Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Program Objectives

The Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (Endeavour IPRS) program was established to maintain and develop international research linkages and specifically aims to:

1. 1.

   attract top quality international postgraduate students to areas of research strength in the Australian higher education sector; and

2. 2.

   support Australia's research effort.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an Endeavour IPRS, a student must:

1. 1.

   be an international student; and

2. 2.

   meet international student visa requirements as specified by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) including the requirement to purchase and maintain a standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy approved by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing; and

3. 3.

   be commencing full-time enrolment in a postgraduate research degree program (HDR)

4. 4.

   be undertaking study in a subject area identified by the University as one of its areas of research strength; and

5. 5.

   not be upgrading from Masters by research to research Doctoral candidature;

6. 6.

   not hold a research qualification regarded by the University to be equivalent to an Australian Research Doctorate degree or, if undertaking a Research Masters degree, not hold a research qualification regarded by the University to be equivalent to or higher than an Australian Research Masters degree; and

7. 7.

   not have held an Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) scholarship within the two years prior to commencing the Endeavour IPRS; and

8. 8.

   not be receiving a scholarship for which course tuition is a component under any other scholarship scheme to which the Australian Government makes a substantial contribution; and

9. 9.

   not previously have received an Endeavour IPRS for a Research Doctorate degree, unless converting to a Research Masters degree under paragraph 4. of these Guidelines; and

10. 10.

    not previously have received an Endeavour IPRS for a Research Masters degree, unless that degree was completed and the student is immediately undertaking a Research Doctorate degree.

Value of Scholarship

The maximum value of an Endeavour IPRS in a year is equal to:

1. 1.

   the estimated annual course cost, as specified in the CRICOS, for the HDR being undertaken by the student; plus

2. 2.

   the cost of a standard Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy approved by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing and which covers the student and their spouse and dependants (if any) for the period of the Endeavour IPRS.

Duration of Scholarship

The duration of an Endeavour IPRS is three years for Research Doctorate degrees and two years for Research Masters degrees.

The duration of an Endeavour IPRS will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken:

1. 1.

   towards the course of study prior to the commencement of the Endeavour IPRS; and

2. 2.

   during suspension of the Endeavour IPRS.

Conditions of Scholarship

Suspension of an Endeavour IPRS

A student may apply to the University for a suspension of their Endeavour IPRS. The approval of suspensions will be at the discretion of the University.

Transfer to another University

If a student in receipt of an Endeavour IPRS transfers to another university, the scholarship may be transferred with the student in exceptional circumstances only.

Students may continue to receive an Endeavour IPRS only if JCU supports the student’s transfer and the new University agrees to continue the Endeavour IPRS.

Change of University does not constitute sufficient grounds for a subsequent extension of the Endeavour IPRS.

Conversion of Degrees

IPRS holders may convert from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree or from a Research Doctorate degree to a Research Masters degree and continue to receive their Endeavour IPRS.

The maximum duration of a converted Endeavour IPRS becomes that for the new research degree (minus periods of study undertaken towards the related degree prior to the conversion).

Change of Research Area

The University may approve a student's request to change from the research area indicated in the original placement or Endeavour IPRS offer, providing:

1. 1.

   the new research area is one of the University’s areas of research strength; and

2. 2.

   there will be no extension of the duration of the Endeavour IPRS arising from the change of research area beyond the period of the original placement or Endeavour IPRS offer, including any previously approved extensions. The only exception is where the change of research area results from circumstances relating to the research which are outside the control of the student and the University.

Paid Employment

Other than work that is specified as a course requirement, a student with a student visa may undertake work unrelated to their course requirements consistent with the conditions of the student visa. The student must obtain the approval of the University prior to undertaking such work. The University may not approve a student undertaking work unless it is satisfied that the work will not interfere with the student’s study program. Normally a maximum of eight hours per week will be permitted.

Work commitments cannot be accepted as grounds for an extension of the duration of the Endeavour IPRS.

Termination of an Endeavour IPRS

The University will terminate an Endeavour IPRS:

1. 1.

   if the student ceases to meet the eligibility criteria specified above, other than during a period in which the Endeavour IPRS has been suspended; or

2. 2.

   once the maximum duration of the Endeavour IPRS has been reached; or

3. 3.

   on completion of the course of study; or

4. 4.

   if the University determines that:

1. a.

   the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence; or

2. b.

   the student has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress; or

3. c.

   the student has committed serious academic misconduct.