1. Introduction
2. RTP Fees Offset Scholarships
3. RTP Stipend Scholarships
4. RTP Allowance Scholarships
5. Termination of a RTP Scholarship
6. Changes to the Enrolment of a RTP Scholarship Student
7. Arrangements for Continuing Students
8. Grievance and Review Procedures
9. Provision of Supervision and Facilities
10. Arrangements for Optional Enrichment Activities
11. Acknowledgement of a RTP Scholarship

1. Introduction

1.1 The Australian Catholic University, henceforth ‘ACU’ or ‘the University’, offers Research Training Program Scholarships to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking a Research Doctorate degree or a Research Masters degree, as defined in the Australian Qualifications Framework.

1.2 The Research Training Program, henceforth ‘the RTP’, is funded by the Australian Government.

1.3 The RTP replaces the Research Training Scheme, and Australian Postgraduate Award and International Postgraduate Research Scholarship programs.

1.4 The ACU RTP Scholarship Policy has been developed in accordance with the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017 and should be read in conjunction with the University’s Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations.

1.5 There are three RTP Scholarships: RTP Fees Offset, RTP Stipend, and RTP Allowance.

1.6 In accordance with section 1.6.30 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017, ACU may expend up to a maximum of 10 per cent of its total RTP grant on the provision of RTP Scholarships to overseas students.

2. RTP Fees Offset Scholarships

2.1 Purpose

A RTP Fees Offset Scholarship pays for the tuition fees of a student enrolled in a Research Doctorate degree or a Research Masters degree that would otherwise be payable by the student.

2.2 Eligibility

2.2.1 To be eligible for a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship, the following criteria must be met:

i. a student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an accredited research higher degree at ACU; and

ii. a student must not be in receipt of an equivalent award or scholarship from the Commonwealth designed to offset research higher degree fees.

2.3 Offer Process

2.3.1 The University will offer a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship to all domestic students, as follows:

i. for Research Doctorate degrees, excluding the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought, for three years at a full-time student load or six years at a part-time student load;

ii. for the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought, for four years at a full-time student load or eight years at a part-time student load;

iii. for Research Masters degrees, excluding the Master of Theology (Research), for two years at a full-time student load or four years at a part-time student load; and

iv. for the Master of Theology (Research), for one year at a full-time student load or two years at a part-time student load.

2.3.2 The University may offer a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship to overseas students who are awarded a RTP Stipend Scholarship.

2.3.3 A student who has already undertaken study towards a Research Doctorate degree or a Research Masters degree, at either ACU or another Higher Education Provider, prior to the commencement of the RTP Fees Offset Scholarship, will have that period of study deducted from the duration of the scholarship, as specified in section 2.3.1 above, unless more than three years have lapsed since the student was last enrolled in a Research Doctorate degree or a Research Masters degree.

2.3.4 A student will be offered a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship in writing and will be required to accept the offer in writing within the timeframe specified in the letter of offer. The offer will include the period of support of the RTP Fees Offset Scholarship, a copy of the ACU RTP Scholarship Policy, and the estimated annual value of Australian Government support for the scholarship.

2.4 Suspension

2.4.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship may apply to the Faculty Associate Dean Research for a suspension of the scholarship, as follows:

i. for Research Doctorate degrees, for a maximum of 12 months at a full-time student load or for a maximum of 24 months at a part-time student load; and

ii. for Research Masters degrees, for a maximum of six months at a full-time student load or for a maximum of 12 months at a part-time student load.

2.4.2 The application for a suspension must be made in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations).

2.4.3 Approval of a suspension of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship is at the discretion of the Faculty Associate Dean Research.

2.4.4 A student in receipt of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship who has exceeded the suspension provisions in section 2.4.1 above, may, in exceptional circumstances, apply to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research for a further suspension of the scholarship, as follows:

i. for Research Doctorate degrees, for a maximum of six months at a full-time student load or for a maximum of 12 months at a part-time student load; and

ii. for Research Masters degrees, for a maximum of three months at a full-time student load or for a maximum of six months at a part-time student load.

2.4.5 The application for a further suspension must be made in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations)

2.4.6 Approval of the further suspension of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship is at the discretion of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, subject to him or her being satisfied that the exceptional circumstances are beyond the control of the student and warrant a further suspension of the scholarship.

2.4.7 Any approved periods of suspension of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship will not contribute to the period of support provided by the RTP Fees Offset Scholarship.

2.4.8 A student on an approved suspension of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship is not entitled to supervision or the use of any University facilities or resources for the duration of the suspension.

2.4.9 A student on an approved suspension of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship must resume his or her RTP Fees Offset Scholarship the working day following the expiry of the suspension, in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations).

2.5 Extension

2.5.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship and who is enrolled in a Research Doctorate Degree, excluding the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought, may apply to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research for an extension of the scholarship, for a maximum of 12 months at a full-time student load or for a maximum of 24 months at a part-time student load.

2.5.2 The application for an extension must be made in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations).

2.5.3 Approval of an extension of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship is at the discretion of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, subject to him or her being satisfied that the student will submit his or her thesis for examination prior to the expiry of the extension.

2.5.4 A student enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought or a Research Masters degree is not entitled to an extension of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship.

2.6 Expiry

2.6.1 A student who reaches the maximum duration of his or her RTP Fees Offset Scholarship, either as stated in the letter of offer or following an approved suspension or extension of the scholarship, and has not submitted his or her thesis for examination will be required to either withdraw from ACU or pay tuition fees for the remainder of his or her candidature (refer to the ACU Tuition Fee Schedule).

2.6.2 A student who withdraws may be eligible to have his or her enrolment reinstated at a later date (refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations and section 2.3.3 above).

2.7 Paid Employment

2.7.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship at a full-time student load is expected to work on his or her research project for approximately 40 hours per week and may undertake only a limited amount of part-time employment, as follows:

i. part-time employment will not exceed eight hours in a working week, which is defined as the period between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday;

ii. part-time employment must not interfere with the student’s research project or academic progress, and will not be accepted as an explanation for progress deemed unsatisfactory; and

iii. part-time employment arrangements must be discussed and agreed with the student’s principal supervisor prior to the employment commencing, or at the time of enrolment.

2.7.2 A student in receipt of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship at a part-time student load is expected to work on his or her research project for approximately 20 hours per week.

3. RTP STIPEND SCHOLARSHIPS

3.1 Purpose

A RTP Stipend Scholarship assists students with general living costs while undertaking a Research Doctorate degree.

3.2 Eligibility

3.2.1 To be eligible for a RTP Stipend Scholarship, the following criteria must be met:

i. a student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an accredited research higher degree at ACU; and

ii. a student must not be receiving income from another source to support his or her general living costs while undertaking his or her course of study if that income is greater than 75 per cent of the student’s RTP Stipend rate. Income unrelated to the student’s course of study or income received for the student’s course of study, but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs, will not be taken into account.

3.3 Application Process

3.3.1 RTP Stipend Scholarships will be offered at least once a year and will be advertised on the ACU website and in other media, as appropriate.

3.3.2 A link to the ACU RTP Scholarship Policy will be included in all RTP Stipend Scholarship advertisements.

3.3.3 Applications for RTP Stipend Scholarships must be made on the relevant ACU application form and received by the University no later than the deadline published in the scholarship advertisement.

3.3.4 The University reserves the right not to consider incomplete or late applications.

3.4 Selection process

3.4.1 The University will select RTP Stipend Scholarship recipients using a competitive selection process.

3.4.2 Applications will be assessed and ranked by two Panels: the Faculty RTP Stipend Ranking Panel and the ACU RTP Stipend Ranking Panel, in that order, and comprised as follows:

i. the Faculty RTP Stipend Panel will comprise the Associate Dean Research (or nominee) as Chair and at least three senior research active members of staff, as approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research; and

ii. the ACU RTP Stipend Panel will comprise the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research as Chair, the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, a minimum of two senior research active members of staff nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, and the Research Executive Advisors in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research.

3.4.3 The Faculty and ACU RTP Stipend Panels will rank applicants based on:

i. the academic merit of the applicant, as assessed by his or her academic qualifications, the strength of the research proposal submitted with the application, and the referee reports received by the University; and

ii. the quality of the research environment available to support the applicant, as measured by the research track records of the proposed supervisory team and the demonstrated research strength of the relevant field of research at the University.

3.4.4 In ranking applications, the Faculty and ACU RTP Stipend Panels will give priority to:

i. applicants whose proposed research aligns with the research priorities identified in the University’s strategic plan;

ii. applicants who have applied for doctoral level study and who have completed at least four years of full-time equivalent tertiary study and obtained first class honours or equivalent results;

iii. applicants who have applied to study full-time; and

iv. applicants who are Indigenous Australians.

3.4.5 When considering first class honours equivalence, the Faculty and ACU RTP Stipend Panels may select applicants who have high-quality academic publications and/or relevant work experience equating to first class honours, provided a justification for the selection is documented.

3.5 Offer Process

A student will be offered a RTP Stipend Scholarship in writing and will be required to accept the offer in writing within the timeframe specified in the letter of offer. The offer will include the period of support of the RTP Stipend Scholarship, a copy of the ACU RTP Scholarship Policy, and the annual value of Australian Government support for the scholarship.

3.6 Duration

3.6.1 A RTP Stipend Scholarship will have a duration of three years for students enrolled in a Research Doctorate degree at a full-time student load, excluding the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought.

3.6.2 A RTP Stipend Scholarship will have a duration of four years for students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought at a full-time student load.

3.6.3 A RTP Stipend Scholarship will have a duration of two years for students enrolled in a Research Masters degree, excluding the Master of Theology (Research).

3.6.4 A RTP Stipend Scholarship will have a duration of one year for students enrolled in a Master of Theology (Research).

3.6.5 If a RTP Stipend Scholarship recipient is enrolled at a part-time student load, the duration of the scholarship will be double the duration specified in sections 3.6.1 to 3.6.4 above.

3.6.6 A student who has already undertaken study towards a Research Doctorate degree or a Research Masters degree, prior to the commencement of the RTP Stipend Scholarship, will have that period of study deducted from the duration of the scholarship.

3.7 Stipend

3.7.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship who is enrolled at a full-time student load will have a stipend rate of the RTP base rate and a top-up of $5,000 per annum.

3.7.2 A student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship who is enrolled at a part-time student load will receive a stipend rate that is 50 per cent of the RTP base rate and a top-up of $2,500 per annum.

3.7.3 The RTP base stipend rate for any subsequent year is the same as the RTP stipend rate for the preceding year, indexed in accordance with Australian Government policy. The value of the top-up remains the same for the duration of the RTP Stipend Scholarship.

3.7.4 The University will pay a student his or her RTP stipend in proportion to the period in which the student has been supported with a RTP Stipend Scholarship.

3.7.5 The University will make fortnightly payments directly to a student in respect of his or her RTP Stipend Scholarship. Payment into an account in the student’s name with an Australian ADI is considered to be payment directly to the student.

3.8 Suspension

3.8.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship may apply to the Faculty Associate Dean Research for a suspension of the scholarship, for a maximum of 12 months at a full-time student load or a maximum of 24 months at a part-time student load.

3.8.2 The application for a suspension must be made in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations).

3.8.3 Approval of a suspension of a RTP Stipend Scholarship is at the discretion of the Faculty Associate Dean Research.

3.8.4 A student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship who has exceeded the suspension provisions in section 3.8.1 above, may, in exceptional circumstances, apply to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research for a further suspension of the scholarship, for a maximum of six months at a full-time student load or a maximum of 12 months at a part-time student load.

3.8.5 The application for a further suspension must be made in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations).

3.8.6 Approval of the further suspension of a RTP Stipend Scholarship is at the discretion of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, subject to him or her being satisfied that the exceptional circumstances are beyond the control of the student and warrant a further suspension of the scholarship.

3.8.7 Any approved periods of suspension of a RTP Stipend Scholarship will not contribute to the period of support provided by the RTP Stipend Scholarship.

3.8.8 A student on an approved suspension of a RTP Stipend Scholarship is not entitled to supervision or the use of any University facilities or resources for the duration of the suspension.

3.8.9 A student on an approved suspension of a RTP Stipend Scholarship must resume his or her RTP Stipend Scholarship the working day following the expiry of the suspension, in accordance with ACU’s procedures (refer to the Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations).

3.9 Extension

3.9.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship, excluding students who are enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought or a Research Masters degree, may apply to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research for an extension of the scholarship, for a maximum of 12 months at a full-time student load or for a maximum of 24 months at a part-time student load.

3.9.2 The application for an extension must be made in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations).

3.9.3 Approval of an extension of a RTP Stipend Scholarship is at the discretion of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, subject to him or her being satisfied that the student will submit his or her thesis for examination prior to the expiry of the extension.

3.9.4 A student who is enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought or a Research Masters degree is not entitled to an extension of a RTP Stipend Scholarship.

3.10 Paid Employment

3.10.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship at a full-time student load is expected to work on his or her research project for approximately 40 hours per week and may undertake only a limited amount of part-time employment, as follows:

i. part-time employment will not exceed eight hours in a working week, which is defined as the period between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday;

ii. part-time employment must not interfere with the student’s research project or academic progress, and will not be accepted as an explanation for progress deemed unsatisfactory; and

iii. part-time employment arrangements must be discussed and agreed with the student’s principal supervisor prior to the employment commencing, or at the time of enrolment.

3.10.2 A student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship at a part-time student load is subject to the same paid employment requirements as a student in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship at a full-time student load.

3.11 Leave Entitlements

3.11.1 A student is entitled to receive up to 20 working days’ paid recreation leave and 10 working days’ paid sick leave for each year of the RTP Stipend Scholarship. These leave entitlements may be accrued over the duration of the scholarship but will be forfeited when the RTP Stipend Scholarship expires or is terminated.

3.11.2 A student is entitled to receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of 60 working days during the duration of the RTP Stipend Scholarship for periods of illness where the student has insufficient sick leave entitlements available under section 3.11.1 above, provided that a medical certificate has been submitted to the University by the student. The student’s period of support for the RTP Stipend Scholarship will be extended by the period of approved additional sick leave.

3.11.3 Sick leave entitlements, including additional sick leave, may also be used to cover leave for a student with family caring responsibilities, provided that a medical certificate has been provided by the student to the University where additional sick leave is being used for this purpose. The student’s period of support for the RTP Stipend Scholarship will be extended by the period of approved additional sick leave.

3.11.4 A student who has completed 12 months of her RTP Stipend Scholarship is entitled to a maximum of 60 working days’ paid maternity leave during the duration of the RTP Stipend Scholarship. Paid maternity leave will also be approved if the student has adopted a child. The student’s period of support for the RTP Stipend Scholarship will be extended by the period of approved paid maternity leave.

3.11.5 A student who is the partner of a woman giving birth while in receipt of a RTP Stipend Scholarship and who has completed 12 months of his RTP Stipend Scholarship is entitled to a period of 10 working days’ paid paternity leave at the time of the birth. Paid paternity leave will also be approved if the student is adopting a child. The student’s period of support for the RTP Stipend Scholarship will be extended by the period of approved paid paternity leave.

3.11.6 A student’s principal supervisor is responsible for approving and recording the recreation leave taken by a RTP Stipend Scholarship recipient.

3.11.7 A student must make any applications for leave, excluding recreation leave, in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations).

4. RTP ALLOWANCE SCHOLARSHIPS

4.1 Purpose

A RTP Allowance Scholarship assists with the ancillary costs incurred by a student enrolled in a Research Doctorate degree or a Research Masters degree in undertaking his or her program of study.

4.2 Eligibility

4.2.1 To be eligible for a RTP Allowance, a student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an accredited research higher degree at ACU.

4.3 Offer Process

4.3.1 The University will offer a RTP Allowance (Thesis) to RTP Stipend Scholarship recipients, as follows:

i. the RTP Allowance (Thesis) is set at a maximum of $750 and is a contribution to the photocopying/printing and binding costs of the thesis for submission for examination, and re-examination where relevant, and final submission;

ii. the RTP Allowance (Thesis) is payable upon submission of the completed RTP Allowance (Thesis) form with original receipts attached to the University; and

iii. the RTP Allowance (Thesis) may be claimed only once and no later than three months after the student has been approved for graduation.

4.3.2 The University will offer a RTP Allowance (Overseas Student Health Care Policy) to an overseas student who is awarded a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship and/or a RTP Stipend Scholarship. The Overseas Student Health Care Policy is to be a ‘single policy’, unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, at his or her discretion, approves a ‘dual-family policy’ or ‘multi-family policy’.

4.3.3 A student will be offered a RTP Allowance Scholarship in writing and will be required to accept the offer in writing within the timeframe specified in the letter of offer. The offer will include a copy of the ACU RTP Scholarship Policy, as well as the estimated value of Australian Government support for the scholarship.

4.4 Research Support

Each Faculty at ACU offers a research support scheme for students enrolled in a Research Doctorate degree or a Research Masters degree. A student should contact his or her Faculty Associate Dean Research for details of the scheme, including the application process.

5. TERMINATION OF A RTP SCHOLARSHIP

5.1 A student will have his or her RTP Scholarship terminated, as follows:

5.1.1 if the student ceases to meet the eligibility criteria specified in sections 2.2, 3.2 and/or 4.2 above, as appropriate, and other than during a period in which a suspension has been approved; or

5.1.2 on submission of the thesis for examination, or on the death, incapacity or withdrawal of the student; or

5.1.3 if the student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress; or

5.1.4 if, in the opinion of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, the course of study is not being carried out in accordance with the offer of the RTP Scholarship; or

5.1.5 if the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research determines that a student is guilty of research or academic misconduct; or

5.1.6 if the student is found to have provided false or misleading information in his or her application for a RTP Scholarship; or

5.1.7 if the student does not resume his or her RTP Scholarship, in accordance with ACU procedures, the working day after his or her suspension or leave expires, or does not make arrangements to extend the period of suspension or leave; or

5.1.8 if, for a RTP Stipend Scholarship, the student ceases to be enrolled at a full-time student load and has not obtained approval to be enrolled at a part-time student load.

6. CHANGES TO THE ENROLMENT OF A RTP SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

6.1 A student who changes the topic and/or field of research of his or her research project will not have the duration of any RTP Scholarship extended.

6.2 A student who transfers from another Higher Education Provider to ACU will have the period of study undertaken at the other Higher Education Provider deducted from the period of any RTP Scholarship.

6.3 A student who transfers from ACU to another Higher Education Provider will withdraw from ACU and relinquish any RTP Scholarship provided by ACU prior to enrolling at the other Higher Education Provider.

6.4 A student who changes from full-time to part-time study, or from part-time to full-time study, will have the duration of any RTP Scholarship adjusted accordingly (refer to sections 2.3 and 3.6 above).

6.5 A student who changes from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate Degree, or from a Research Doctorate Degree to a Research Masters degree, will have the duration of any RTP Scholarship changed to that for the new degree (refer to sections 2.3 and 3.6 above).

7. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS

7.1 All Research Doctorate and Research Masters students who were in receipt of an Australian Postgraduate Award, International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and/or Research Training Scheme Scholarship prior to 1 January 2017 (‘continuing students’) will be offered a RTP Scholarship with equivalent support to that offered under the ceasing programs.

7.2 Section 2.6 above—that is, expiry of a RTP Fees Offset Scholarship—applies to all continuing students.

8. GRIEVANCE AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

A student in receipt of a RTP Scholarship who wishes to request a review of a decision made in respect of his or her scholarship, should do so in accordance with section 21 of the Higher Degree Research Regulations

9. PROVISION OF SUPERVISION AND FACILITIES

9.1 Supervision

Expectations in respect of supervision are set out in the Higher Degree Research Supervision Policy.

9.2 Facilities

9.2.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Scholarship will be provided access to:

i. work space, including a chair and desk;

ii. tea room and wash room facilities;

iii. University licensed software on the same basis as academic staff;

iv. data storage facilities; and

v. if working full-time on campus, telephone, fax, photocopier, networked computer, laboratory facilities where relevant, and stationery for the purpose of conducting his or her research.

9.2.2 Facilities requirements may be met by shared use involving rosters.

9.2.3 Workspaces will be configured in such a way as to comply with confidentiality or other ethical requirements, as appropriate.

9.2.4 Schools and Research Institutes are responsible for the provision of facilities for a student in receipt of a RTP Scholarship.

10. ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

10.1 A student who undertakes an optional industry placement, research internship,professional practice activity or other similar enrichment activity, as part of his or her Research Doctorate degree or Research Masters degree, will not have the duration of the RTP Fees Offset Scholarship and/or the RTP Stipend extended, or, the RTP Stipend rate changed.

10.2 A student must seek approval to undertake an enrichment activity in accordance with ACU procedures (refer to the Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations).

11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF A RTP SCHOLARSHIP

11.1 A student in receipt of a RTP Scholarship must acknowledge the support provided by the Australian Government when, at any time during or after completion of a Research Doctorate degree or Research Masters degree, he or she or his or her supervisors and any other party, publishes or produces material such as books, articles, newsletters, reports, or other literary or artistic works which relate to the research project carried out by the student.

11.2 The Australian Government’s contribution must be acknowledged in a prominent place and in an appropriate form. The acknowledgement must include the mention of the student’s support through an ‘Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship’.

Policy

• RTP Scholarship Policy (Policy, PDF File, 324.4 KB)

Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Local Protocols

Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017
ACU Research Doctorate Degree Regulations
ACU Code of Supervisory Practice for Students Undertaking a Research Higher Degree