TEAM Spencer Muscular Dystrophy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research 2016 CONDITIONS The TEAM Spencer Muscular Dystrophy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research is available to students eligible for enrolment in a PhD degree by research at a Western Australian University ("the University"). The requirements, regulations and benefits contained in these conditions of award apply to commencing and continuing students and are based on those determined by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and contained within the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2012 made under section 238-10 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and are subject to change from time to time. If a continuing award holder would be disadvantaged by any regulation in comparison with the relevant condition in the year of commencement, the original condition will apply. For the purpose of these regulations, the Head of School is the person appointed as Head, acting in that capacity or a Postgraduate Research Coordinator who has been approved by the Board of the Postgraduate Research School to act on matters pertaining to research higher degrees. The Scholarship is governed by the following conditions:- 1. Eligibility To be eligible for the TEAM Spencer Muscular Dystrophy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research, the award holder must: i. be eligible to enrol or be enrolled as a full-time student in a PhD degree by research upon commencement of their award; i be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident; or as an International Student, hold a letter of endorsement and support from a Western Australia University. have completed at least four years of tertiary education studies at a high level of achievement demonstrated by the award of a degree of at least Honours standard or equivalent; be recommended by the Head of School in which the proposed study is to be undertaken and have been accepted into the proposed higher degree by research program by the Board of the Postgraduate Research School; v. not have completed a degree either at the same level as, or at a higher level than, the degree for which candidature is sought; not be in receipt of an award, scholarship or salary to undertake the research higher degree that provides benefits which are similar to, or greater than, the award. CONDITIONS - TEAM Spencer- Muscular Dystrohpy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research - 2016 Page 1 of 5
2. Commencement i. The award holder must commence the degree in the Discipline or School specified in the letter of offer and by the date set by the University or the award may be withdrawn and reallocated to another applicant. If the award holder has not commenced within six months from which the award is made the award may be withdrawn. 3. Tenure of Award The period of tenure of the award will be three years. 4. Review of Progress / Reports i. A review of the progress of the award holder must be conducted each year and will be used by Muscular Dystrophy WA to determine whether the award, within the time limit stipulated, is to be continued. Reports will advise the actual or planned date of commencement of work on the research project, the planned date of completion, a narrative describing progress, revised timings (if necessary) and any other points of interest noted in the work in progress. The review is to include commentary from the award holder and the identified Supervisor(s). 5. Stipend Failure to submit an annual report to Muscular Dystrophy WA no later than 31 May each year may result in the award being suspended and/or terminated. i. The Scholarship carries a stipend of $32,500 [equivalent to an Australian Postgraduate Award or a University Postgraduate Award ($26,288 pa 2016 rate) plus Top-Up ($6,212 pa in 2016)] and is indexed annually by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Payments of half the annual amount are made in June and December each year on receipt by Muscular Dystrophy WA of a valid Tax Invoice from the University. i If the relevant valid Tax Invoice is not submitted to Muscular Dystrophy WA by the University within six months of it being due, Muscular Dystrophy WA may suspend or terminate the award. The level of the stipend will not be reduced during the period of the award. 6. Research at Other Organisations (within Australia) The University may approve an award holder conducting fieldwork or undertaking a substantial amount of research in Australia at organisations outside the higher education system provided adequate support, supervision, training and research freedom for the student is available at the other organisation. Applications to conduct such fieldwork or research must be approved by Muscular Dystrophy WA and on the understanding that the University will remain responsible for the student. 7. Employment i. A scholarship holder may undertake only a strictly limited amount of paid employment, at the discretion of their supervisor. CONDITIONS - TEAM Spencer- Muscular Dystrohpy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research - 2016 Page 2 of 5
8. Transfer The University cannot require a student to undertake employment. The Head of School in which a student is enrolled will be responsible for ensuring that excessive part-time employment is not undertaken to the detriment of the student's studies. i. If unforeseen and exceptional circumstances arise (such as the supervisor leaving the University and no suitable replacement being available) a student who has already completed at least six months of the program may request a transfer to another institution. i Transfer arrangements are agreed between institutions, subject to the award holder being offered a research degree place at the new institution and the new institution agreeing to support the student on the same terms and conditions as the University. If a student transfers earlier than six months into the degree without the approval of the University the award will be terminated and reallocated. The University or Muscular Dystrophy WA may refuse a transfer if it is believed the circumstances presented do not warrant a transfer. v. The fact that an award has been transferred does not constitute sufficient grounds for a subsequent extension of the award. 9. Suspension i. Where students are unable to pursue the degree, they must seek approval in the first instance from their supervisor and Head of School for a period of suspension. Such applications must be submitted to Muscular Dystrophy WA for consideration. i If the proposed suspension is to commence after the first six months and is of less than twelve months' duration, Muscular Dystrophy WA may, at its discretion, approve the suspension. Failure of the award holder to resume study or to make arrangements to extend a period of suspension within the specified time will result in the award being terminated. If the proposed suspension is to commence within the first six months or the accumulated period of the suspension(s) is of more than twelve months' duration an application must be made to Muscular Dystrophy WA to seek approval of the suspension. The application will only be considered if there are exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the student. A suspension, or accumulated periods of suspension, of more than twelve months' duration or one that commences within the first six months without the written permission of Muscular Dystrophy WA will be a breach of these guidelines and the award will be terminated immediately. v. An award holder who suspends an award must suspend candidature in the degree for the commensurate period. Periods of study undertaken during suspension of the award must be deducted from the maximum period of tenure on award. v The University must endeavour to ensure that award holders are advised of their option to suspend rather than relinquish their awards (subject also to meeting the requirements relating to suspension of candidature), thus keeping open the option of resuming their awards at a later date. Suspensions must not exceed one year in total under any circumstances. CONDITIONS - TEAM Spencer- Muscular Dystrohpy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research - 2016 Page 3 of 5
10. Termination i. The University on behalf of Muscular Dystrophy WA must terminate an award: i On submission of the thesis or the death, incapacity or withdrawal of the student or at the end of the award, whichever is earlier; If in the opinion of the University or Muscular Dystrophy WA, the course of study is not being carried out with competence or in accordance with the offer of award, and no suitable alternate arrangements can be made for continuation of the postgraduate degree; If the student ceases to be a full-time student; v. If the award holder does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of suspension. If an award is terminated, it cannot be reactivated unless the termination occurred in error. 11. Specific University Obligations a) Supervision The University has established and must abide by a Code of Good Practice for Graduate Research Supervision, or equivalent. Award holders are required to read the Code of Good Practice for Graduate Research Supervision, or equivalent. b) Administration i. The University must be fair and equitable in the use of its discretionary powers. i The University must abide by Information Privacy Principles. The University must advise students of appropriate appeal mechanisms for the resolution of any academic disputes that might arise during their candidature. The University must pay the student all entitlements due under the award. v. The University indemnifies Muscular Dystrophy WA & TEAM Spencer from any expense arising from any action that may be made or brought against Muscular Dystrophy WA resulting from activities funded under the TEAM Spencer Muscular Dystrophy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research. v vi The University must provide the award holder with adequate facilities and appropriate supervision. The University must make provision for Student Plan Personal Accident Insurance. All correspondence, publicity or other items relating to this scholarship and/or the research funded under this scholarship must use the words TEAM Spencer Muscular Dystrophy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research. 12. Specific Scholarship Holder Obligations i. Scholarship holders will be required to make themselves available to attend selected Muscular Dystrophy WA functions. Scholarship holders must inform the University and Muscular Dystrophy WA at least two weeks in advance if they intend to suspend, terminate or change their enrolment to part-time. Failure to provide this notice may result in overpayment of allowances that must be recovered from the student. CONDITIONS - TEAM Spencer- Muscular Dystrohpy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research - 2016 Page 4 of 5
i Students must diligently, and to the best of their ability, apply themselves to the successful completion of the degree. Students must abide by the NHMRC codes on human and animal experimentation, guidelines established by the Australian Government Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee and rulings of the safety and ethics committees of the University. v. Students must conform to the regulations (including disciplinary provisions) of the University. 13. Liability Students must provide all reports required by the University and Muscular Dystrophy WA including an annual report submitted through the supervisor and Head of School. If either the University or Muscular Dystrophy WA do not consider that progress is satisfactory, the award will be terminated or the student placed on probation. Muscular Dystrophy WA does not accept liability for injury or damage suffered or caused by the student. CONDITIONS - TEAM Spencer- Muscular Dystrohpy WA PhD Scholarship for SMA Research - 2016 Page 5 of 5