Eligibility

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of demonstrated academic merit, demonstrated prior research experience, and an assessment of research potential. Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria: refer to the individual scholarship's webpage on the UQ Graduate School website for details.

In general, you are not eligible for a scholarship if you:

• Have been enrolled in your research higher degree program for the equivalent of 12 months full-time (if applying for a scholarship to support an MPhil candidature) or 18 months full-time (if applying for a scholarship to support a PhD candidature).
• Have received an equivalent award, scholarship or salary for the purpose of enrolling in a research higher degree program.
• Have been awarded a PhD or other research doctorate degree.
• Have been awarded an MPhil or other research masters degree, unless you are applying for a scholarship to support a PhD candidature.

Commencement

You must enrol in your research higher degree program and take up the scholarship by the date specified in your offer letter.

Duration

Scholarship payments continue for the duration specified in the offer letter, subject to ongoing satisfactory progress. The maximum duration of a scholarship is the equivalent of

• 2 years full-time enrolment in the MPhil program, or
• 3 years full-time enrolment in the PhD program.

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 maximum duration of your scholarship only if they would extend your scholarship beyond the equivalent of

• 2 years full-time enrolment in the MPhil program, or
• 4 years full-time enrolment in the PhD program.

Any calculation that affects your scholarship's duration or your leave entitlements assumes that you conduct your research and studies from Monday to Friday every week, regardless of your actual pattern of work. For example, if you are absent for a week, you must use 5 days of leave.

Extension

PhD candidates may apply for a scholarship extension of up to the equivalent of 6 months full-time enrolment within the Research Training Scheme funding period. MPhil candidates may not apply for a scholarship extension.

You must apply on a Variation Request Form for an extension. To receive an extension, you must demonstrate that you have been making satisfactory progress and that submission of your thesis for examination has been delayed because of circumstances that were beyond your control that relate solely to your research: you cannot receive an extension on the grounds of ill health, employment commitments, or other non-academic circumstances. Your advisory team and school postgraduate coordinator must endorse your request in writing, and certify that your progress has otherwise been satisfactory, before the Dean, UQ Graduate School considers your request.

Stipend Rates

Unless otherwise specified, the scholarship stipend rate matches that set by the Federal government for the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA). Stipend rates are indexed annually, and increase on 1 January.

Stipend Payments

Stipends are paid into your nominated Australian bank account once every 2 weeks.