PROCEDURES RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE STIPEND SCHOLARSHIPS PROCEDURES PURPOSE The purpose of these procedures is to provide conditions for recipients with an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), University Postgraduate Research Award (UPRA), Strategic Research Scholarship (SRS), Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Award (IAPRA), Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) (APA(I)), Women s Equal Opportunity Postgraduate Research Award (WEOPRA), and University Medallist Postgraduate Research Award (UMPRA).The scholar must be eligible for admission to the University as a candidate for the appropriate award and will be subject to the rules pertaining to masters and doctoral candidates. The award does not commit the scholar to rendering any services to the University. PROCEDURES 1 Eligibility 1.1 General Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs), University Postgraduate Research Awards (UPRA), Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Awards (IAPRA), Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry) (APA(I)), and Women s Equal Opportunity Postgraduate Research Awards (WEOPRA) are awarded to undertake postgraduate research at CQUniversity. Applicants intending to undertake a research higher degree (RHD) are eligible to apply. Recipients, if undertaking a research masters, must not already hold a research higher degree or an equivalent degree. Recipients must not be receiving an equivalent award, scholarship, excluding an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) or salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the stipend rate to undertake the research higher degree. Income from sources unrelated to the program of study is not included in this calculation. Successful recipients must have completed a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours, or be regarded by CQUniversity as having an equivalent level of attainment. This may include previous study, relevant work experience, research publications, referees reports and other research experience. Recipients would normally be expected to contribute a minimum of hours per week full-time equivalent to their research and dissertation. The scholar must be eligible for admission to the University as a candidate for the appropriate award and will be subject to the rules pertaining to masters and doctoral candidates. The award does not commit the scholar to rendering any services to the University. The recipient must reside within Australia. 1.2 Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) Both domestic and international students are eligible to apply for this award. Research Higher Degree Stipend Scholarships Procedures Page 1 of 7
Recipients must not previously have held a Commonwealth Government-funded postgraduate research scholarship, unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship s payments commencing. 1.3 University Postgraduate Research Awards (UPRA) Both domestic and international students are eligible to apply for this award. 1.4 Strategic Research Scholarships (SRS) Priority will be given to recipients studying in an area identified by CQUniversity as one of its priority research areas as nominated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) following consultation with the Dean, School of Graduate Research and Research Higher Degrees Committee (RHDC). Successful recipients would normally have their project calibre considered as well as being ranked to meet the strategic research directions of identified priority areas. 1.5 Women s Equal Opportunity Postgraduate Research Award (WEOPRA) Recipients of the Women s Equal Opportunity Postgraduate Research Award (WEOPRA) must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia. Recipients must have experienced a break from study of five or more years. 1.6 Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Award (IAPRA) Recipients of a CQUniversity Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Award (IAPRA) must be Indigenous Australian citizens. 1.7 University Medallist Postgraduate Research Award (UMPRA) Recipients of the University Medallist Postgraduate Research Award (UMPRA) must have received the CQUniversity Medal within the most recent year. 2 Duration of Award 2.1 The period of tenure for a full-time scholarship is normally: two years full-time for a masters program; and three years full-time for a doctoral program. 2.2 The period of tenure for a part-time scholarship is normally: four years part-time for a masters degree; and six years part-time for a doctoral program. 2.3 A scholarship recipient who commences as a candidate for research masters candidate and who: before the maximum duration of two years, changes to doctoral candidature may hold the scholarship for a total of up to three years. 2.4 Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the scholarship or taken during the suspension of the award will reduce the duration of the scholarship payments. 2.5 The earliest date a scholarship can be taken up is 1 January for the year the scholarship is first awarded. Research Higher Degree Stipend Scholarships Procedures Page 2 of 7
2.6 Recipients must commence their scholarship and research program by 1 November in the year the scholarship is awarded. 2.7 The duration of an award will be increased by any periods of approved paid maternity leave or parental leave. 2.8 Tenure is always subject to satisfactory progress. 3 Extension of Award There is no provision for extension to the Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA); University Postgraduate Research Awards (UPRA); Women s Equal Opportunity Postgraduate Research Award (WEOPRA); Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Award (IAPRA); University Medallist Postgraduate Research Award (UMPRA); Strategic Research Scholarships (SRS); Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry) (APA(I)). 4 Part-Time Study In exceptional circumstances, for example, demanding care commitments or a medical condition, a recipient may apply to undertake part-time study. A candidate who has a part-time scholarship may revert to full-time study at any time with the permission of CQUniversity. 5 Expiry of Award 5.1 The scholarship will expire at the: date of submission of the dissertation; or on expiry of the period for which the scholarship is awarded, whichever is the sooner. 6 Termination of Award 6.1 The scholarship will terminate if the candidate: discontinues the research program for which the scholarship was awarded; or voluntarily relinquishes the award. 6.2 The scholarship will be terminated by the University if the candidate: fails to make satisfactory progress; or contravenes a condition of the award; or does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of suspension, or does not make arrangements to extend that period of suspension. 7 Stipend 7.1 The stipend commences on the day of taking up the scholarship. 7.2 The stipend is paid on a fortnightly basis through CQUniversity payroll to a nominated Australian bank account in the awardee s name. 7.3 The stipend ceases when the scholarship expires or is terminated by either party, or upon submission of the dissertation, whichever is the sooner. 7.4 The value of the award will be approved and periodically reviewed by Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) and the University. Research Higher Degree Stipend Scholarships Procedures Page 3 of 7
7.5 Recipients will need to contact the Australian Tax Office (ATO) to discuss if their scholarship will attract tax. The ATO can be contacted on 13 28 61 or http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals. 8 Overseas Study 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. Overseas research will not normally be approved earlier than six months into the program. The following requirements must be met: the period overseas must not exceed 12 months; adequate supervision of the candidate's research program overseas must have been arranged by the School/Institute 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. 9 Research at Other Organisations 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 Faculty. 10 Transfer 10.1 An Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) may be transferred from one institution to another. Candidates who transfer to another institution may continue to receive their Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) only if the new institution agrees to its continuation and has sufficient Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) grant amounts available. 10.2 A University Postgraduate Research Award (UPRA), Strategic Research Scholarships (SRS), Women s Equal Opportunity Postgraduate Research Award (WEOPRA) and Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Award (IAPRA) are not transferable to another institution. 11 Other Awards A scholarship holder may not hold more than one award or scholarship concurrently unless approved by CQUniversity. Application should be made through the School of Graduate Research if such an occasion occurs. 12 Other Courses 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. 13 Student Charges 13.1 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. This includes, but is not limited to, the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). 13.2 Scholarship recipients are exempt from liability for tuition fees under the Research Training Scheme (RTS). Research Higher Degree Stipend Scholarships Procedures Page 4 of 7
14 Recreation Leave 14.1 Recreation leave will be paid for a period of 20 days each year calculated on a pro-rata basis within the period of the award. 14.2 Recreation leave must be taken during the tenure of the award and payment will not be made in lieu of any recreation leave not taken. 14.3 The recipient cannot extend the award by taking leave entitlements after the end date of the scholarship and payment shall not be made in lieu of taking recreation leave. 14.4 The recipient must complete the necessary leave form and secure their Principal Supervisor and Graduate Research Coordinator s signature prior to taking the leave. 15 Sick Leave 15.1 Recipients are entitled to 10 days sick leave each year of the scholarship without loss of stipend, calculated on a pro-rata basis. Sick leave may be accrued over the tenure of the award. Sick leave for any longer period in the year is subject to approval by the Dean, School of Graduate Research in consultation with the supervisory team and nominated Graduate Research Coordinator. 15.2 A candidate who is absent due to illness for more than three consecutive days must provide a medical certificate specifying the nature of the illness and the period of absence. The medical certificate should be appended to a completed leave form and submitted to their Graduate Research Coordinator. 15.3 Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) recipients may also receive up to three months paid sick leave in certain circumstances and on the provision of medical documentation. 15.4 Candidates who have completed 12 months of their Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) are entitled to a maximum of 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. 15.5 Candidates who are partners of women giving birth during an Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) and who have completed 12 months of the tenure of the award, may at the discretion of the University, be entitled to a period of paid parenting leave at the time of the birth or adoption. 15.6 The duration of a scholarship will be increased by any periods of approved paid maternity leave and additional sick leave. 16 Leave Of Absence A candidate may apply in writing for a break in study and candidature for personal reasons. If such leave of absence is approved, the candidate's scholarship will be suspended for the period of the temporary discontinuation of studies. Leave of absence may be approved for a maximum period of 12 months. 17 Other Employment 17.1 Subject to approval by the Dean, School of Graduate Research and with the support of the supervisory team and Graduate Research Coordinator, a candidate may be permitted to undertake a limited amount of employment, provided that such employment does not interfere with the recipient s study program. Employment may not exceed 12 hours in any one week if the award holder is to retain status as a full-time candidate. Research Higher Degree Stipend Scholarships Procedures Page 5 of 7
17.2 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. 17.3 The University cannot require the candidate to undertake employment. 18 Relocation Allowance 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. 19 Eligible Relocation Claims 19.1 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. 19.2 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. 19.3 A claim for relocation allowance is not an eligible claim unless the student has produced complete receipts for the claim. 20 Repayment of Relocation Allowance A recipient who voluntarily relinquishes an award within three 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. 21 Dissertation Allowance Eligible Claims The dissertation allowance must be claimed within one year of submission or re-submission of the dissertation and not more than two years after termination of the scholarship. 22 Dissertation Allowance Maximum Value The amount paid will be up to the maximum rate applicable at the time of submission of the dissertation. 23 Obligations of Recipient 23.1 The recipient is required to notify the Office of Research within seven 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 CQUniversity research program and is not approved for part-time study; the candidate is absent for any reason for a period of 14 days or longer from the candidate's place of study, except on approved leave. 23.2 The candidate shall abide by relevant legislation on human and animal experimentation and rulings of the safety and ethics committees of the University. Research Higher Degree Stipend Scholarships Procedures Page 6 of 7
23.3 An award recipient is required to conform to the regulations (including disciplinary provisions) of the University. 23.4 If a scholarship is terminated, it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error. 23.5 A recipient is required to repay scholarship overpayments within 30 days of being requested to do so by the university. 23.6 The recipient is required to confirm with the university, through the School of Graduate Research that are able to move from one town or city to another. 23.7 A recipient shall diligently and to the best of his/her ability apply himself/herself to the successful completion of the degree. 24 Obligations of the University 24.1 The Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision approved by Academic Board outlines the responsibilities of the University, faculties, supervisors and candidates. 24.2 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 Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) not more than 28 days after the date shown on the formal advice of the outcome of the selection procedure. 24.3 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 Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) not more than 28 days after the date of the formal notification of the decision. 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 Procedures. DEFINITIONS All terminology used in this document is consistent with definitions in the CQUniversity Glossary. RESPONSIBILITIES The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) is responsible for ensuring compliance with these procedures. RECORDS All records relevant to these procedures are to be maintained in a recognised University recordkeeping system. Approval Authority Academic Board Administrator Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Original Approval Date 3 October 2012 Amendment History Date of Next Review 3 October 2014 Related Documents Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision Academic Appeals Procedures Research Higher Degree Stipend Scholarships Procedures Page 7 of 7