Research funding
Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS)
The PRSS is to provide direct support for currently enrolled postgraduate research students. The Conservatorium will award funds to eligible applicants on a competitive basis according to the University's general guidelines.
At least one application round will be held by the Conservatorium in 2009. The application round(s) will be advertised on our website, emailed to currently enrolled research students and posted on various Conservatorium noticeboards including:
- Graduate Students noticeboard (level 2)
- Postgraduate Room (level 1)
- Student Administration noticeboard (level 3)
Who do I contact for more information?
Cedric Poon
Manager, Student Administration
Email:
Phone: +61 2 9351 1239
Student Administration Office
An information sheet is available from the University's Research Office website and has been summarised below.
What are the eligibility criteria for support?
1. Currently enrolled PhD students, full-time or part-time, are eligible to apply for funds under the PRSS provided their candidature does not exceed eight full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent) at the closing date for applications.
Currently enrolled Masters by research students, full-time or part-time, are eligible to apply for funds under the PRSS provided their candidature does not exceed four full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent) at the closing date for applications.
2. Applications will not be considered if the students have not demonstrated satisfactory progress and/or have exceeded the normal period of candidature (see 1 above).
3. A brief statement justifying the need and proposed use of funds, together with the benefits to the applicant’s candidature.
4. Support by the applicant’s supervisor/s.
5. Any achievement related to the applicant’s research such as:
publications (in press or submitted), conference presentations, internal reports or other scholarly activities. A track record of achievement relative to opportunity and stage of candidature provides some indication of satisfactory progress during the candidature, however it is not a pre-requisite for a successful PRSS application.
What sort of things can I apply to get support for?
1. Conference expenses – for the purpose of presenting a paper or poster of which the student is the author and in connection with his/her research. Students who attend a conference without presenting, or presenting a paper or poster of which the student is not the author, are not eligible to apply under this category.
2. Expenses in connection with the use of specialist services, or a visit to use specialist facilities or to learn specialist technique/s directly related to the students’ research, but were beyond those normally provided by the School or Department.
3. Field expenses – provided the PRSS funds are not used to defray the infrastructure costs normally provided by the School or Department.
4. Purchase of specialist books, periodicals, software that are essential to the students’ research, but are not normally available or difficult to obtain in the University.
5. Purchase of computers or other equipment that are essential to the students’ research and are above and beyond the normal infrastructure provided by the School or Department.
6. Thesis production expenses to a maximum amount of $600 for a PhD thesis or $300 for a Masters thesis. Only students who do not hold a scholarship which provides such expenses and who will submit their theses in the current semester or calendar year can apply under this category.
The expenditure/proposed expenditure must have been incurred or will be incurred during this calendar year. A student cannot lodge a second application for the remainder of expenditure incurred under a previous successful PRSS application.
What will not be supported?
Direct research costs will not be supported. Thus, expenditure related to the purchase of consumables (such as chemicals, stationery, questionnaires and disks) normally provided by the Conservatorium, or photocopying will not be supported under the PRSS.
What level of support is available?
Eligible students may apply for a minimum amount of $200 and a maximum amount of $1,200 (but can be up to $3,000 to support presentations at conferences held in countries in Europe, Africa, North and South America, or up to $2,000 to support presentations at conferences held in other overseas countries) in each application round.
How often can a student apply for support?
Each eligible student can lodge only one application in any PRSS round.
PhD students: although eligible PhD students may apply during any PRSS application round, only three successful applications during their candidature (eight full-time semesters, or part-time equivalent) are permitted. That is, a PhD student can only be awarded funds three times within eight full-time semesters under the PRSS.
Masters by research students: although a Masters by research student may apply during any PRSS application round, only one successful application during the candidature (four full-time semesters, or part-time equivalent) is permitted. That is, a Masters student can only be awarded funds once under the PRSS. If a Masters by research student converts to a PhD, the total number of successful PRSS applications permitted will be three (including any successful application as a Masters student).
Scholarships for local students
Up to 20 Vice-Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS) are offered each year to attract students with an outstanding track record of academic achievement and research potential to pursue full-time PhD study at the University of Sydney.
Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional research potential to undertake a higher degree by research at an Australian university. The scholarships are provided to assist with general living costs.
In 2009, the University expects to award 55 University of Sydney Postgraduate Awards (UPA) which are similar to APA in terms of tenure and benefits. In addition, up to 50 UPA’s co-funded with faculties and schools/departments may be awarded to commencing students.
Henderson Postgraduate Research Scholarship
A number of scholarships valued at the APA/UPA rate are available to candidates applying to undertake or currently undertaking a Master by research or PhD degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Conditions of the Award are in line with the APA/UPA conditions of award.
Application for the Henderson Postgraduate Research scholarship is automatic upon application for a APA/UPA through the University of Sydney Research Office.
Further information regarding Henderson and other Conservatorium scholarships is available from the Faculty website or from:
Cathy Jones, Faculty Administration Officer
Email:
Phone: +61 2 9351 1377
The University of Sydney Travelling Scholarship is open to graduates or graduands of the University of Sydney who are of not more than four years standing from qualifying for the first degree appropriate to the proposed course of study overseas.
Scholarships shall normally be awarded to enable scholars to undertake studies or research overseas. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Scholarship conditions vary but usually include an annual stipend of $20,000 and supplementation up to $2,000 to cover the cost of airfares.
Further information regarding scholarships open to local students is available through the University's Research Office website.
Scholarships for international students
Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS)
The Australian government’s EIPRS program provides tuition fees and is available to top quality international postgraduate students who wish to enrol in a research degree in Australian universities. The studies undertaken must be in subject areas identified as part of the University current and emerging research strengths.
Applications are assessed on academic merit and research potential. In addition to the EIPRS, the University of Sydney awards International Postgraduate Award (IPA) to EIPRS holders. The IPA is a living allowance/stipend scholarship awarded to all EIPRS holders.
Information about other scholarships open to international students is available from the International Office.