Funding Guidelines 2008
PRSS Application dates for 2008
2 June, 2008: Applications open on myUNSW
7 July, 2008: Applications close
15 July, 2008: Summary of applications distributed to Faculties
29 July, 2008: Students advised of outcomes by GRS
1 August - 10 December, 2008: Receipts accepted for reimbursement
Objectives
The UNSW Postgraduate Research Student Support (PRSS) Scheme was introduced in 2007 to assist currently enrolled postgraduate research students to attend and present their research at local and international conferences. The Scheme provides successful applicants with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $3,000 each.
Eligibility
The following enrolled higher degree students are eligible to apply for funds in 2008:
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PhD students provided that they have completed at least two full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent) of enrolment as at 31 March 2008 and their candidature is on track for completion within eight full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent).
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Masters by Research students provided that they have completed at least two full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent) of enrolment as at 31 March 2008 and their candidature is on track for completion within four full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent).
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Masters of Philosophy students provided that they have completed at least two full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent) of enrolment as at 31 March 2008 and their candidature is on track for completion within three full-time semesters (or part-time equivalent).
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Applications will only be considered if the student has demonstrated satisfactory progress towards timely completion of their degree at their most recent Annual Progress Review held in the last twelve months.
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Applicants must be attending a conference and presenting a paper, poster or exhibition on their research work at the conference.
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The date of the conference must be between 1 January 2008 - 30 November 2008. Students may apply for funds to support costs for conferences that have already been attended since January 2008 providing the correct travel procedures have been followed and original receipts can be provided.
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Support for conferences in December can only be claimed under the 2009 PRSS scheme.
Funding
- Funding may be used to support conference expenses including registration, air-fare, travel, accommodation and living expenses.
- Eligible students may apply for a minimum amount of $500 and a maximum amount of $3,000.
Administration
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The Graduate Research School is responsible for administering the application process (via myUNSW.); for notifying applicants of Faculty decisions and for the reimbursement of funds.
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Faculties are responsible for allocating funds to students. Faculties must select eligible applicants on a competitive basis according to the University's PRSS guidelines.
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Faculties and schools may supplement PRSS funds to provide additional support to students.
Application Process
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Students must submit an online application via myUNSW.
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The online application must include the following information:
a) The name, location and dates of the conference
b) The status of the oral, poster or exhibition for presentation ie, whether it has been (i) accepted, (ii) submitted or (iii) is yet to be submitted
c) The date and result of the last annual progress review
d) The number of semesters of enrolment completed at 31 March 2008
e) Estimate of costs of conference and whether any funding has already been applied for or received from other sources (School/Faculty/Supervisor/Other)
f) A brief statement outlining the benefits to the applicant's candidature.
g) Any achievements related to the student's research (such as publications (in press or submitted), conference presentations or other achievements). A track record of achievement during candidature provides some indication of satisfactory progress during the candidature, however it is not a pre-requisite for a successful PRSS application.
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Applications will open on myUNSW on Monday 2 June, 2008. From this date, students can log onto myUNSW and click on the Postgraduate Research Student Support Scheme icon to access the online application form.
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Following the 7 July closing date, the Graduate Research School will provide each Faculty with a summary of applications.
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Faculties will consider applications on a competitive basis.
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The GRS will notify applicants of Faculty decisions from 29 July.
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Receipts will be accepted for reimbursement from 1 August until 10 December.
Travel Booking Process
All students travelling on UNSW business/conference, including those applying for PRSS funding, must follow the UNSW Travel Policy and Procedures:
- Create a travel profile.
- Check traveller health and safety requirements.
- Obtain verbal approval for travel from your supervisor and Head of School or delegated nominee.
- Obtain a quote from one or both of the UNSW preferred travel agents.
- Apply for official approval to travel.
- Reconfirm and book travel with one of the UNSW preferred agents.
Changes To Your Travel Arrangements
Amendments to travel arrangements after official approval, which will result in a significant change to your itinerary or additional costs (more than 10% above approved trip costs), require written authorisation from the original approver.
If you have been recommended for PRSS funds and the trip costs exceed the approved amount you will need to cover any excess yourself. Additional PRSS funds will not be allocated to you if your travel costs increase.
If you are using PRSS funds for your travel, you must contact the Graduate Research School prior to travel if:
- the conference you plan to attend is delayed or cancelled
- you would like to use your PRSS funds to attend a different conference than the one listed on your application form.
Accommodation Booking Process
Students are encouraged to contact the University's preferred travel agents to identify and book appropriate travel accommodation. Whenever possible travellers should take advantage of the University's negotiated preferred hotel arrangements available via our preferred travel agents.
Applicants may stay at the hotel hosting the conference. Direct bookings can be placed with sponsoring organisations if accommodation rates are less than those available via our preferred travel agents.
Accommodation such as backpackers and campus accommodation not available via the University's preferred travel agents can be booked directly by you without obtaining approval.
Payment of PRSS funds
The reimbursement period is from 01 August to 10 December 2008. PRSS funding cannot be given for claims submitted after the 10 December deadline.
If you have been successful in being awarded funds you will have been sent an email from the Graduate Research School on the 29th July 2008 to your UNSW student email account. You will need to download the
PRSS Information Sheet and Form to claim your reimbursment.
General Enquiries
Graduate Research School
Tel: +61 (02) 9385 5500
| This is a competitive application process. Depending on the number of applications received it may not be possible to support all applications. Preference may be given to students in years 3 and 4 of candidature i.e. students who will not be able to apply again next year. Please note that preference will be given to students who have not previously received PRSS funding. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the application process occur on an annual basis?
It is anticipated that a similar scheme will be offered again in 2009.
- Can I apply for 2008 PRSS funds for conferences held before or after 2008?
No, the date of the conference must be between 1 January 2008 - 30 November 2008.
- What if I want to apply for PRSS funds for a conference in December 2008?
The University annually closes off all UNSW accounts in December and therefore we are unable to provide funding to students who will be attending a conference in December under the 2008 PRSS scheme. However, these students will be able to apply for funding under the 2009 PRSS scheme.
- The conference I am hoping to attend will take place prior to when I am likely to find out whether I have been successful with my PRSS application. Can the application process be fast-tracked in order to allow me to make a decision regarding whether I can attend the conference prior to the conference being held?
The timeline is unable to be modified or fast-tracked. Therefore students may need to make a decision as to whether to attend the conference without knowing the outcome of their application. Students should discuss this with their supervisor. The GRS will notify successful recipients by no later than 29 July, 2008.
- I will be attending more than one conference this year. Can I submit more than one application for funding?
Applicants may only submit an application for one conference in any funding year.
- I received PRSS funding last year, am I eligible to apply again this year?
Applicants are eligible to apply for PRSS funding a second time providing they meet the eligibility criteria. However, as the application process is competitive the chances of success cannot be guaranteed and preference will be given to students who have not previously received PRSS funding.
- I have already made flight bookings through an independent travel agent, am I still eligible to apply for PRSS funding?
To be eligible for PRSS funding applicants must have followed the UNSW Travel policy guidelines and must have booked their travel through one of the UNSW preferred agents.
- I do not know the exact expenses regarding airfare, registration and accommodation - what should I do?
Students should attempt to obtain these cost details, however if this is not possible please provide well-researched estimate of the required amounts. Payments will be against actual costs,therefore receipts are required.
- I have a number of achievements which I wish to note in my application regarding 'achievements related to your research', but do not have enough space to list all the details. What should I do?
This is intended to be a brief summary of your achievements only. Please be succinct and use dot points and/or a summary of key achievements only.
- The website states that Faculties may give preference to year 3 and year 4 students as they will not be able to apply again next year. However, Masters by Research students are expected to complete within 4 semesters of full-time enrolment or equivalent. Does this mean that preference will be given to year 3 and 4 PhD students?
It is up to each Faculty to allocate funding for their students. Faculties will decide their priorities if there more applications than funding available.
- I have already submitted my thesis but it is still under examination and I am still enrolled as a student. Am I eligible to apply for the PRSS conference funding?
No, students who have submitted their thesis are ineligible to apply for PRSS funds to attend a conference.
- Can I apply for PRSS funds for travel expenses for overseas field work or research seminars or to attend a Summer School?
No, this scheme is only open to students presenting their research at conferences.
- I am a practicum student - am I eligible to apply for PRSS funding?
No, practicum students are not eligible to apply for the PRSS scheme.
- Are students who are on leave of absence eligible to apply for PRSS funding?
Students who are on leave of absence for the whole year are not eligible, but those who are on approved leave for only one semester are eligible to apply.
