La Trobe Flexible Research Scholarship (FLEX) - candidates with disabilities

$33500
Per annum for three and a half years, and up to 18 month extension for doctoral candidates. Fee relief additional.

26/08/2022

31/10/2022

Open

Future graduate researchers, Future PhD candidates, Graduate researchers, Australian Citizen, International Student, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident

Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus

Fortnightly stipend. Allowances to be claimed as required.

In order to maximise opportunities for students with disabilities to study higher degrees by research, La Trobe University is offering the Flexible Research Scholarship to eligible applicants with disabilities. This scholarship provides individually tailored support, providing a longer period of time for completion of a graduate research degree and payment of a stipend, extended periods of leave of absence, and provide access to additional funding for research related costs associated with having a disability.

Applications are open to all graduate researchers, including new applicants and currently enrolled researchers. Applications for this scholarship are now open and close on 30 September for international applicants and 31 October for domestic applicants.

• a research support allowance of up to $3,000 per annum for research related costs associated with a disability, including for example costs for Auslan interpreters or personal attendant care for conferences.
• candidature extended for up to an additional 12 months (FTE) for doctoral candidates, or up to 6 months (FTE) for Masters by research candidates (subject to visa conditions and approvals for international candidates).
• a tuition fee scholarship to cover the above period of extended candidature.
• stipend extended for up to 18 months (FTE) for doctoral candidates, and up to 8 months (FTE) for Masters by research candidates.
• an aggregated total of up to 24 months leave of absence (subject to visa conditions and approvals for international candidates).

The FLEX scholarship is awarded in conjunction with a research Training Program (RTP) stipend or a La Trobe Graduate Research Scholarship (LTGRS) stipend and La Trobe Full Fee Research Scholarship (LTUFFRS). Candidates who have already been awarded an RTP or LTGRS stipend may apply for the FLEX scholarship and will receive the above benefits.

Candidates who have not already been awarded an RTP or LTGRS/ LTUFFRS will also receive the following:

• a Research Training Program (RTP) or La Trobe Graduate Research Scholarship (LTGRS) stipend for up to three and a half (3.5) years for a doctoral degree or 22 months for a Masters by research degree, with a value of $33,500 per annum (2023 rate).
• a Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scholarship or La Trobe Full Fee Research scholarship (LTUFFRS) for up to four years for a doctoral degree or two years for a Masters by research.
• relocation allowance and thesis/publication allowance.

Read more

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

• meet the entrance requirements for the proposed course .
• not be receiving another scholarship greater than 75 per cent of the stipend rate for the same purpose.
• The candidate has a disability that is attributable to one or more intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical impairments or to one or more impairments attributable to a psychiatric condition; and

(a) the impairment or impairments are, or are likely to be, permanent; and

(b) the impairment or impairments result in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake, or psychosocial functioning in undertaking, one or more of the following activities:

(c) the above may be demonstrated through provision of medical information or evidence that the applicant is a participant in the NDIS.

• The candidate’s disability has a demonstrable impact on the pace at which they are able to study that means additional time is required for completion beyond the standard candidature provisions.

In selecting successful applicants, we prioritise applications from candidates who:

• will be undertaking their research at a La Trobe University campus
• for doctoral research scholarships, have completed a Masters by Research or other significant body of research, such as lead authorship of a research thesis or peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 70 or above
• for Masters by research scholarships, have attained the equivalent of at least a high honours 2A grade degree at an Australian university or equivalent from a recognised overseas university

How to apply

New applicants:

To apply for this scholarship, review the scholarship eligibility requirements above and then follow the steps given on our How to apply page for your proposed course. Indicate on the application form that you wish to be considered for the FLEX scholarship.

You should email the following confidential documentation directly to [email protected] for consideration:

• evidence of your disability (eg a medical certificate or NDIS participant details) AND
• a statement outlining the impact of your disability on the pace at which you can study and why you need additional time for completion beyond the standard candidature provisions (max 500 words)

Currently enrolled candidates, or candidates who have received an offer of candidature but are yet to commence:

Email [email protected] to request a copy of the Scholarship Application form to submit an application for the FLEX scholarship. Once you submit the application form you should email the following confidential documentation directly to [email protected] for consideration:

• evidence of your disability (eg a medical certificate or NDIS participant details) AND
• a statement outlining the impact of your disability on the pace at which you can study and why you need additional time for completion beyond the standard candidature provisions (max 500 words)

[email protected] for queries, Send supporting documentation directly to [email protected]