Senior Research Services Officer Faculty of Health Tel: +61 7 3138 8290 Email: health.research@qut.edu.au 6 P age
Appendix 1: Criteria for achieving H2A or H1 equivalence Equivalent Honours Level First Class Honours (H1) Upper Second Class (H2A) Criteria A completed degree comparable to the educational level of an Australian Honours degree in the First Class (H1) 1 A completed degree comparable to the educational level of an Australian Research Master 2 A current doctoral enrolment with a timely 3 Confirmation of Candidature or a timely 3 Articulation from a Research Master At least one: (i) Sole or first authored: o refereed 4 article in a scholarly journal (HERDC C1); or o refereed 4, full written conference publication (HERDC E1); or o authored or scholarly research book or book chapter (HERDC A1, A2 or B); or o commissioned and peer reviewed 4 creative works, or refereed exhibition of creative artefacts (HERDC J1 or J2); OR (ii) Refereed creative or design work that has received respected public/industry reviews in state or national/international media; OR (iii) Creative or design work that is the recipient of a grant from authorised philanthropic trusts and/or state and federal arts funding body. A completed degree comparable to the educational level of an Australian Honours degree in the Upper Second Class (H2A) 1 A completed Coursework Master with greater than 25% research and an overall GPA of at least 5.0 on a 7-point scale A current doctoral enrolment with a non-timely 3 Confirmation of Candidature or Articulation from Research Master A current doctoral enrolment with a completed Stage 2 milestone 1 For the purpose of QUT s admission and scholarship assessment process, the degree being awarded the honours level must be assessed as comparable to an AQF Bachelor Honours Degree. QUT uses Australian Education international s National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) and the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK-NARIC) to assist in determining comparability to Australian qualifications. 2 AQF definition of a research degree requires it to contain a minimum of 2/3 (two thirds) research. 3 For the purpose of QUT s admission and scholarship assessment process, a timely doctoral confirmation of candidature and articulation is one that is completed within one month of the due date as stipulated within QUT doctoral policy). 4 An acceptable peer review or referee process is one that involves an assessment or review of the research publication in its entirety by independent, qualified experts before publication. Independent in this context means independent of the author. (2012 Higher Education Research Data Collection Specifications, C/9.6, www.innovation.gov.au/research/researchblockgrants/documents/2012herdcspecifications.pdf) Where CYSAR believes an applicant demonstrates higher research capability than their Honours Equivalence score allocates, an Honours Equivalence or Incomplete Degree Argument form can be submitted for consideration by the Research Degrees Committee Chair. 7 P age