Assoc Prof Peter Betts (Associate Dean

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Assoc Prof Peter Betts (Associate Dean Research
Training) May 7th 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 May 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
  qualificationa 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)
• 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 May 31st 5pm
• http//www.monash.edu.au/migr/apply/index.html
• OR 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
• Dont 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

• Deans Postgraduate Research Scholarships
• For Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and
  Permanent Residents of Australia
• Awarded by the Faculty to those who miss out on
  central scholarships
• 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

• Deans 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
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
For details see http//monash.edu/science/future
/postgraduate-research/scholarships/ Dean's
Postgraduate Research Scholarships
http//monash.edu/science/future/postgraduate-re
search/scholarships/deanschol.html Deans
International Postgraduate Research Scholarships
http//monash.edu/science/future/postgraduate-re
search/scholarships/fhits/
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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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Preparing a good application

• Approach your prospective school and speak to
  potential supervisors
• Make yourself known
• You can only be ranked in one school
• APPLY even if you dont think you wish to go on
  at this stage

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Preparing a good application

• Provide Publication details including
• the nature and standing of the journal (Impact
  Factors See http//www.lib.monash.edu.au/database
  s/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

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Preparing a good application

• 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

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

• 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.)

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

• 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 candidates academic standing and
  research potential

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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 dont 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 facultys 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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Finally

• 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 May
• Submitting additional documents that will support
  your application not an application itself!
  (before Friday June 14th for H1E, late June for
  English)
• Must quote your application number and surname
• Remember your application number
• Applicants notified of result via email - Friday,
  11th July, 2014
• Those nominated for a scholarship under the
  Faculty of Science Deans Postgraduate Research
  Scholarship scheme will be notified by email and
  a formal letter in mid-July, immediately after
  the central scholarships are announced