Purpose: To provide a living allowance for high-quality research higher degree candidates working on a specific research project with industry linkages.

Value: $26,669 per annum (2009 rate). The APAI is indexed annually.

Closing Date: Varies. An APAI may be advertised individually on JASON.

Source of Funding: Australian Federal government through the Australian Research Council.

Basis of Award: Academic merit; research experience and/or potential; match with specific research project.

Eligibility: To hold this scholarship, you must

• have an academic qualification equivalent to a Bachelor's degree with Honours Class I or IIA.
• not already have an academic qualification equivalent to or at a higher level than the research higher degree program you are undertaking.
• not have previously held a research higher degree scholarship funded by the Australian Federal government (other than the IPRS) for six months or more.
• enter into an APAI Student IP and Confidentiality Agreement with The University of Queensland.
• undertake a research project within the aims of the Linkage Project that funds the scholarship.

Scholarship Rules: This scholarship confirms to the UQ Research Scholarship General Conditions except as follows.

• Scholarship Structure: Periods of enrolment in your research higher degree program before commencing your scholarship and while on leave without stipend from your scholarship are deducted from the duration of the scholarship.
• Establishment Grant: APAI holders are not eligible to receive the Establishment Grant. They are, however, entitled to claim the APAI Relocation and Thesis Allowances (as detailed in the appropriate Linkage Project Funding Rules) by completing a method of personal payment form and attaching any required documentary evidence.
• Scholarship Leave: APAI holders are entitled to the  2 weeks (10 days) of paid sick leave each year of the scholarship, but are not entitled to the additional 12 weeks (60 days) of paid sick leave within the duration of the scholarship.
• Scholarship Leave: APAI holders may take leave without pay for a maximum of 12 months to allow the holder to gain work experience in industry. In exceptional circumstances, a suspension may be approved on compassionate grounds. APAI holders must obtain the consent of the industry partner for all periods of leave and provide a copy of the industry partner approval with their leave request. If the proposed suspension is to commence within the first six months of the Project or is to be more than 12 months in duration, The University must seek Ministerial approval. Failure to obtain Ministerial approval will result in the immediate termination of the APAI.
• Transfer and Termination of Scholarships: APAI scholarships may be transferred between institutions when there are exceptional circumstances and all parties support the transer. The transfer must be approved in advance by the Australian Research Council.