1. Background
a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to post-graduate research students who are undertaking research in AgriFutures Chicken-meat Consortium.
b. This Scholarship is funded by a collaborative agreement between The University of Sydney, CQ University Australia, Massey University, The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for the project ‘Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia.’ The goal is to improve sustainability and productivity of Australian Chicken-meat production.
2. Eligibility
a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant being currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD within School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.
b. The applicant must be a domestic student.
c. Applicant must be willing to undertake research in poultry nutrition.
3. Selection Criteria
a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
I. academic merit,
II. curriculum vitae,
III. area of study/research proposal, and
IV. a personal statement which demonstrates interests and willingness to work with the Australian poultry industry.
b. Prefernce will be given to applicants with background in animal science.
c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s) within School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science.
4. Value
a. This scholarship may be awarded as either a primary or supplementary scholarship. The type and value of the scholarship will be indicated in the letter of offer.
b. The primary scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to minimum Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (fixed amount) for up to 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
c. The supplementary scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to $15,000 per annum for up to 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
d. If the recipient of the primary scholarship is awarded an alternative primary scholarship of equal or higher value, this scholarship may be awarded as a supplementary scholarship on approval from the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s) within School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science. If the recipient of the primary scholarship is not approved to hold this scholarship as a supplementary, then Termination clause 10.a.v. applies.
e. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship, will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship excluding the potential extension period.
f. The Scholarship cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval.
g. No other amount is payable.
h. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.
5. Eligibility for Progression
a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation.
6. Leave Arrangements
a. The primary Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the supervisor’s agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.
b. The primary Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carers leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.
c. Successful recipients of the supplementary Scholarship will have the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship except parental leave (if applicable).
7. Research Overseas
a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.
b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student’s supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree.
c. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student’s candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.
d. Successful recipients of the supplementary Scholarship will have the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship.
8. Suspension
a. The primary Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.
b. The primary Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension for any reason during the tenure of their Scholarship. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be given by both HDRAC and the head of the department concerned. Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.
c. Successful recipients of the supplementary Scholarship will have the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship.
9. Changes in Enrolment
a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.
10. Termination
a. The Scholarship will be terminated:
I. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship and has not been approved to hold this scholarship as supplementary scholarship as per clause Value 4d, in such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of higher value,
VI. where alternative supplementary stipend scholarship is awarded that results in the recipient obtaining an overall supplementary stipend amount of more than 75% of the value the primary stipend Scholarship. In such circumstances, if this Scholarship offer is the lesser supplementary amount, the supplementary component of this Scholarship will be terminated, or
VII. if the student ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).
b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:
I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.
c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.
d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.
11. Misconduct
a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds paid to the student, the University may require the student to repay stipend amounts and any other payments made to the student in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Code of Conduct for Students and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.
b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.
12. Intellectual Property
a. The successful recipient of this Scholarship must complete the Student Deed Poll supplied by the University of Sydney.
13. Communications
a. The successful recipient must not publish or disseminate reports or other information relating to project or its results, without the prior written consent of AgriFutures Australia.
b. The successful recipient must acknowledge the contribution to and support of the project by AgriFutures Australia in a manner acceptable to AgriFutures Australia and contains a disclaimer of liability acceptable to AgriFutures Australia.
14. Thesis
a. The successful recipient may be requested to provide thesis for examination by examiners bound by obligations of confidentiality and publication of any thesis may be deferred for 6 months to enable the protection of any Project Intellectual Property.
15. Privacy and Confidentiality
a. The successful recipient is required to keep all confidential information disclosed by all parties or the University of Sydney confidential and ensure it is not disclosed to another party without the prior consent.