1. Background
a. This Scholarship was established to provide financial aid to a PhD student doing research on the causes and effects of major antinutritional factors in Kikuyugrass (Projects 1b & 1c of Dairy UP).
Kikuyu toxicity can occasionally affect b. Kikuyu, causing death in affected cattle. This is one of the main obstacles to expanding pasture-based dairy production systems that use this grass. It is not known what causes this toxicity. Working in collaboration with scientists from NSW DPI, this PhD project will aim to (1) determine the causative agents of Kikuyu toxicity using untargeted metabolomics and community/transcriptomic sequencing and (2) uncover the influence of genotypic and environmental factors on toxicity expression.
c. The PhD project will work in collaboration across the P1 (Unlocking Kikuyu-based Pastures) project, and more specifically across P1b, (antinutritional Factors), led by a research team from Elizabeth Macarthur Ag Institute and EMAI, NSW DPI, and P1c, (Genetic Variability in Kikuyu), led by the Plant Breeding Institute of the University of Sydney.
d. This Scholarship is funded through Dairy UP, administered and managed by the University of Sydneys Dairy Research Foundation, and supported by both the NSW Government (BIR-SDG) and the Commonwealth Government through their Bushfire Industry Recover Pack Sector Development Grants program.
e. The terms of the scholarship were drafted to align with the Funding Deed Bushfire Industry Recovery Package Sector Development Grants, Research Collaboration Agreements (De-Risking NSW Dairy Industry) as well as the relevant Project Schedule.
2. Eligibility
a. The scholarship is only available to applicants who have been offered unconditional admission or are currently enrolled in full-time PhD studies at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney.
b. Applicants must be able to conduct research on the causes and effects of major antinutritional factors in Kikuyugrass (Projects 1, 2 and 1c of Dairy UP).
c. The applicant must also have at least one of these qualifications in a related field.
I. an Honors degree (First Class, Second Class Upper, or equivalent).
II. Masters degree with substantial research component.
d. The applicant must have a background either in Agriculture, Veterinary Science or Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
e. Applicant must agree to receive the required vaccines in order to work in a farm environment.
3. Selection Criteria
a. The Scholarship will be awarded to the successful applicant on the basis:
I. Academic merit, and
II. II.
III. curriculum vitae,
IV. IV. Previous research experience
V. personal statement that demonstrates an interest and commitment to the research and to working in a group?
b. Candidates with skills in data analysis, statistical software, and willingness to experiment on the ground, including the deployment and maintenance of equipment projects, will be preferred.
c. The Scholarship will go to the successful applicant if the relevant research supervisor(s), their nominated delegate(s), or the nominee of the Scholarship.
4. Value
a. The Scholarship will provide a monthly stipend allowance of $40,000 (fixed-rate) for up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic performances.
b. The PhD recipient is encouraged to finish their PhD within 3 years. However, they may be eligible for an extension of the primary allowance allowance for up to 6 month.
c. Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF) is charged for up to 12 research periods. This fee is subject to satisfactory academic performance.
d. Extensions of SSAF may be granted for up two research periods.
e. Scholarships for international students will cover overseas health coverage for the successful student (single coverage only) during the normal full-time University of Sydney academic year.
f. Study periods that were completed towards the degree before the Scholarship was started will be taken out of the Scholarship’s maximum duration, excluding any extension periods.
g. The Scholarship is only available for the start of the relevant research period. Without prior approval, it cannot be deferred nor transferred to another area.
h. There is no other amount payable.
i. The Scholarship will be awarded subject to funding availability.
5. Eligibility to Progression
a. The annual progress evaluation is required for progression.
6. Leave arrangements
a. The Scholarship recipient can take up to 20 working days of recreation leave each calendar year. This may be earned. The Scholarship recipient will forfeit any unutilized leave if the Scholarship is terminated. Recreation leave is not subject to leave loading. Before the student can take it, the supervisor must consent.
b. The Scholarship recipient can take up to 10 working day sick leave each year. This may be accrued over a period of time. Students with family responsibilities, caring to sick children or relatives, and/or experiencing domestic violence may convert upto five days of their annual sick leaves to carers leave by presenting a medical certificate. Students who take sick leave must notify their supervisor as soon possible.
7. Research Overseas
a. The scholarship recipient cannot normally conduct research abroad within the first six month of award.
b. The University and Department of Foreign Affairs and Travel must give the recipient official advice in light of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
c. The scholarship holder can conduct up to 12 months of research outside Australia. The student must apply to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre(HDRAC) for approval. Only if the research is essential to the degree will it be granted.
d. Additional approval may be required, as described in the University of Sydney’s Covid-19 Response plan.
e. All research done overseas is cumulative and will be added to a student’s candidature. Students must continue to be enrolled full time at the University in order to be allowed to count their time away.
f. The recipient agrees that the University of Sydney cannot be held responsible for any expenses incurred if the recipient is conducting research in another country. This includes, but is not limited too, to the cost of travel and transfer (unless stated under section 4. (Value), of this scholarship to amount), delays due to travel restrictions and Federal quarantine requirements upon their return to Australia.
8. Suspension
a. The Scholarship recipient cannot cancel their award after six months of study unless a legislative provision applies.
b. The Scholarship recipient may request a suspension of the Scholarship up to 12 months for any reason during its tenure. The Scholarship award will be terminated if the recipient fails to resume studies after a period of Scholarship suspension. Through an application to the Higher degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC), the student’s supervisor, Head School, and Faculty must approve the request. The maximum term of the Scholarship will be reduced if the student is unable to complete the degree while the scholarship is suspended.
9. Changes in Enrolment
a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and the University of Sydneys Dairy Research Foundation promptly of any planned changes in their enrolment. This includes but is not limited to: withdrawal, cancellation, leave of absent, withdrawal, course change, candidature upgrade or downgrade, as well as attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absent, leave of absence, and withdrawal. The University may request repayment of any SSAF or stipend that was not paid if the award holder fails to notify HDRAC and the University of Sydneys Dairy Research Foundation of the above-mentioned changes.
10. Termination
a. The Scholarship will be ended:
I. upon resignation or withdrawal by the recipient of their research degree
II. II.
III. III. If the recipient ceases being a full time student and prior approval is not obtained to hold the Scholarship,
IV. Upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature as per the University of Sydney (Higher degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy
V. if the recipient is awarded an alternative primary stipend scholarship. In such situations, the Scholarship will be withdrawn in favor of the alternative stipend scholarship that is of greater value.
VI. VI.
VII. VII.
b. If the University is of the opinion that the Scholarship should be terminated before the deadline,
I. The course of study is not being done with competence and diligence, or in accordance to the terms of this offer.
II. The student fails to make satisfactory progress or
III. The student has been found guilty of misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.
c. The Scholarship is suspended during any inquiry/appeal.
d. The Scholarship will be canceled once it has ended, unless the University is negligent.
11. Conduct erroneous
a. A. This includes, but is not limited to, academic dishonesty, research misconduct according to the Research Code of Conduct (for instance, plagiarism in proposing or carrying out the results of research or failures to declare or manage a significant conflict of interest), breach of Code of Conduct for Students, and misrepresentation in application materials or other documentation related with the Scholarship.
b. b. By accepting this Scholarship, the student agrees that all aspects of any investigation into misconduct relating to this Scholarship will be disclosed by the University to any relevant professional body and/or the funding body.
12. Approval of Biosafety/Ethics
For the duration of this Scholarship, the recipient must have a. Ethics/Biosafety approval.
13. Intellectual Property
a. The University of Sydney will provide the Student Deed Poll to the Scholarship recipient.
14. Confidentiality
a. The scholarship recipient must keep confidential information from participating organisations and the University of Sydney secret. They must also ensure that it is not disclosed or used by a third party without the prior consent of the University of Sydney, participating organisation, or as required by law.
15. Publications
a. The recipient must seek permission from the Department before any public announcements about this Project are made; acknowledge the support of both Commonwealth and department, as directed by the department in publications and public statements related to the project.
b. The University of Sydney and Department must receive a copy of any published proposals within 28 days of the successful applicant submitting for publication.
16. Thesis
a. Any non-enrolling institution member Dairy UP may request that the recipient of the Scholarship submit their thesis in confidence to the examiners. The thesis will be kept in restricted confidential storage if:
I. the thesis includes all results of the Program (and any related Projects) in whole, or in part.
II. (2). Confidentiality of information from non-enrolling institutions will be affected if it is published in the scholarship recipients thesis.
