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Assoc Prof Peter Betts (Associate Dean – Research Training) August 27th 2014

Applying for postgraduate research scholarships for 2014

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What types of scholarships are available?

1. Monash University (‘central’) scholarships• Monash Institute of Graduate Research

Applications are now open – Online Deadline for applications is 31st October 2014, 5 pm

2. Monash Faculty of Science Scholarships• Offered by the Faculty of Science

Scholarships offered throughout the year Must have H1 or H1E Other conditions also apply, but EVERYONE IS ELIGIBLE if

conditions are met.

Applying for Central Scholarships automatically puts you into the Faculty Scholarship applicants list.

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What types of scholarships are available?

3. Scholarships offered by Schools

• See individual School websites

• Generally offered throughout the year

4. Research Centre scholarships

• Scholarships offered throughout the year

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Why should I apply?

• Get paid to do research in an area you like

• Your first job which gives you additional qualifications – a PhD or Masters!

• A PhD is an internationally recognised qualification…a “meal” ticket to the rest of the world

• Opportunities to travel overseas during your higher degree – Conferences and stints in overseas labs or field-work

• Open up other opportunities with the research skills gained – not exclusively for academic or research careers

• Generally ensures higher salaries later in your career

See Student profiles at: http://monash.edu/science/future/careers/

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1. Monash University Central Scholarships…

• Two main types of scholarships

Stipend scholarships (APA/MGS)

− Pay a living allowance

− May be topped up in some Schools and Research Centres

Tuition fee scholarships (IPRS/MIPRS)

− Cover tuition fees for international students

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Monash University stipend scholarships…

• Main types

Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)

Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS)

Co-funded MGS

• Benefits Annual non-taxable allowance of $25,392 (2014 rate)

− Up to 2 years for a research masters− Up to 3 years for a PhD

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Monash University tuition fee scholarships…

• Main types

Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) Monash International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (MIPRS)

• Benefits Cover course tuition fees for international students ($34,600 per annum in

2014!) VISA length Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

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Applying for Monash University scholarships

• Eligibility requirements for central scholarships Must be ‘H1’ or ‘H1 Equivalent’

− Evidence of research potential

Must meet Monash University minimum English language proficiency requirements

• The Application Process You need to complete an expression of interest to receive an invitation

to apply online – should be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to application close date of October 31st 5pm

http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/apply/index.htmlOR follow the links from the Faculty of Science website:http://monash.edu/science/future/apply/

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Applying for Monash University scholarships

• Follow the instructions carefully for each school…

• Provide all required supporting documentation

• Communication with the proposed host School and potential supervisor(s)

should have been made

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions

• You may be issued with an ‘invitation to apply’ via email which entitles you

to proceed to formally apply online

• You can only apply through one Faculty

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2. Monash Faculty of Science Scholarships…

• Dean’s Postgraduate Research Scholarships

For everyone Awarded by the Faculty to those who miss out on central scholarships at

the discretion of schools

Eligibility Criteria − H1 or H1E− English proficiency requirements are met− You have been nominated by a host School which ensures supervision

and resources are available

Benefits and conditions are the same as APA or MGS award Can be nominated by a School at any time throughout the year provided

H1 or H1E conditions are met as well as other criteria

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2. Monash Faculty of Science Scholarships…

• Dean’s International Postgraduate Research Scholarships

For International Students (including Permanent Residents of New Zealand)

Awarded by the Faculty to those who require fees assistance

Eligibility Criteria

− H1 or H1E− English proficiency requirements are met− A guaranteed stipend is available from another source− You have been nominated by a host School which ensures supervision and

resources are available

Benefits and conditions are the same as APA or MGS award Can be nominated by a School at any time throughout the year provided H1 or H1E

conditions are met as well as other criteria

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2. Monash Faculty of Science Scholarships…

For details see:http://monash.edu/science/future/postgraduate-research/scholarships/

Dean's Postgraduate Research Scholarships

http://monash.edu/science/future/postgraduate-research/scholarships/deanschol.html

Dean’s International Postgraduate Research Scholarships

http://monash.edu/science/future/postgraduate-research/scholarships/fhits/

Your Online Application for Central Scholarships will be automatically treated as an application for the Faculty

Scholarships BUT Schools must still nominate you and all criteria must be met

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3 & 4. School and Research Centre Scholarships

• Contact Schools and Research Centres of the Faculty for details

A wide range of scholarships are offered Benefits and conditions may differ

Eligibility

- Generally minimum requirement of ‘H2A’

See:http://monash.edu/science/future/postgraduate-research/scholarships/

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Preparing a good application

• Submit all relevant information to support your application

• Referee reports should be requested and submitted

• Treat your scholarship application like a job application

• Sell yourself to the selection committee

• Remember you are competing against many other applicants

• Provide evidence of outstanding academic merit and research potential

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• Approach your prospective school and speak to potential supervisors

• Make yourself known

• You can only be ranked in one school

• APPLY even if you don’t think you wish to go on at this stage

Preparing a good application

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• Provide Publication details including: the nature and standing of the journal (Impact Factors See:

http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/databases/1424807.html) details of authorship, citations, number of pages your contribution, ie sole, joint, multi-authorship indicate whether submitted, in press (accepted for publication),

provisionally accepted or published (provide evidence)

• Prizes:– highlight academic prizes but others can be included

Preparing a good application

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• Research Proposal Spend time preparing your research proposal in consultation with the chosen

supervisor(s)- can be changed later (?), but is looked at by selection committees

Discuss your research proposal with your school and/or prospective supervisor(s)

Ensure that:

1. Your research program can be carried out within the school

2. Adequate facilities and resources are available in your school

3. You can be adequately supervised

Preparing a good application

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Documents to be submitted online

You will be required to submit the following documents online in order to register your application:

• A copy of your birth certificate, citizenship certificate or passport extract

• Permanent residents / international students: certified copy of passport extract with visa and entry stamps (if available)

• Academic records / transcripts

• Evidence of English language proficiency if relevant (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL test report)

Other documentation may also be submitted online (e.g. evidence of awards and prizes, employment references, etc.)

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• Academic record Honours results (H1) (Ranking in Honours class important) H1 Equivalence Undergraduate (third year focus) Awards, prizes or scholarships

• Research potential Honours research project (weighting and outcome) Publications and % contribution (refereed cf conference; provide documentary

evidence) Demonstrated research experience (laboratory, fieldwork,

industrial, etc.)

What do faculty and central committees look for when ranking applications?

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• Referees’ reports Strong endorsement from Head of School, academic(s) and / or external

referees (not compulsory – but strongly recommended!)

• Other relevant work experience Vacation scholarships, research assistantships etc.)

Carefully prepared application with objective evidence of the candidate’s academic standing and research

potential

What do faculty and central committees look for when ranking applications?

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The selection process

• Schools and then each faculty draws up an Order of Merit list. The selection process is coordinated through a central selection committee which has representatives from each major faculty

• Awards are allocated to faculties on basis of their completions, research income and publications and takes into account their relative success in attracting international students to research degree programs

• Additional scholarships are awarded on the basis of how many applicants a faculty receives. Hence:

APPLY… even if you don’t think you wish to go on at this stage

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The selection process

The Monash Institute of Graduate Research Central Selection Committee:

• Draws up a single university wide Order of Merit list

• May vary a faculty’s rank order with permission of the faculty

• Allocates scholarships according to the relative position on the faculty lists of eligible applicants (including international scholarships)

• Ratifies the decision of its selection sub-committee

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• An Expression of Interest must be made before you are invited to apply online so ensure you start the application process early to avoid missing the closing date of 31st October

• Submitting additional documents that will support your application – not an application itself! (before Mid November)

Must quote your application number and surname

• Remember your application number

• Applicants notified of result via email – Friday 12th,December 2014

Those nominated for a scholarship under the Faculty of Science Dean’s Postgraduate Research Scholarship scheme will be notified by email and a formal letter in mid-December, immediately after the central scholarships are announced

Finally…