Research Support

The following links provide guidance to researchers on the complex considerations necessary in the conception, design and conduct of appropriate research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• University of Adelaide Research Integrity
• NHMRC - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Ethics
• AIATSIS Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies

Julia Konig Bequest Award

The late Julia Nora Konig made a bequest of the residue of her estate to the University of Adelaide to be disbursed for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Eligibility: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking postgraduate studies on a full time basis by coursework or research towards the degrees of Master or Doctor of Philosophy shall be eligible to apply.

Value: The value of each award will be determined by the Graduate Scholarships Committee, taking into consideration available funding, financial need, and number of eligible applications. Applicants may receive an award in more than one calendar year, normally to a maximum of two years if he/she is enrolled in a Masters degree and up to four years if enrolled for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

See the applications round page for Major Round application dates, and a link to the online application form.

University of Adelaide Special Circumstances Scholarship

These scholarships provide a living allowance equivalent to a Research Training Program Scholarship, a Research Training Program place and allowances such as relocation, thesis and sick/maternity leave.

The University currently offers two 'special circumstances scholarships', equivalent to a Research Training Program Scholarship, that are available to students who do not meet the normal scholarship criteria and whose prior academic performance may have been seriously disadvantaged as a result of exceptional circumstances such as a disability, sickness or heavy care duties. Applications from Indigenous Australians are encouraged.

To Apply: The awards are allocated as part of the Major Round of applications.

See the applications round page for Major Round application dates, and a link to the online application form.

University of Adelaide Indigenous Research Scholarship

Up to two postgraduate research scholarships will be offered annually for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Eligibility: Students must be enrolled, or seeking to enroll, in a research higher degree at the University of Adelaide, have completed at least four years of tertiary education studies at a high level of achievement and hold as a minimum a good Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent). Students who are currently enrolled in higher degree by research and have not held a scholarship previously may also be considered.

To Apply: The awards are allocated as part of the Major Round of applications. See the applications round page for Major Round application dates, and a link to the online application form. If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Andrea Przygonski or Alison Birbeck.

Taplin International Bursary for International Education

The Taplin Indigenous Bursary for International Education is funded by a grant given by Emeritus Professor John Taplin a former University of Adelaide Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) with a strong commitment to the internationalisation of higher education.

The Donor is also motivated by the pioneering ethnographic and linguistic studies undertaken by his great-grandfather, the Reverend George Taplin, with the Ngarrindjeri people whose land encompasses the lower Murray River and Lakes region of South Australia, and his unremitting advocacy on their behalf in the early years following British colonisation of this State.

Applicants must be of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent who regard themselves as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and who are so considered by the community in which they live or have lived.

The bursaries are open to both current Indigenous staff and students of the University of Adelaide and are available to assist with the expenses of international education and travel.

The recipients must use the bursary funds only for the following purposes:

• to undertake a program of study in a country with first nation peoples (with a preference for New Zealand and Canada) that is relevant to issues facing Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people; or
• to attend a conference or visit relevant centres to investigate issues of relevance to Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people; and
• for legitimate costs associated with travel to the study program or conference such as airfares, accommodation and program expenses

Recipients must provide the University with a report outlining their experiences and how the bursary has assisted them after completion of their study program or conference.

Two bursaries per year will be awarded. The value of the bursaries is up to $5000 each subject to the recipients providing satisfactory documentary evidence of their costs.

Application: refer to Taplin International Bursary for International Education scholarship page

Wirltu Yarlu research seminar series

Wirtlu Yarlu research seminar series showcases research undertaken by Aboriginal staff and students across the University.

Indigenous HDR network

The network lead by Wirtlu Yarlu will to provide a foundational network for students and further researchers to get connected with other colleagues to grow experience, knowledge and confidence in their endeavours.

Wirltu Yarlu master classes

Wirltu Yarlu have developed research workshops and master classes to support HDR students in the University of Adelaide.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy aims to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the University of Adelaide through the offering of employment opportunities and cadetships, and sets a bold population parity target of 2% participation by 2023.

The strategy also promotes the retention and advancement of the University's current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff through scholarships and professional development opportunities and activities.

Wirtlu Yarlu provides further support with access to study facilities and support services.

A key part of the Tarrkarri Tirrka (Future Learning) strategy was the establishment of an Indigenous Research Committee (IRC), which met during 2013-2014. The aim of the IRC was to develop a University-wide approach to increasing the number of Indigenous research students and researchers, and improving Indigenous-related research performance.

Following a considerable amount of work, the IRC developed a report to enhance Indigenous research and research training at the University, containing a series of detailed recommendations. Following endorsement by senior management, an implementation plan was created to build upon our existing Indigenous research capacity.

Some of the recommendations to come out of the IRC report include:

• Indigenous Research register
  A 'research map' of Indigenous research occurring across the University has been developed in conjunction with research pathways and supports.
• Indigenous Staff HDR Completion Program
  The University of Adelaide will introduce a scheme to provide existing professional and academic staff with the opportunity to buy-out 0.4 FTE of their full-time employment to work towards completing their PhD/Masters by Research. The first round of applications are now closed.
• Indigenous Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
  The University is seeking philanthropic funding to support the introduction of a new Indigenous Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. It is aimed at attracting top early-career researchers to the University, and giving Fellows the opportunity to gain momentum for a lifetime of solutions that will benefit their field and their communities.
• Assist Indigenous HDR graduates to become research staff
  Careers Services and the Indigenous Employment Project Officer have established employment workshops specifically aimed at the needs of Indigenous HDR graduates.
• Research Tuesdays
  To assist in promoting Indigenous research to the public, an annual lecture will be part of the University’s Research Tuesday’s program, held during Reconciliation week.

Our comprehensive research support framework and infrastructure makes available services, advice and tools to our researchers and research students, supporting their research, making it easier to navigate and comply with the regulatory and administrative aspects of research, as well as distribute, market and commercialise outcomes, and manage research data.

Research services provides assistance with the Discovery Indigenous research scheme which supports research programs led by an Indigenous Australian researcher and build research capacity of higher degree research and early career researchers.

Please visit the University's research services page to access the wide range of research support services available to all University staff and students.

A major responsibility of the Research and Branch Librarian at the University of Adelaide is to liaise with academic staff, researchers and students to make the most effective use of library resources and services.

The University Library supports researchers through the research lifecycle in a number of ways.

The How Do I guides help with access to information about essential information skills, finding information, referencing, and about specific subject areas.

The Library’s research services provide support across research data management, publishing your research, managing your researcher profile, and maximising the impact of your research.

The Library’s liaison librarians, who are experts at finding, evaluating, and managing information and can help you achieve your research goals.

The Aspiration Initiative

Just over six and a half years ago there had never been an Indigenous Australian studying for a full time degree at Oxford or Cambridge. As of January 2016, 15 Indigenous postgraduates scholars have graduated from one of these leading universities.

There are Scholarships available for Indigenous Australians to study overseas at Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. Funding is available for either a masters, a PhD program or executive development programs.

These Scholarships are available through either the Charlie Perkins or the Roberta Sykes Trusts.