Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship International CONDITIONS OF AWARD 2017 (Applicable to continuing international Higher Degree by Research students only) Important notice From 1 January 2017, Australian Government support currently provided by the Research Training Scheme (RTS), Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) schemes, will be replaced by the Research Training Program (RTP), a new single scheme capturing all three of the previous funding schemes. These changes only affect those students funded under the RTS, APA or IPRS schemes. Students funded by other schemes, such as a Tasmanian Graduate Research Scholarship, will not be affected. This change in funding source will not affect your status as a graduate research student, your rights, your stipend (where relevant), nor your obligations; this change is simply a consequence of new legislation and will ultimately make processes more streamlined for universities and students alike. Original Scholarship International Postgraudate Research Scholarship (IPRS) Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) New Scholarship Research Training Program (RTP) International Fees Offset Scholarship Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship 1. Definitions RTP Research Training Program Award Holder A student in receipt of an International RTP Fees Offset and RTP Stipend HDR Higher Degree by Research the University The University of Tasmania, unless otherwise specified continuing student A student enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research on or before 31 December 2016 or an applicant that received a scholarship offer in 2016 for commencement in 2017. 2. Overview 2.1. The RTP provides support for promising researchers with awards available in all fields of study. The RTP is administered by the Department of Education in conjunction with the University of Tasmania (the University). The University administers the entitlements to award holders as per the conditions of the award.
Research Training Program (RTP) International Fees Offset and Stipend Scholarship Conditions of Award 2017 2 2.2. The main objectives of the Research Training Program (RTP) are to: provide flexible funding arrangements to support the training of domestic students and international students undertaking HDRs at Australian Higher Education Providers (HEPs); deliver graduates with the skills required to build careers in academia and other sectors of the labour market; support collaboration between HEPs and industry and other research end users; and support international students undertaking HDRs at Australian HEPs. 2.3. The Research Training Program Scholarship provides the awardee with a: RTP Stipend to assist student with their living costs while undertaking the Higher Degree by Research; RTP International Fees Offset paid to to the University by way of satisfaction of a student s liability for tuition fees; and RTP Allowance to assist students with ancillary costs of a Higher Degree by Research including International Student Health Cover, relocation allowance and thesis allowance 2.4. These conditions are subject to change in line with the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines (Research) 2017. 3. Eligibility 3.1. To be eligible for a RTP Scholarship International a student must: be an International candidate enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research at one of the University s Australian campuses; have completed at least four years of tertiary education studies and have been obtained at least an Australian first class Honours degree or an equivalent qualification which includes a substantial research component, generally a thesis; have a proposed project in an area identified by the University as one of research strength; satisfy all entry requirements for a higher degree by research; provide proof of English language proficency if their first language is not English; meet international student visa requirements as specified by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. 3.2. To be eligible for a RTP Stipend a student must not be receiving income from another source to support that student s general living costs while undertaking their course of study if that income is greater than 75 per cent of that student s RTP Stipend rate. Income unrelated to the student s course of study or income received for the student s course of study but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs is not to be taken into account. 3.3. To be eligible for a RTP International Fees Offset a student must not: be receiving an equivalent award or scholarship from the Commonwealth designed to offset tuition fees for their course of study; or have been granted Permanent Residency Citizenship status in Australia by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
3 Research Training Program (RTP International Fees Offset and Stipens Scholarships Conditions of Award 2017 3.4. The period of support of a International RTP Fees Offset and RTP Stipend is always subject to the awardee making satisfactory academic progress and terminates on the expiry of the Award or on submission of the thesis for examination, whichever is the sooner. 4. Stipend, Fees and Allowances 4.1. In 2017, the RTP Stipend wil provide a living allowance of AUD$26,682 per annum (nontaxable). 4.2. The stipend rate for any subsequent year are the same as that for the preceding year, index in accordance with the method set out in Part 5 6 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003. 4.3. The International RTP Fees Offset pays the international candidate tuition fees for award holders enrolled full time in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at the University. 4.4. In 2017 the International RTP Fees Offset rate will be rate for the Higher Degree by Research as published on the University website at http://www.utas.edu.au/research/degrees/costs. 4.5. The International RTP Fees Offset covers International Student Health Cover for award holders and may also cover dependants. 4.6. An award holder will receive an allowance of up to $420 for costs associated with the production of a Masters thesis or $840 for a PhD thesis subject to the following conditions: The allowance will only be provided where the thesis is submitted for examination within normal candidature duration which is 2 years for a Masters student and 4 years for a PhD student. The amount paid will be up to the maximum rate applicable at the time of submission of the thesis and claims must be lodged within 6 months of submitting your thesis for examination and no more than 2 years after the termination of the scholarship. Students should consult the relevant Thesis Allowance Claim form at the point of submission for more information. Where an award holder is required to submit the thesis for re examination the thesis allowance will only be provided where the resubmission of the thesis occurs within normal candidature duration, as specified above. The combined total of allowance for submission and resubmission cannot exceed the maximum amount. An award holder may apply to the University for a waiver of the relevant time limit on claiming the thesis allowance. Any waiver of the time limit is at the discretion of the Dean of Graduate Research and award holders will be required to provide receipts as proof of expenditure. If a waiver is approved, the award holder may only claim for costs associated with the printing and binding of the thesis (excluding the purchase of computer equipment or printer cartridges, proof reading, editing and postage). 4.7. An award holder who relocates to the University from International is eligible for an allowance of up to AUD$1,500 to assist with relocation costs and airfares. This allowance can only be claimed after arrival at the University. 4.8. Award holders, with dependent children who are enrolling in Tasmanian government schools may receive assistance with English as a Second Language tuition for their children.
Research Training Program (RTP) International Fees Offset and Stipend Scholarship Conditions of Award 2017 4 5. Tenure 5.1. The RTP International Fees Offset and RTP stipend are tenable, subject to satisfactory progression, for: two years full time for award holders undertaking a research Masters degree; or three years full time for award holders undertaking a PhD degree. 5.2. An extension of up to six months may be granted for PhD candidates where the research has been delayed due to circumstances which are beyond the student's control and are related to the conduct of the research rather than of a personal nature. Applications for extensions to scholarship must demonstrate the likelihood of completion within the maximum permitted candidature time. Research Masters students are not eligible for an extension. 5.3. The duration of the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken: towards the degree prior to the commencement of the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend; or towards the degree during suspension of the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend. 5.4. The Dean of Graduate Research may approve the transfer of an RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend from a Masters degree to a PhD. Similarly, an RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend for a PhD degree may be converted to a Masters degree. The maximum duration of a transferred RTP International fees offset and a RTP stipend becomes that for the new degree. 5.5. The RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend terminates on submission of the thesis for examination, or on the expiry of the award, whichever is the sooner. 6. Specific Obligations of Award Holders 6.1. Award holders shall diligently and to the best of their ability apply themselves to the successful completion of the degree. 6.2. The award holder shall abide by the international and Australian codes on human and animal experimentation, the guidelines by the Australian Government's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the rulings of the Safety, Ethics and Institutional Biosafety Committees of the University. 6.3. An award holder is required to conform to the regulations and statutes (including disciplinary provisions) of the University and to the rules and procedures of research higher degrees. 6.4. Award holders must provide all reports required by the University including an annual review of progress submitted through the supervisor and Head of School. If the University does not consider that progress is satisfactory, the award may be terminated or the holder placed on probation.
5 Research Training Program (RTP International Fees Offset and Stipens Scholarships Conditions of Award 2017 7. Acknowledgement of Australian Government support 7.1. As part of the new arrangements there is a legislative requirement that you acknowledge the Australian Government s support in any published materials related to your HDR. This relates to any time, both during and after completion of your HDR. Materials include items such as the thesis or exegesis, books, articles, newsletters or other literary or artistic works which relate to your Higher Degree by Research project. 7.2. The acknowledgement must be in a prominent place and in an appropriate form. The acknowlegdement must include the mention of your support through an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. 8. Other Awards 8.1. Award holders may, with the permission of the Dean of Graduate Research, also receive other minor awards or allowances concurrently with the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend. 8.2. Award holders must immediately notify the if they are offered a stipend top up or any other stipend support. 8.3. The total value of other awards cannot exceed 75 per cent of the RTP Stipend per annum rate. 9. Employment 9.1. Award holders who hold a student visa with permission to work attached as a condition of that visa may undertake a strictly limited amount of paid part time employment provided it does not interfere with the progress of their higher degree by research. 9.2. Approval from the Dean of Graduate Research is required for periods of employment amounting to more than eight hours per week when this work is undertaken during normal business hours (generally 9am 5pm, Monday to Friday). The Head of School or Graduate Research Co ordinator must certify that the work does not interfere with the progress of the research. 10. Transfer 10.1. If a student in receipt of an RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend transfers to another institution, the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend may be transferred with the student in exceptional circumstances only. 10.2. Award holders may continue to receive an RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend only if the University supports the transfer and the new institution agrees to fund the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend. 10.3. A transfer to another institution does not constitute sufficient grounds for a subsequent extension of the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend.
Research Training Program (RTP) International Fees Offset and Stipend Scholarship Conditions of Award 2017 6 12. Suspension 12.1. The total period of suspension from the RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend during its tenure may not exceed 12 months. 12.2. In exceptional circumstances where the award holder can demonstrate reasons outside their control, additional periods of suspension may be granted. No suspension is possible beyond two years in total. 12.3. Periods of study undertaken towards the degree during suspension of the award, will be deducted from the maximum period of tenure. 12.4. Applications for suspensions, endorsed by the supervisor and Head of School, must be submitted to the. 13. Leave Entitlements 13.1. Award holders are entitled to 20 days paid recreation leave each year calculated on a prorata basis. No more than 20 days recreation leave may be accumulated and paid leave must be taken during the tenure of the award. Students should discuss recreation leave with their supervisory team and approval must be obtained from the Graduate Resarch Coordinator before leave is taken. 13.2. Award holders may take up to ten working days of paid sick leave a year and this may be accrued over the tenure of the award. 13.3. For periods of illness lasting longer than 10 days an award holder may receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks. Applications for additional sick leave must be submitted on the appropriate form and be supported by the required documentation. 13.4. Award holders may take up to a maximum of twelve weeks paid maternity leave over the duration of their candidature. Periods of paid maternity leave are in additional to the normal duration of the award. Paid maternity leave may not be taken within the first twelve months of the award, however, unpaid maternity leave may be accessed through the suspension provisions. Applications for maternity leave must be accompanied by medical certification. 13.5. Award holders who are partners of women who are pregnant or have given birth, and who have completed 12 months of their award, may take up to a maximum of 5 days paid leave during the period through 1 week before the expected birth and 5 weeks after the birth of the child. This leave can be taken only once during the tenure of the award but additional parental leave may be accessed as unpaid leave through the suspension provisions. Paid parental leave is not in addition to the normal duration of the award and should be arranged with your School. 14. Termination 14.1. The RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend will be terminated upon the expiry of the award or once the thesis is submitted for examination, whichever is sooner. 14.2. An RTP International fees offset and RTP stipend will be terminated before this time:
7 Research Training Program (RTP International Fees Offset and Stipens Scholarships Conditions of Award 2017 if, after due inquiry, the University concludes that the award holder has not made satisfactory progress; if, the University determines that, the award holder does not met the eligibility criteria, has not fulfilled the obligations of award holders or has committed serious misconduct, including but not limited to the provision of false or misleading information. if, in the opinion of the University, the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the offer of award, and no suitable alternative arrangements can be made for continuation of the higher degree by research; when the award holder ceases to be a full time student; if the award holder does not resume study following a period of suspension or make arrangements to extend that suspension; or on the death or incapacity of the award holder, or withdrawal from the program. 15. Research International 15.1. Award holders may be permitted to undertake fieldwork or research International when this is considered necessary by the supervisor and Head of School. In such cases the award may be tenable International for up to 12 months, or in special cases for up to 18 months. Approval of paid International study will only be granted if adequate supervision can be maintained and the award holder remains enrolled. 15.2. The award holder will not generally be allowed to undertake International study in the first six months of scholarship tenure. Candidature undertaken prior to the taking up of the scholarship will be taken into account in determining the earliest date on which the award holder may pursue paid International study. 15.3. Applications for International study should be submitted to the prior to commencement of the International work. 16. Research at Other Organisations 16.1. The University may permit an award holder to conduct part of the research at other organisations provided that there is adequate support and supervision available. 17. Other Courses 17.1. Apart from the Graduate Certificate in Research or Graduate Diploma in Marine and Antarctic Science, an award holder must not enrol in any academic course of study leading to a qualification which is not an essential part of the award holder's higher degree by research, unless approval has been granted by the Dean of Graduate Research. 18. Appeals 18.1. The appeal mechanisms for resolution of disputes which may arise during candidature are described in Rule 4: Rules of Graduate Research. http://www.utas.edu.au/academicgovernance/academic senate/academic senate rules.