1. Purpose

1.1 The purpose of these guidelines is to transparently communicate to applicants the selection criteria and scoring matrix (Appendix A) used to assess Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarships at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC).

1.2 UniSC awards several HDR scholarships through competitive selection rounds each year. The opening and closing dates are published on the UniSC website.

1.3 Applicants are expected to refer to this document and to the relevant HDR scholarship advertisement on the UniSC website when preparing their application.

1.4 The HDR Scholarships Selection Panel will use these Guidelines to assess HDR scholarship applications.

1.5 These Guidelines must be read in conjunction with the Research Training Program Scholarships – Academic Policy, the Higher Degree by Research Scholarships – Procedures, and the Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025.

2. Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must be accepted into a Higher Degrees by Research program at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

2.1 In accordance with the Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025, a student must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Research Training Program support: 

1. the student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an HDR program at UniSC;  
2. To be eligible for a RTP Fees Offset, a student must not be receiving an equivalent award or scholarship from the Commonwealth designed to offset HDR fees.

3. Selection

3.1 In the competitive selection process, UniSC may give priority to students who:

(a) are enrolling in an HDR for the first time,

(b) have not previously completed a Research Doctorate or equivalent,

(c) have not previously completed a Research Masters degree or equivalent, unless intending to undertake a Research Doctorate,

(d) have not previously held an Australian Postgraduate Award, Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) or an Australian Government-funded Postgraduate Research Award (excluding an IPRS or International RTP Fees Offset Scholarship) previously unless it was terminated within six months of the commencement of benefits,

(e) have not previously been awarded, or currently be in receipt of, a scholarship stipend or other scholarship designed to offset HDR fees.

(f) Stipend recipients are expected to prioritise their study and enrol on a full-time basis. Part-time study will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances such as medical reasons or carer’s responsibilities. Part-time applicants may apply but will be required to change to full-time study load upon commencement of the scholarship unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.

(g) for Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship recipients must not be in receipt of an equivalent award, scholarship or salary related to their course of study that provides a benefit greater than 75% of the annual RTP stipend rate at the time of award. Income unrelated to the student’s course of study or income received for the student’s course of study but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs is not to be taken into account.

4. Criteria

Each selection criteria will be weighted according to the percentage listed. The scoring matrix used by the HDR scholarship selection panel can be downloaded under Appendix A of this document.

4.2 Criterion 1 – Academic achievement

4.3 Criterion 2 – Research capability

4.4 Criterion 3 – Research project and environment

4.5 Criterion 4 – Supervision team

4.6 Additional for project-specific HDR scholarships

Project specific HDR scholarships may have additional or varied selection criteria to what is listed here. Always refer to the published advertisement on the UniSC website for specific scholarship criteria.

5. Authorities and responsibilities

5.1 As the Approval Authority, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) approves these guidelines to support the Higher Degree by Research Scholarships - Procedures and operationalise the Research Training Program Scholarships – Academic Policy.

5.2 As the Designated Officer the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development can approve associated documents to support the application of these guidelines.

5.3 These guidelines operate from the last amended date, with all previous iterations of guidelines on Higher Degrees by Research Scholarship Awarding replaced and no longer operating from this date.

5.4 All records relating to the Higher Degrees by Research Scholarship Awarding must be stored and managed in accordance with the Records Management - Procedures.

5.5 These guidelines must be maintained in accordance with the University Policy Documents - Procedures and reviewed on standard 3 year policy review cycle.

5.6 Any exception to these guidelines to enable a more appropriate result must be approved in accordance with the University Policy Documents – Procedures prior to any deviation from these guidelines.

5.7 Refer to Schedule C of the Delegations Manual in relation to the approved delegations and authorisations detailed within these guidelines.

6. Appendices and supporting documents

Appendix A: Higher Degree by Research Scholarships - Scoring Matrix

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