Awards & Scholarships

• School of Molecular and Biomedical Science Postgraduate Writing-up Awards
• School Prizes for Postgraduate Students

School of Molecular and Biomedical Science Postgraduate Writing-up Awards

Purpose

The postgraduate writing-up award is designed to support doctoral candidates in the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science in the period immediately after thesis submission to allow them to prepare for publication journal articles or books which are based on the thesis submitted for a Ph.D.

Number

The number of awards is subject to availability of funds. Decisions will be based on the selection criteria below. Submission of an application does not guarantee the award of a postgraduate writing-up award.

Eligibility

Ph.D. students enrolled full-time with the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science at the University of Adelaide who submit their thesis for examination within 3.5 years of candidature. Students may apply before or after submission of the thesis for examination, provided they have not been advised of the result of the examination. The award cannot be taken up until the thesis has been submitted.

It is a requirement that students on full-time scholarships such as the Writing-Up Award should live in or near enough to Adelaide in order to enable frequent and systematic use of University facilities, including formal research training and to maintain regular contact with supervisors if required.

Applicants need not have been holders of a postgraduate scholarship. The awardee should not hold a similar award for the same purpose. A person to whom an award is made may not undertake full-time or substantial regular part-time employment during the tenure of the award. (More than 10 hours during normal working hours is considered 'substantial regular part-time work').

International students should ensure that your visa allows you to stay in the country, as upon submitting your thesis you are an unenrolled student and must normally leave the country within 28 days. You should contact the University International Student Centre for advice on steps you need to take to extend your visa if you are to take up the award. International students must also comply with any contractual obligations, which you may owe to an employer or sponsor, in particular, those obligations relating to the period to be spent in your home country following completion of your studies.

Value

The awardee will receive a payment of $3,000. Payment will be in two equal instalments of $1,500. The first instalment of $1,500 will be effected from the day on which the awardee accepts the offer. The second instalment of $1,500 will be authorised on receipt of a progress report from the award holder endorsed by the supervisor and Head of School.

Tenure

The award is normally tenable for up to two months. The awardee will be responsible to the Head of School for work undertaken for the award. Awards cannot be deferred.

Application

Application forms are available here.

Applications consist of:

1. a proposal from the student on what he/she will write during the period of the award and the journal/publisher to which the articles or books will be submitted.
2. a recommendation from the supervisor, based on an assessment of the applicant's Ph.D./Higher Doctorate research work and the nature of the thesis material being written up for publication.
3. the candidate's curriculum vitae.

Applications should be submitted to the School's Academic Programs Officer, Jennifer Peters(jennifer.peters@adelaide.edu.au). All applications will be considered by the School Research Education Committee.

Selection

If the submission of the Ph.D. thesis falls within the maximum 4 Year candidature period and the candidature has not been lapsed, an award will be successful provided the criteria outlined below are met, and there is sufficient funding available. Criteria that will be taken into account by the Committee in assessing applications are as follows:

• Proposed writing-up to be completed under the award.
• Previous publication record, if any, arising from the Ph.D. research.
• Supervisor's report. - Conference papers, if any, based on Ph.D. research
• Length of time as a Ph.D. candidate. (Priority will be given to students who submitted their thesis without extensions. Approved leave periods are taken into account).

Report

At the end of the first month, the award holder must submit a satisfactory progress report via proforma in order to receive the second instalment. The award holder, on the expiry of the grant, must submit a final report on the work undertaken. Both the progress and final reports must be endorsed by the supervisor and submitted to the School Academic Programs Officer. Reports will be considered by the School Research Education Committee. Report forms are available here.

School Prizes for Postgraduate Students

(The application form for the 2009 awards can be downloaded here.)

The School of Molecular and Biomedical Science has established two prizes to recognise outstanding achievements of our postgraduate students during candidature.

1. School Postgraduate Academic Achievement Award

The Award
The 'Postgraduate Academic Achievement Award' in the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science consists of a cash prize of $500, and a certificate. Up to four prizes may be awarded annually.

Aim
To recognise and reward outstanding academic achievement during postgraduate study.

Criteria
Outstanding academic achievement during candidature as evidenced by the quality of the thesis and journal publications, as well as prizes and awards for scientific achievement.

I. research publications (80% of total)
Assessment will be based on examiners' reports for thesis, thesis awards, and contribution to the field by journal articles arising from the thesis work.

II. Honours and awards obtained during candidature(20% of total)
Factors considered include: prizes for presentation at meetings, awards from Scientific societies, competitive travel grants

Eligibility
Postgraduate students enrolled in the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science who qualified for the PhD degree between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009.

2. School Postgraduate All-round Achievement Award

The Award
The 'Postgraduate All-round Achievement Award' in the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science consists of a cash prize of $500, and a certificate. Certificates of merit may be awarded to several runners-up.

Aim
To recognise and reward outstanding all-round achievement during postgraduate study, taking into consideration academic achievement, and service to the School or University, scientific societies and community.

Criteria
Outstanding all-round academic achievement and service during candidature as evidenced by service to the School, University and communities, and publications, prizes and awards for scientific achievement.

I. service to the University, scientific and general community (50% of total)
Factors considered include: service as a postgraduate student representative; School or University committee membership; contribution to school teaching programs; service for PGSA, scientific societies (e.g., ASMR), conference organising, community involvement, school visits, etc.

II. research publications (40% of total)
Assessment will be based on contribution to the field by journal articles arising from the thesis work, examiners' reports for thesis (if available) and thesis awards.

III. Honours and awards obtained during candidature (10% of total)
Factors considered include: prizes for presentation at meetings, awards from Scientific societies, competitive travel grants

Eligibility
Postgraduate students in the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science who have completed 2 years of candidature and not exceeded 4 years of candidature by the closing date for nominations. Previous winners of the award are not eligible.

Application Process for both Awards

The application form for the 2009 awards can be downloaded here. Please follow the instructions on the form. Fill in the form electronically, print it out, have it signed as required and then scan it into .pdf file format for submission by email to Mrs. Jennifer Peters, Academic Programs Officer, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science. (jennifer.peters@adelaide.edu.au).

The closing date for applications is 18 September 2009.

Selection process

Applications will be considered by postgraduate coordinators from each of the four disciplines of the School.

Announcement of outcome

Prize winners will be announced by the end of November.