PROCEDURE CQUNIVERSITY FULL SPECTRUM PHD SCHOLARSHIP 2015 CONDITIONS OF AWARD 1 PURPOSE Procedure Responsibilities Definitions Related Legislation and Documents CQUniversity is offering a comprehensive PhD Scholarship package that seeks to provide recipients with accelerated access into an academic career. The Full Spectrum Scholarship will provide the recipient with a stipend scholarship for three years. They will complete the Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in their first year of candidature, and will be offered guaranteed opportunities for part-time academic employment within their host School. 2 SCOPE Applications may be lodged during the advertised application period, by completing the relevant CQUniversity Scholarship Application and Application for Admission. The Full Spectrum Scholarship is only available to Applicants who are intending to commence their PhD program in 2015. Full Spectrum Scholarships will be awarded by the University through a competitive selection process. Applications are invited in specific areas of strategic intent, as advertised on the Scholarships web page. 3 EFFECTIVE DATE This Procedure is effective for all Full Spectrum 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 an Full Spectrum Scholarship, 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 Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia. c) Be approved for admission and enrolling in, a research higher degree program at CQUniversity. d) Not hold a Research Doctorate or an equivalent research qualification; and e) 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; and f) must not be receiving an equivalent award, scholarship or salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the Full Spectrum stipend rate to undertake a research higher degree. Reference Number/Code: # Page 1 of 6
Tenure of award 5.2 The period of tenure for a Full Spectrum Scholarship is three (3) years. Extension of Award 5.3 The scholarship is renewed on an annual basis subject to the candidate maintaining satisfactory progress, as evidenced in candidature Progress Reports. 5.4 The University may approve an extension to the duration of a Full Spectrum Scholarship of up to six months provided that a) The student is making satisfactory progress; and b) 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. Part-Time study 5.5 The University may approve a part-time Full Spectrum Scholrship 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. 5.6 A candidate who has a part-time Full Spectrum Scholarship may revert to full-time study at any time with the permission of the University. Termination of award 5.7 The University will terminate the Full Spectrum Scholarship a) at the end of the period of tenure of the award; b) on submission of the thesis; c) if the candidate has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress; d) if the candidate ceases to be a full-time student and approval has not been obtained from the University to hold the Full Spectrum Scholarship on a part-time basis; e) if the award holder does not resume study at the end of a period of suspension or approved leave of absence; f) if the candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria as specified in Section 1 of these Conditions of Award; g) 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 Full Spectrum Scholarship. 5.8 If a Full Spectrum Scholarship is terminated, it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error. Stipend 5.9 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. 5.10 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. Reference Number/Code: # Page 2 of 6
Overseas Study 5.11 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. 5.12 Overseas research will not normally be approved earlier than six (6) months into the program. The following requirements must be met: a) the period overseas must not exceed twelve (12) months; b) adequate supervision of the candidate's research program overseas must have been arranged by the School and approved before departure; c) the candidate must return to Australia to complete the research program immediately following the completion of study overseas; d) 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 5.13 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 5.14 A Full Spectrum Scholarship is not transferable to another University. Other courses 5.15 Recipients of a Full Spectrum Scholarship will be expected to complete a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching during the first year of their Candidature. Student charges 5.16 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. 5.17 Full Spectrum Scholarship 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. 5.18 The Full Spectrum Scholarship is a living allowance stipend and does not cover any program tuition fees. Recreation leave 5.19 Candidates are entitled to receive up to 20 working days paid recreation leave for each year of the Full Spectrum Scholarship. This leave entitlement may be accrued over the life of the Full Spectrum Scholarship but will be forfeited when the Full Spectrum Scholarship is terminated. Sick leave 5.20 Candidates are entitled to receive up to ten working days paid sick leave for each year of the Full Spectrum Scholarship. This leave entitlement may be accrued over the life of the Full Spectrum Scholarship but will be forfeited when the Full Spectrum Scholarship is terminated. 5.21 Candidates are entitled to receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of twelve weeks during the duration of the Full Spectrum Scholarship 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. 5.22 Sick leave entitlements (including additional sick leave) may also be used to cover leave for candidates with family caring responsibilities. Reference Number/Code: # Page 3 of 6
5.23 Candidates who have completed twelve (12) months of their Full Spectrum Scholarship 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. 5.24 Candidates who are partners of women giving birth during an Full Spectrum Scholarship 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. 5.25 The duration of a scholarship will be increased by any periods of approved paid maternity leave or approved paid sick leave. Leave of absence 5.26 Approval may be given for up to twelve months suspension of the Full Spectrum Scholarship where an approved Leave of Absence has been granted to the Candidate. Such periods of approved suspension will be added to the Full Spectrum Scholarship duration. Other employment 5.27 Recipients will be provided with academic employment opportunities by their host School, for the duration of their Scholarship. Employment will not exceed twelve (12) hours in any one (1) week for full-time candidates. 5.28 The University cannot require the candidate to undertake employment. Relocation allowance 5.29 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. 5.30 Relocation allowances are not payable for travel undertaken after completion of studies, or termination of the Full Spectrum Scholarship. Eligible relocation claims 5.31 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. 5.32 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. 5.33 A claim for relocation allowance is not an eligible claim unless the student has produced complete receipts for the claim. Repayment of Relocation Allowance 5.34 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 5.35 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. Reference Number/Code: # Page 4 of 6
Thesis allowance maximum value 5.36 The amount paid will be up to the maximum rate applicable at the time of submission of the thesis. Obligations of Recipient 5.37 The recipient is required to notify the Office of Research Services within seven (7) days in writing if: a) the candidate leaves Australia for reasons other than for approved overseas study, approved suspension or approved recreation leave; b) the candidate discontinues full-time study in their CQUniversity research program and is not approved for part-time study; c) 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. 5.38 The candidate shall abide by relevant legislation on human and animal experimentation and rulings of the Safety and Ethics committees of the University. 5.39 An award recipient is required to conform to the regulations (including disciplinary provisions) of the University. Obligations of the University 5.40 The Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision Procedures endorsed by the Academic Board outlines the responsibilities of the University, Schools, supervisors and candidates. 5.41 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 of 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. 5.42 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 of 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. 5.43 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 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 Refer to the University glossary for the definition of terms used in this policy and procedure. Reference Number/Code: # Page 5 of 6
8 RELATED LEGISLATION AND DOCUMENTS Related Policy Document Suite Postgraduate Research Studies and Supervision Procedures Academic Appeals Policy and Procedures Approval and Review Approval Authority Advisory Committee to Approval Authority Administrator Next Review Date Approval and Amendment History Details Academic Board Research Higher Degrees Committee Dean of Graduate Studies DD/MM/YYYY 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; Academic Board 23 July 2014 Reference Number/Code: # Page 6 of 6