Our procedure outlines how we will provide and manage Graduate Research Scholarships, funded by Adelaide University, Australian or State Government, external partners and philanthropic sources.
Please read this procedure in conjunction with our:
Graduate research students undertaking a graduate research program at Adelaide University and being awarded a graduate research scholarship including Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships.
Adelaide University graduate research scholarships, grants and prizes will be established through, and administered and reviewed by, our Adelaide University Graduate Research School (AUGRS) under the direction of the relevant authority and, where required, in accordance with Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017. In accordance with these Guidelines, candidates for Australian Government RTP Scholarships will be selected by Adelaide University through a competitive merit-based process.
Our major scholarships, including those that are externally funded, must be offered at no less than the prescribed Adelaide University scholarship value and duration for Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy graduate research students, unless exempted by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation or their delegate.
Master of Research Assistance Scholarships (MResS) are available to assist eligible graduate research students to complete a Master of Research.
The award of any Adelaide University graduate research scholarship will only be approved if minimum conditions are met. These minimum conditions are as follows:
Individual Conditions of Award for graduate research scholarships outline the support available. These include stipend rates and periods of support, including scholarship extensions, provisions for paid and unpaid leave, undertaking work outside of the research program, arrangements for industry placements, research internships, professional practice and other enrichment activities.
Adelaide University reserves the right to not award or to withdraw a scholarship due to changed circumstances. These may include (but are not limited to) matters relating to visas, or compliance with legislative and guideline instruments including but not limited to those outlined in the Interim Foreign Compliance Policy and Procedure.
The Conditions of Award for RTP scholarships will be reviewed and maintained by Adelaide University in accordance with the requirements of the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines and are available on the scholarships website.
We will offer a range of strategic, project and merit-based scholarships for outstanding Graduate Research applicants including Australian Government Research Training Program scholarships.
Formal offers for our graduate research scholarships will be made by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation or their delegate. In awarding scholarships, we will consider matters such as the quality of supervision and supportive nature of the research environment to ensure the best possible graduate research student experience.
If there are changes to the candidature, such as a change of field of research, or attendance status, the scholarship will be adjusted accordingly, as outlined in the individual Conditions of Award.
Domestic graduate research students undertaking research degrees are provided an RTP fee offset from the Australian Government and are not required to pay tuition fees.
Every non-sponsored international graduate research student supported by an Adelaide University-administered major scholarship will receive a tuition fee waiver for their full candidature time.
Every graduate research student undertaking a joint award program is provided with a tuition fee waiver. Additional fee waivers may be approved by Deputy Vice Chancellor International and External Engagement or Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation or their delegate.
When a graduate research student holding a major scholarship of any type (including an Australian Government RTP Scholarship) transfers from another higher education provider, Adelaide University will not assume responsibility for existing scholarship payments unless in special circumstances as approved by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation or their delegate. The graduate research student will be required to apply for a graduate research scholarship at Adelaide University and will be considered based on our selection criteria along with all other applicants.
Adelaide University will monitor academic progress and may suspend or terminate a graduate research scholarship if academic progress is unsatisfactory or a graduate research student is in breach of any of the requirements or in response to a failure to comply with legislative acts or national security obligations, including UFIT Guidelines.
Graduate research applicants may appeal against decisions made in relation to scholarship applications on the grounds of administrative process only, as outlined in the Student Complaints Policy.
Graduate research students seeking to appeal decisions relating to termination of a graduate research scholarship, may do so under Adelaide University’s Student Complaints Resolution Procedure.
Graduate research student means students enrolled in graduate research programs, such as the Master of Research, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy. It does not include coursework programs with a research component, such as Honours.
Research Training Program (RTP) is a Commonwealth Government-funded program which provides block grants to Adelaide University on a yearly basis, to support domestic and international graduate research students undertaking a Higher Degree by Research program. Support is provided in the form of scholarships for RTP Stipends, RTP Fee Offsets and RTP Allowances.
Attendance status refers to whether the graduate research student is studying full-time or part-time.
Major scholarships refers to scholarships that provide a living allowance to support Graduate Research students and are offered primarily through the main scholarship rounds. Examples include Research Training Program scholarships and Adelaide University Research Scholarships or equivalent.
UFIT Guidelines stands for ‘University Foreign Interference Taskforce Guidelines to counter foreign interference in the Australian university sector’ (www.education.gov.au/guidelines-counter-foreign-interference-australian-university-sector/university-foreign-interference-taskforce).
Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.
This procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.
| Parent policy | Graduate Research Policy |
| Policy category | Academic |
| Approving authority | co-Vice Chancellors/Vice Chancellor and President |
| Policy owner | Deputy Vice Chancellor - Research and Innovation |
| Responsible officer | [tbc] |
| Effective from | Take-effect date |
| Review date | 3 years after date this version is approved |
| Enquiries | Interim Central Policy Unit |
| Replaced documents | None |
Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021
4.2 Research Training
| Date approved | To section/clauses | Description of change |
| 26.11.2024 | N/A | New procedure |
At the time of writing, the organisational structure, position titles and committees for Adelaide University have not been confirmed. Accordingly, square brackets [ ] temporarily enclose titles in this procedure until titles for Adelaide University are confirmed.
