Research degree International Travel Grants:
Student Mobility
As part of UniSA's internationalisation strategy, the
Graduate Research Centre, in conjunction with UniSA International as part of their Student
Mobility Implementation strategy, is offering a number of international
travel grants.
Research degree students are to demonstrate international perspectives in research in a discipline or professional area and as a leading citizen as part of the Research Degree Graduate Qualities
- Purpose of the grant
- Are you eligible?
- Value of the grant
- Method of payment
- Number of grants available
- Length of stay overseas
- How to apply and closing dates
- Visa and insurance
- Recreational travel
- Restrictions
- Travel and health
- Security
- Reporting requirements
Purpose
The purpose of the grant is to provide the opportunity for research degree students to gain an international perspective and improve their thesis by having the opportunity to undertake research, data collection or work with institutional or industry partners in overseas locations.
Whilst overseas, research degree students will be expected to be an 'ambassador' for UniSA and build research relationships with academics at the overseas institution.
These grants provide funding towards:
- Gaining industry or academic experience at institutions with which UniSA has an agreement
- Overseas field trips for the purpose of data collection
Travel to conferences to present a refereed conference paper may also be
included.
Are you eligible?
These travel grants are available to research degree students, who are undertaking either:
- a Doctoral degree (PhD or Research Professional Doctorate)
OR - upgrading to a Doctoral degree from a Masters by Research degree
at the University of South Australia.
The applicant:
- must be currently enrolled at UniSA for a Doctoral degree and normally be in his/her second or early third year of candidacy (or an equivalent period part-time), or be in the process of upgrading from a Masters by Research Degree to a Doctoral degree
- should ensure s/he has completed and had his/her research proposal accepted and have the appropriate ethics and/or safety clearances
- must be making satisfactory progress
- is likely to complete their degree within the required timeframe
- has clearly demonstrated the capacity for independent research
- is to provide evidence of the manner in which the research and thesis will be enhanced by the visit overseas
- has gained unqualified support from the supervisor for the proposed overseas visit
- is to provide confirmation from the overseas institution that arrangements have been finalised or are in the process of being finalised
- must indicate how contact will be maintained with the supervisor and the
University whilst overseas.
Value of the grant
The total grant will be funded jointly between UniSA through the Student Mobility Implementation fund (60%) and the division/institute/school/centre (40%) in which the student is enrolled.
The total value of the grant will normally be up to $5,000 towards travel and living expenses.
Research degree students will need to provide a budget to indicate the cost of the
travel.
Method of payment
If successful in obtaining the Student Mobility Grant the normal process
is to the pay the full grant (60% + 40%) directly to the research degree student via the
provision of nominated bank account details. Alternatively, the Graduate
Research Centre will provide the school/division/institute with 60% of the
grant to monitor the student's expenditure. If the school/division/institute
wishes the funds to go via their cost centre, the supervisor will need to
indicate this on the supporting statement.
Number of grants available
It is anticipated that approximately 20 grants per year will be funded.
Priority will be given to those research degree students gaining industry or academic
experience at
institutions with which UniSA has an agreement, either at the
University or division/institute level.
Length of stay overseas
The minimum period for funding shall normally be six weeks and the
maximum period shall depend on the length of candidacy, but notionally will
not be greater than four months.
How to apply and closing dates
Applications will be considered by the Dean of Graduate Studies, based on:
- meeting eligibility criteria
- academic merit
- the content of the application
- the financial resources available to the applicant
- the supporting statement of the Supervisor, and comments from the Research Degree Coordinator and Dean Research (or equivalent)
- the overseas institution where the candidate will be researching
- confirmation of funds to be provided by the division/institute/school/centre.
Application form
Successful applicants will be advised by email within one month of the closing date.
- Application form - RTF (for pcs) and Word (for Macs)
- Academic recommendation form - supervisors - RTF (for pcs) and Word (for Macs)
-
Academic recommendation form - Head of School/Director of Institute -
RTF (for pcs) and
Word
(for Macs)
Closing dates
Applications must be lodged with the Graduate Research Centre no later than:
- 15 February for grants to be taken between July and December of that year
- 30 June for grants to be taken between January and June of the following
year.
Visa and insurance
Research degree students must arrange their own health and personal travel insurance and appropriate visas.
Normally research degree students travelling on University approved business as part of their degree are covered for Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Personal Accident and Travel.
For clarification, please contact the University's
Insurance Officer
Recreational travel
A research degree student whilst using an international travel grant may prolong
their overseas stay to include recreational travel at their own expense.
However, the research degree student must get prior written approval of their proposed recreational
travel from their Supervisor and the Graduate Research Centre.
Restrictions
Research degree students cannot use the length of time spent overseas as a reason for either a scholarship or candidacy extension.
International research degree students must ensure that if they are successful in obtaining a grant that the travel overseas does not affect their Australian visa. Please contact tel: +61 8 8302 5880 or email research_degrees@unisa.edu.au
Normally, international research degree students cannot use these funds solely to
visit their home country, but may make a case to undertake research in their
home country.
Travel and health
Research degree students must arrange their own travel, personal insurance and appropriate visas.
Students must also ensure that they take account of health warnings in
the country of travel and arrange their own vaccinations.
Security
Research degree students must:
- comply with the University's Travel Policies and Procedures
- ensure their own safety in the visiting country by reference to the
Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade travel
advisories
Reporting requirements
On return to UniSA, research degree students must provide a brief report describing the work undertaken to the Division/Institute Research Management Committee on their return to UniSA.