1. Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to transparently communicate to applicants the selection criteria and scoring matrix used to assess Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarships at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC).
UniSC awards several HDR scholarships through competitive selection rounds each year. The opening and closing dates are published on the UniSC website.
Applicants are expected to refer to this document and to the relevant HDR scholarship advertisement on the UniSC website when preparing their application.
The HDR Scholarships Selection Panel will use these Guidelines to assess HDR scholarship applications.
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 (HDR) program at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
2.1 Research Training Program Scholarship selection criteria
2.1.1 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:
- the student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an HDR program at UniSC;
- 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.
UniSC does not apply any additional eligibility criteria to Research Training Program scholarships. The following sections on Selection Criteria and Priority for Award detail how RTP scholarship applications are assessed for award at UniSC.
2.2 UniSC Research Scholarship eligibility criteria
2.2.1 Principal Supervisors/Chief Investigators of UniSC RS scholarships may have additional eligibility criteria to the RTP Scholarship eligibility criteria: refer to the published advertisement on the HDR scholarships website for specific scholarship eligibility criteria.
3. Selection Criteria
3.1 Research Training Program Scholarship selection 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.
3.1.1 Criterion 1 – Research Project and Environment
Weight | 25% |
What is the purpose? | Assess the quality of the research project and environment. |
Who should respond to this criterion? | Student with input from their Supervision panel |
What information should be included on the response to this selection criterion? | List the Project title. Describe the proposed program of research in non-technical language. Describe how the project integrates into a defined area of research at UniSC including research priorities of the School/Centre/Institute Detail the expected impacts of the proposed research Provide the details of resource requirements and available funding for this project to demonstrate feasibility. Describe any potential connections with industry or other external collaborations |
3.1.2 Criterion 2 – Research Capability
Weight | 25% |
What is the purpose? | Assess evidence of research preparedness and capability |
Who should respond to this criterion? | Student applying for scholarship |
What information should be included on the response to this selection criterion? | Describe your relevant previous research, clinical and industry experience and explain how this makes you suitably qualified for the proposed project. Provide details of research outputs and your contribution across: Research Publications (include impact factor full citation and DOI link to each publication) Research Presentations/Conferences Research Internship/volunteering experience if application Evidence of creative works if applicable |
Points to note | Evidence of research output must be provided in English If the applicant does not provide enough information the publication will not be assessed |
3.1.3 Criterion 3 – Academic Achievement
Weight | 25% |
What is the purpose? | Assess the quality of the candidate's academic performance. |
Who should respond to this criterion? | Student applying for scholarship |
What information should be included on the response to this selection criterion? | Details of undergraduate degree/s. If applicable, specify the class of Honours and research topic Details of postgraduate degree/s specifically evidence of research components Specify the cumulative/final grade point average for all degrees listed List any academic awards and/or prizes, particularly those related to research courses/and or activities If already enrolled in a HDR program at UniSC comment on progress to date |
3.1.4 Criterion 4 – Supervision Team and Professional Development
Weight | 25% |
What is the purpose? | Assess the quality of advisory team including record of successful supervision, appropriate advisory load, complementary expertise. |
Who should respond to this criterion? | Supervision panel |
What information should be included on the response to this selection criterion? | Describe how the student/project will be supported by the supervisory team in terms of mentoring, supporting candidate development, time allocated to the project, supervisor expertise and capacity (i.e., the amount of time and resources that the supervisor can allocate). |
3.2 UniSC Research Scholarship Selection Criteria
Project specific HDR scholarships may have additional or varied selection criteria to what is listed in section 3.1.1-3.1.4. Always refer to the published advertisement on the UniSC website for specific scholarship criteria.
4 Priority for award
4.1 In the competitive selection process, UniSC may give priority to students who:
4.1.1 are enrolling in an HDR for the first time,
4.1.2 have not previously completed a Research Degree to the same Australian Qualifications Framework level.,
4.1.3 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.
4.1.4 have not previously been awarded, or currently be in receipt of, a scholarship stipend or other scholarship designed to offset HDR fees for a degree at the same Australian Qualification Framework level.
4.2 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.
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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