USQ Postgraduate Research Scholarship

USQ Postgraduate Research Scholarships are awarded to new students of exceptional research potential undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (Doctor of Philosophy). Although consideration will be given to those students who have been enrolled in a PhD at an Australian University for less than 6 months. Recipients of these awards will receive a stipend and Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents will be allocated a place funded by the Research Training Scheme (RTS). Other international candidates will be liable for tuition fees.  Please note that this information is subject to change.

Scholarship value

USQ Postgraduate Research Scholarships carry a yearly stipend of $25,000 per annum (2009 rate) to the successful applicant. Payments are made on a fortnightly basis over the year. The period of tenure of an award is three years for doctorate and 2 years for Masters studies. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree will be deducted from the period of tenure.

Should a successful USQ PRS applicant enrol with the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying (FoES) then FoES will provide a further $5,000 top up to the successful applicant.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• be eligible to be enrolled full-time in a Higher Degree by Research at the University of Southern Queensland
• not previously have held an Australian Government-funding postgraduate research scholarship   unless it was terminated within six months of the commencement of benefits
• not be in receipt of similar funding from the Australian Government
• commence the degree by the date set by the University or the scholarship may be  withdrawn and reallocated to another applicant.

Conditions

• Applications must be received by the closing date and in writing on the USQ application form provided. In addition, two academic referee’s reports must be submitted
• the scholarship will be paid directly to the student on a fortnightly basis
• the student is permitted to undertake a up to eight (8) hours of paid work per week. Work must not interfere with the student's study program and must be within visa conditions
• scholarships are not transferable to other students in any circumstances
• the scholarship will be forfeited if the recipient cancels enrolment in the program or fails to enrol
• the scholarship will be forfeited if the recipient transfers to another institution.

Selection criteria

Applicants must:

• have applied for enrolment or be enrolled (for not more than 6 months) in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program full-time on-campus at USQ
• meet the eligibility requirements
• demonstrate outstanding research potential
• scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, research capacity and relevance of proposed research to USQ’s areas of research concentration
• projects involving human or animal experimentation, including social/psychological research, must conform to NH&MRC guidelines and ethical clearance will be required prior to commencement of any such project.

Submitting an application

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must complete Application Form (PDF 182kb)  for USQ Postgraduate Research Scholarships form two Academic Referee Reports (PDF 51kb) must also be submitted to:

Office of Research and Higher Degrees
University of Southern Queensland
Toowoomba Queensland 4350
AUSTRALIA

Electronic or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Closing Date

Completed application forms and referee report forms must reach the Office of Research and Higher Degrees, USQ. Applications are currently being accepted until 31 May 2009.

Further information

Further information about this scholarship can be obtained from the Office of Research and Higher Degrees at bradys@usq.edu.au