PROCEDURE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH AWARDS (UPRA) 2015 CONDITIONS OF AWARD Procedure Responsibilities Definitions Related Legislation and Documents 1 PURPOSE Each year CQUniversity makes available a number of awards for postgraduate students participating in research training programs. These awards are known as University Postgraduate Research Awards (UPRA). Students enrolled or enrolling in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD) or Masters by Research programs at CQUniversity may be eligible to apply for these awards. 2 SCOPE Applications for a UPRA may be lodged during advertised application periods, by completing the relevant CQUniversity Scholarship Application and Application for Admission. UPRAs will be awarded by the University through a competitive selection process. Individual applications will be ranked on the basis of merit and areas of University strategic interest. CQUniversity may award UPRAs to applicants from designated equity groups. 3 EFFECTIVE DATE This Procedure is effective for all UPRA Scholarships awarded to commence on or after 01 January 2015. 4 PARENT POLICY There is no parent policy. 5 PROCEDURE Eligibility 5.1 To be eligible for a UPRA, an applicant must: a) Have completed a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours, or be regarded by CQUniversity as having an equivalent level of attainment b) Be an Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia or an international student c) Be undertaking, or approved for admission and enrolling in, a research higher degree program at CQUniversity d) If undertaking: i) A Research Masters, not hold a research Doctorate or a Research Masters or an equivalent research qualification and ii) a Research Doctorate, not hold a Research Doctorate or an equivalent research qualification and e) must not previously have held a Commonwealth Government-funded or CQUniversity-funded postgraduate research scholarship, unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship s payments commencing and f) must not be receiving an equivalent award, scholarship (excluding an IPRS) or salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the UPRA stipend rate to undertake a research higher degree. Reference Number/Code: 667 Page 1 of 6
Tenure of award 5.2 The period of tenure for an UPRA is: in the case of a candidate enrolled for a research masters degree two (2) years and in the case of a candidate enrolled for a research doctorate three (3) years. 5.3 A scholarship recipient who commences as a candidate for research masters candidate and who before the maximum duration of two (2) years, changes to doctoral candidature may hold the scholarship for a total of up to three (3) years. 5.4 The duration of the UPRA will be reduced by: any periods of study undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the UPRA or towards the degree during suspension of the UPRA (unless the study was undertaken overseas as part of a Commonwealth Government financially supported international postgraduate research scholarship or award. Extension of award 5.5 The scholarship is renewed on an annual basis subject to the candidate maintaining satisfactory progress, as evidenced in candidature Progress Reports. 5.6 The University may approve an extension to the duration of an UPRA for a research doctorate candidate of up to six months provided that: The student is making satisfactory progress; and The grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the control of the candidate. Such requests for an extension must be supported by the Principal Supervisor, and endorsed by the Deputy Dean Research. 5.7 There is no provision for an extension to the duration of an UPRA for a Research Masters student. Part-Time study 5.8 The University may approve a part-time UPRA if the candidate has an acceptable reason related to caring commitments, a medical condition, a disability or other circumstance which limits the student s capacity to undertake full-time study for part or all of the course of study. 5.9 A candidate who has a part-time UPRA may revert to full-time study at any time with the permission of the University. Termination of award 5.10 The University will terminate the UPRA: at the end of the period of tenure of the award on submission of the thesis if the candidate has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress if the candidate ceases to be a full-time student and approval has not been obtained from the University to hold the UPRA on a part-time basis if the award holder does not resume study at the end of a period of suspension or approved leave of absence if the candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria as specified in Section 5.1 of these Conditions of Award if the University determines that the Candidate has committed serious misconduct, including, but not limited to the provision of false or misleading information in relation to the UPRA. 5.11 If an UPRA is terminated, it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error. Reference Number/Code: 667 Page 2 of 6
Stipend 5.12 The stipend will be paid fortnightly into an account in a bank, building society or credit union, through the University s payroll system. The stipend commencement date will be the date of commencement of study, or in the case of a candidate who is already enrolled, on the date of acceptance of the UPRA offer. 5.13 The stipend payable is $25,392 per annum (2014 rate) for full-time candidates. The stipend is indexed annually by the University. It is the responsibility of the Candidate to assess the tax liability of their scholarship. The stipend rate for part-time UPRAs is $12,696 per annum (2014 rate). Overseas study 5.14 Where a candidate is required to pursue studies overseas for a limited period in order to advance the research program, permission may be obtained to continue to hold the scholarship while overseas. 5.15 Overseas research will not normally be approved earlier than six (6) months into the program. The following requirements must be met: the period overseas must not exceed twelve (12) months adequate supervision of the candidate's research program overseas must have been arranged by the School and approved before departure the candidate must return to Australia to complete the research program immediately following the completion of study overseas the candidate must continue to be enrolled as a full-time candidate at the University during the period of overseas study. Research at other organisations 5.16 Approval may be given to conduct research at organisations outside the higher education system. Adequate supervision of the candidate's research program must be arranged by the School. Transfer 5.17 A UPRA is not transferable to another university. Other courses 5.18 As postgraduate research awards are provided for full-time study, the holder of such an award may not engage in any academic course of study leading to a qualification which is not an essential part of the award recipient's current program. Student charges 5.19 The candidate is required to pay all charges so levied by the University or the Commonwealth on the basis of being a full-time candidate. 5.20 UPRA recipients eligible to be allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place will be exempt from liability for tuition fees for the duration of their RTS eligibility. 5.21 The UPRA is a living allowance stipend and does not cover any program tuition fees. Recreation leave 5.22 Candidates are entitled to receive up to 20 working days paid recreation leave for each year of the UPRA. This leave entitlement may be accrued over the life of the UPRA but will be forfeited when the UPRA is terminated. Sick leave 5.23 Candidates are entitled to receive up to ten working days paid sick leave for each year of the UPRA. This Reference Number/Code: 667 Page 3 of 6
leave entitlement may be accrued over the life of the UPRA but will be forfeited when the UPRA is terminated. 5.24 Candidates are entitled to receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks during the duration of the UPRA for periods of illness where the candidate has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under paragraph 15.1, provided that a medical certificate has been provided by the candidate to the University. 5.25 Sick leave entitlements (including additional sick leave) may also be used to cover leave for candidates with family caring responsibilities. 5.26 Candidates who have completed twelve (12) months of their UPRA are entitled to a maximum of twelve (12) weeks paid maternity leave for a childbirth or adoption occurring within the tenure of the award. Unpaid maternity leave may be accessed through the suspension provisions of the University. 5.27 Candidates who are partners of women giving birth during an UPRA and who have completed twelve (12) months of the tenure of the award, are entitled to a maximum of five working days paid parental leave at the time of the birth or adoption. 5.28 The duration of a scholarship will be increased by any periods of approved paid maternity leave or approved paid sick leave. Leave of absence 5.29 Approval may be given for up to twelve months suspension of the UPRA where an approved Leave of Absence has been granted to the Candidate. Such periods of approved suspension will be added to the UPRA duration. Other employment 5.30 Subject to approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies, a candidate may be permitted to undertake a limited amount of paid employment, provided that such employment does not interfere with the recipient s study program. Employment may not exceed twelve (12) hours in any one (1) week if the award holder is to retain status as a full-time candidate. 5.31 Where such employment is as a tutor, (and each contact hour involves additional hours of marking, preparation, interviewing and administration), the candidate must include additional duties in calculation of total weekly work hours. 5.32 The University cannot require the candidate to undertake employment. Relocation allowance 5.33 Recipients may be eligible for a relocation allowance in addition to the annual stipend, up to an approved maximum amount. Candidates are entitled to receive full reimbursement for eligible claims, up to the approved maximum amount. This includes reimbursement for any Goods and Services Tax amounts specified in the receipts provided. 5.34 Relocation allowances are not payable for travel undertaken after completion of studies, or termination of the UPRA. Eligible relocation claims 5.35 An eligible claim for relocation allowance is a claim made by the scholarship recipient for the cost of relocating themselves, their spouse and dependants to a new place of residence to enable the student to undertake their research higher degree. A claim for relocation allowance is not an eligible claim unless maintaining the former place of residence would have been a significant impediment to undertaking the research higher degree. 5.36 A claim for relocation allowance is not an eligible claim unless it is a claim for the cost of air travel, travel by car or removal expenses to the new place of residence. Reference Number/Code: 667 Page 4 of 6
5.37 A claim for relocation allowance is not an eligible claim unless the student has produced complete receipts for the claim. Repayment of relocation allowance 5.38 A recipient who voluntarily relinquishes an award within three (3) months of commencement may be required to refund all or part of any contribution by the University to the travel and/or relocation expenses incurred by the candidate in taking up the award. Thesis allowance eligible claims 5.39 The thesis allowance must be claimed within one (1) year of submission or re-submission of the thesis and not more than two (2) years after termination of the scholarship. Thesis allowance maximum value 5.40 The amount paid will be up to the maximum rate applicable at the time of submission of the thesis. Obligations of Recipient 5.41 The recipient is required to notify the Office of Research Services within seven (7) days in writing if: the candidate leaves Australia for reasons other than for approved overseas study, approved suspension or approved recreation leave the candidate discontinues full-time study in their CQUni research program and is not approved for parttime study the candidate is absent for any reason for a period of fourteen (14) days or longer from the candidate's place of study, except on approved leave. 5.42 The candidate shall abide by relevant legislation on human and animal experimentation and rulings of the Safety and Ethics committees of the University. 5.43 An award recipient is required to conform to the regulations (including disciplinary provisions) of the University. Obligations of the University 5.44 The Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision Procedures" endorsed by the Academic Board outlines the responsibilities of the University, Schools, supervisors and candidates. 5.45 Unsuccessful applicants who believe they have reasonable grounds for dissatisfaction with any aspect of the selection procedure may request a re-evaluation of the original application. Such a request should be made in writing and submitted to the Dean, Graduate Studies through the Office of Research Services not more than twenty-eight (28) days after the date shown on the formal advice of the outcome of the selection procedure. 5.46 A candidate who has reasonable grounds for dissatisfaction with any formal decision made with respect to the conditions of award, may appeal, in writing, to the Dean, Graduate Studies through the Office of Research Services not more than twenty-eight (28) days after the date of the formal notification of the decision. 5.47 CQUniversity recognises the importance of providing prompt and fair complaint resolution procedures for candidates, without victimisation for initiating or participating in the settlement. The candidate s enrolment will be maintained while the complaint and appeals process is ongoing. For further information, please refer to the CQUniversity Academic Appeals Procedure Reference Number/Code: 667 Page 5 of 6
6 RESPONSIBILITIES Compliance, Monitoring and Review 6.1 The Dean of Graduate Studies is responsible for ensuring compliance with these procedures. Records Management 6.2 All records relevant to this document are to be maintained in a recognised University recordkeeping system. 7 DEFINITIONS 7.1 Refer to the University glossary for the definition of terms used in this policy and procedure. 8 RELATED LEGISLATION AND DOCUMENTS Related Policy Document Suite Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision Procedures Academic Appeals Policy and Procedure Approval and Review Details Approval Authority Academic Board Advisory Committee to Approval Authority Research Higher Degrees Committee Administrator Dean of Graduate Studies Next Review Date 17/06/2017 Approval and Amendment History Details Original Approval Authority and Date 20 September 2006 Amendment Authority and Date Academic Board 26 July 2007; Director, Office of Research 7 June 2010; Research Higher Degrees Committee 17 June 2014. Reference Number/Code: 667 Page 6 of 6