Please Note: Funding for the Research Degree International Travel Grants: Student Mobility is placed on hold due to COVID-19 travel and budgeting restrictions for 2020 and 2021.
As part of UniSA's internationalisation strategy, Graduate Research (GR), Student and Academic Services (SAS), 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
- Visas, insurance, health and safety
- Recreational travel
- Restrictions
- Reporting requirements
Purpose
The purpose of the grant is to provide the opportunity for research degree students to gain an international perspective that enhances their research experience and improves their thesis by providing the opportunity to undertake research or work with world class institutional or industry partners in overseas locations, additional data collection and presenting their research.
Whilst overseas, a research degree student 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 world-class institutions or industry partners
- overseas field trips for the purpose of data collection that enhances the thesis (eg. produces a paper as a result)
- presenting a refereed conference paper
- collaborating for the purpose of research partnerships, such as co-authoring a refereed journal article.
Note: Travel for the purpose of data collection may only be included where it 'enhances' the research project but not where the data collection is 'central' to the research project. The travel grant should not be relied upon to ensure the required data collection for the research project can be undertaken. The travel grant will not solely be awarded for presenting a refereed conference paper; it must also include collaborations with institutions or industry partners.
Are you eligible?
These travel grants are available to research degree students, who are undertaking a Doctoral degree (PhD or Research Professional Doctorate) at the University of South Australia.
The applicant:
- must be currently enrolled at the University of South Australia for a Doctoral degree and be in their second or early third year of candidacy (or an equivalent period part-time)
- should ensure they have completed and had their research proposal accepted and have the appropriate ethics and/or safety clearances
- must be making satisfactory progress and is likely to complete their degree within the required timeframe
- 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.
Research Degree International Travel Grants are very competitive and shortlisted applications will be presented to a selection panel for assessment, based on:
- meeting eligibility criteria
- demonstrated capacity for independent research and intention to publish
- the content of the application
- the financial resources available to the applicant
- the support of the Supervisor and approval by the Dean of Research (or equivalent)
- the overseas institution where the candidate will be researching
- confirmation of funds to be provided by the division/institute/school/centre
- alignment of proposed research with the transformed PhD.
Value of the grant
The total grant will be funded jointly between Student and Academic Services (SAS) through the Student Mobility Implementation fund, and the Division/School/Institute in which the student is enrolled.
The total value of the grant will normally be up to $5,000 towards travel and living expenses. SAS will provide up to a maximum of $3,000, with the Division/School/Institute to provide up to a maximum of $2,000. The selection panel reserves the right to change any variations on the maximum amount and will be reviewed on a needs basis.
Research degree students will need to provide a budget to indicate the cost of the travel. It is the expectation of the selection panel that any gap in funding from the amount requested and the travel grant contribution will be met by funds available to the supervisory panel.
Method of payment
Successful applicants are paid the full grant directly to the nominated bank account.
Number of grants available
It is anticipated that approximately 10 grants per year will be funded.
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. If a candidate wants to apply for less the 6 weeks a clear explanation for this request must be included in the application.
Tips for a successful application
Ensure you check your eligibility and address all criteria.
You should show how the International Travel Grant will support:
- productive collaborative research with a world-class international partner or institution, or with which UniSA has an agreement
- opportunities to produce a refereed paper as a result of the international visit
- presenting a refereed conference paper
- 'Jointly supervised PhDs'
- the enhancement of the University's reputation.
You will need to clearly outline how your research aligns with the transformed PhD
You will be more competitive if you have formal written approval from the institution of your proposed visit at time of application.
It is ideal that ethics approval (if required) is approved at time of application. You will need to provide a clear explanation of why ethics is either not required or has not yet been approved in your application.
Your Principal Supervisor should provide a comprehensive report addressing all the criteria (including how the research aligns with the transformed PhD) and indicating any additional funding support.
Ensure that you are not applying where travel is to support the core part of your PhD, this scheme is to enhance the PhD.
Evidence of end user engagement with a full supervisory panel will also strengthen your application.
How to apply and closing dates
Please refer to Are you eligible? for the criteria you will need to address in your application.
Application form
Successful applicants will be advised by email within one month of the closing date.
- Travel grant application form (word document 60KB)
Please note: sections to be completed by the student, principal supervisor, director of institute and Dean of Research (or delegate).
Closing dates
Applications must be lodged with the division/institute research office no later than:
- 23 February for grants to be taken between July and December
- 30 June for grants to be taken between January and June of the following year
Visas, insurance, health and safety
Research degree students must arrange their own health and personal travel insurance and appropriate visas.
Use of the UniSA Travel Team for bookings is strongly recommended.
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.
Research degree students must also:
- ensure that they take account of health and travel warnings in the country of travel, with reference to the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade Smartraveller website
- arrange their own vaccinations
- comply with the University's Travel Policies and Procedures
- Register all travel plans with International SOS via completion of a Business Travel Request (‘BTR’) form (mandatory)
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, in consultation with their school/institute.
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. Contact the Department of Immigration for details.
Reporting requirements
On return to UniSA, research degree students must provide a brief report describing the work undertaken to research.students@unisa.edu.au.
This report is also required to specify how grant funds were utilised.
