The UQ Summer Research Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students who are engaged in research internships over the summer vacation period. Research internships provide students with the opportunity to work with a researcher in a formal research environment so that they may experience the research process and discover what research is being undertaken in their field of interest at UQ. In addition, some students may qualify to receive a scholarship for the duration of their internship. Allocation of the scholarships is decided by the faculty, school, research centre or institute where the research is undertaken.

The UQ Summer Research Scholarship Program is open to:

• undergraduate and masters by coursework students who have not previously received a summer research scholarship from the Science Faculty;
• who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree at an Australian, or international University*; and
• who are completing the second (completed a minimum of #24) , third or honours year of a full-time undergraduate degree program or close to completing their postgraduate by coursework study*.

Students can only receive this scholarship once through the Faculty of Science.
 

The UQ Summer Research Scholarship Program is offered by a number of schools, research centres and institutes during the summer vacation period (mid-November to mid-February). You can find a list of available science projects here: 

• SummerScholarshipProjectList-2011.pdf

You can find a list of the Schools and Centres that form part of the Faculty of Science here: http://www.science.uq.edu.au/schools-centres.  You should discuss your application with potential supervisors in the area of your interest or the contact person listed, for full details of program length and activities. Some areas may have detailed lists of specific projects available over summer, while you may have to directly contact other areas regarding available projects. 

You can find links to the websites of participating UQ units here:

• http://www.uq.edu.au/undergraduate/summer-research

Research internships provide:

• supervision by outstanding researchers;
• access to world class facilities and experiences that you may not have been exposed to;
• the possibility of obtaining credit towards your degree. Not all study areas will offer the summer program for credit, please refer to specific study area for further information.  Recognition towards degree requirements is also subject to the degree rules and structure of your program. Applicants should seek academic advice from their faculty or home institution regarding recognition for summer research internship studies); and
• students who qualify for a Research Scholarship will also receive a weekly allowance of $300, paid jointly by the Office of Undergraduate Education and the participating school, research centre or institute. The weekly allowance is not normally paid during periods away from the University.

In addition to these benefits, non-UQ students based outside Brisbane who qualify for a Research Scholarship * may be provided with:

• a contribution towards travel expenses to and from Brisbane, based on economy rail fares at student concession rates (or, for international students or students from more distant parts of Australia, economy-class airfares), to a maximum of $150; and
• accommodation and all meals at a residential college on campus. Accommodation will be provided for a maximum of 9 weeks (i.e. 8 weeks during the summer semester period and including the one week Christmas break). Any extension to the accommodation requirements will be at the expense of the student.

What will be my time commitment and obligations?

The period of tenure of the UQ Summer Research Scholarship Program will be for 8 weeks, unless otherwise specified, generally commencing in November/December and concluding in February. The contact officer for your research area will be able to provide details on the starting dates and expected workload. The research period is normally broken into two parts to allow for the Christmas break when the University is closed. The weekly allowance is not paid during periods away from the University and will only be paid for a maximum of 8 weeks. The research scholar and the supervisor will negotiate the start and end dates of the project and the workload requirements based on both of their schedules.
Summer research scholars are expected to participate in an ongoing research project or to undertake a substantial piece of supervised research work. Where appropriate to the project, additional discipline/project specific obligations may also be required, such as training in research safety and ethics.  Please refer to specific study area for further details.

* Not all areas will offer placements to non-UQ enrolled students, refer to specific research area for further information.

To apply, students need to:

• Choose a project from the study/research/discipline areas available.
• Liaise with the academic/ supervisor in your preferred field of research before submitting an application. This will allow you to obtain more information about project availability and suitability.
• Gain tentative supervisor approval for involvement in your nominated project and have them attach their electronic signature the relevant section of your application or send email confirmation. Note that supervisor approval for the purpose of application is tentative and not binding. It does not imply success of scholarship application, nor aguaranteed place in the program, or in any particular project.
• Submit your completed application form and supporting documentation to the Faculty of Science by 5pm 30 August 2010.
• If you receive a letter of offer of scholarship, respond by the due date.
• If you choose to enrol in a discipline-specific research course to gain credit towards your degree program, you will need to submit a separate application form to the relevant school (see further details below in 'Will I receive recognition towards undergraduate degree requirements?')

Applicants should submit the entire application package electronically comprised of:

• Application Form in one file named as follows Smith_John_UQ_SRS_Program_Application_Form_2010-2011. Simply add your name to the front of the document title, and with the following attachments in one file.
• Email confirmation from your supervisor if form not electronically signed (copy/paste)

Studies Report/Unofficial Academic Transcript for non-UQ students

Applications will be assessed by theFaculty of Science. Scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis taking into account:

• the availability of projects and supervisors;
• the academic merit of the applicant;

Who is the relevant contact officer?

For information about the administration of the scholarship program, please direct enquiries to: science.enquiries@uq.edu.au or phone: (07) 3365 1888
It is highly recommended that you liaise with the academic or supervisor in your area of interest before applying for an internship, to discuss the suitability and availability of projects and to obtain specific information about project activities and eligibility requirements.

* Not all areas will offer placements to non-UQ enrolled students, refer to specific research area for further information.

Will accommodation be provided?

Summer Research scholars who are not enrolled at UQ, and reside outside of Brisbane*, may be provided with accommodation and two meals a day at one of the residential colleges on campus. Those with special dietary needs are required to provide this information when accepting their Summer Research Scholarship. College residents are expected to conform to the normal standards of social behaviour required by the residential college. The decision whether to meet the cost of accommodation is entirely at the discretion of the university.

Will my travel expenses be subsidised?

A contribution to the cost of return travel to Brisbane from within Australia and from New Zealand of a maximum of $150 may be included for successful Summer Research Scholarship recipients *. This contribution will be at the discretion of the University and will include:

• the contribution towards return fares based upon economy rail fares to Brisbane, at student concession rates by the most direct route; or
• the contribution may be based upon the cost of an economy-class air fare by the most direct route at student or other concessional rates from approved locations;
• any additional costs incurred through amending a booking, or missing a flight are to be met by the student.

If a research internship is terminated prior to the student beginning the research program period, the University will not be liable for any costs, and if terminated during the research program period the University will have sole discretion to determine if any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

What is the weekly allowance?

Students who qualify for a Summer Research Scholarship will receive an allowance equivalent to $300 per week, paid jointly by the Office of Undergraduate Education and the participating Faculty, School, Centre or Institute. The weekly allowance is not normally paid during periods away from the University, such as during the Christmas break. For scholarship recipients in the Faculty of Science, this allowance is paid in one lump sun at the commencement of your project. No further payments will be made regardless of whether the project is extended beyond 8 weeks.

Will I receive recognition towards undergraduate degree requirements?

Applicants should seek academic advice from their faculty or home institution regarding recognition possible from any research internship studies.  Recognition available will depend on the program offered by the study area, as well as the undergraduate degree program being undertaken by the student and its program rules and structure. Where credit is available, students will be required to enrol in a UQ course.Faculty of Science students may be eligible to enrol in an appropriate research project course, according to their discipline (see the list below).  To enrol in one of these courses, permission must be obtained from the appropriate School according to discipline.  Students will generally be required to submit an application including project and supervisor details.  Each course has its own application form which can be found on the course profile or by contacting the appropriate school.  Non-UQ students may be eligible to enrol in one of these courses for credit to their home institute by first completing a cross-institutional study application.

• SCIE3210 Research Topic in Geographical Science
• SCIE3221 Biomedical Science Research Project
• SCIE3231 Research Project II in Geological Sciences
• SCIE3241 Special Project in Biology
• SCIE3251 Introduction to Research in Mathematics/Physics
• SCIE3261 Introduction to Research in Chemistry, Biochemistry & Microbiology (B)  

What are the taxation and Austudy implications?

It is the responsibility of all scholarship recipients to make their own enquiries and seek independent advice regarding tax liability or impact on Austudy payments arising from receipt of this scholarship. Educational scholarship benefits are not usually regarded as income in determining the level of Austudy benefits. Please visit the Centrelink website for further information as it relates to your particular circumstances:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/exempt_equity.htm

Scholarships / stipends will be tax free to the student provided that they are:

• a full-time student;
• enrolled at a University;
• not employed or about to be employed by the University;
• not wholly or principally providing labour in return for the scholarship / stipend;
• not required to provide any services in the University in the future under the terms;
• provided the scholarship / stipend principally for educational purposes.

If any of these conditions are not met, it will be taxable to the student and PAYG will need to be withheld by the University.

Applicants should seek academic advice from their faculty or home institution regarding recognition possible from any research internship studies.  Recognition available will depend on the program offered by the study area, as well as the undergraduate degree program being undertaken by the student and its program rules and structure. Where credit is available, students will be required to enrol in a UQ course.Faculty of Science students may be eligible to enrol in an appropriate research project course, according to their discipline (see the list below).  To enrol in one of these courses, permission must be obtained from the appropriate School according to discipline.  Students will generally be required to submit an application including project and supervisor details.  Each course has its own application form which can be found on the course profile or by contacting the appropriate school.  Non-UQ students may be eligible to enrol in one of these courses for credit to their home institute by first completing a cross-institutional study application.

• SCIE3210 Research Topic in Geographical Science
• SCIE3221 Biomedical Science Research Project
• SCIE3231 Research Project II in Geological Sciences
• SCIE3241 Special Project in Biology
• SCIE3251 Introduction to Research in Mathematics/Physics
• SCIE3261 Introduction to Research in Chemistry, Biochemistry & Microbiology (B)  

What are the taxation and Austudy implications?

It is the responsibility of all scholarship recipients to make their own enquiries and seek independent advice regarding tax liability or impact on Austudy payments arising from receipt of this scholarship. Educational scholarship benefits are not usually regarded as income in determining the level of Austudy benefits. Please visit the Centrelink website for further information as it relates to your particular circumstances:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/exempt_equity.htm

Scholarships / stipends will be tax free to the student provided that they are:

• a full-time student;
• enrolled at a University;
• not employed or about to be employed by the University;
• not wholly or principally providing labour in return for the scholarship / stipend;
• not required to provide any services in the University in the future under the terms;
• provided the scholarship / stipend principally for educational purposes.

If any of these conditions are not met, it will be taxable to the student and PAYG will need to be withheld by the University.

International and New Zealand citizens in Australia as summer research scholars, are encouraged to have a travel insurance policy before they arrive in Australia. Medical and hospital insurance associated with travel insurance can be arranged before leaving home, or obtained from Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) after arrival in Brisbane. Proof of cover may be required.

Domestic students who are required to travel to Brisbane to participate in the program are advised to take out an appropriate travel insurance policy if they wish to be covered against any travel risks. All UQ Summer Research scholars should note that they will only be covered by the University’s public liability insurance to the extent that an accident occurs at the University for which the University is at fault.

What if the research project/period is terminated early?
The University reserves the right to terminate a scholarship at any time and at the University’s sole discretion if the conduct of the Summer Research Scholar is deemed to be unsatisfactory, or if ill-health seriously interferes with the research. If a scholarship is terminated for any reason prior to commencement of the scholarship period, the University will not be liable for any costs, and if terminated during the scholarship period, the University will at its sole discretion determine if any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.