Funding

A variety of scholarships and prizes are available to HDR students within the School of Communication and Arts. The values, requirements, and application procedures of these awards vary greatly, and students are urged to determine those most appropriate to their plans and achievements. Additional information on UQ HDR scholarships can be found on the Graduate School Website. 

Please view some featured School specific HDR schoalrships below. 


The Alfred Midgley Postgraduate Scholarship 

Established in 2010, the purpose of this scholarship is to support a research higher degree student (MPhil or PhD) engaged in research in the field of Australian literature working in the School.  It was established by a bequest from the estate of Zoe Ann Burnett, in memory of her grandfather the late Dr Alfred Midgley.  Dr Midgley contributed to many aspects of early Queensland life.  He was a member of the ninth Queensland parliament, an early published Queensland poet, and a minister in the Methodist Church. Zoe Ann Burnett graduated in Arts from The University of Queensland in 1948 and was awarded a Master of Literary Studies in 1989.

The amount of the scholarship will be $6000 per annum for a maximum of three years. One or more scholarships may be awarded each year, on the recommendation of the Head of School.


The Cecilie Anne Sloane Postgraduate English Creative Writing Research Scholarship 

Established in 2006, the Sloane Scholarship was established in memory of a former tutor and lecturer in the English Department, Cecilie Anne Sloane.  It is maintained by the income of a perpetual endowment fund set up by a bequest from Ron and Helen Diamond.  The scholarship takes the form of a $2000 MPhil/PhD top-up scholarship for the best Creative Writing candidate to be confirmed each year and is intended to assist the student whose project shows the greatest promise in both its creative and critical components, and whose application outlines a legitimate use for the funds to support the successful completion of the research higher degree.

Confirmed MPhil and PhD candidates are invited to apply in October each year.

 


The Helen Kay PhD Scholarship 

Established in 2001, this scholarship commemorates the work and life of a promising young scholar of Australian literature, life writing and the environment, Helen Kay.  Helen was a postgraduate research student who died in 1999 while completing her degree in the School.  The Helen Kay scholarship is a completion scholarship which offers a three month stipend to assist a PhD student in the School to complete their degree.  Donations from Marie and Alf Berry established the scholarship in memory of their grand-daughter with the School providing matching funding. 

Applications must be submitted to the HDR Administrative Officer by the due date.  

The scholarship may not be held concurrently with another award.  


 Find additional PhD Scholarships

School of Communication and Arts 2024 Research Funding Policy

Eligibility

Full-time HDR students may apply for the following funding support:

  • MPhil up to $2000.00 during the first two years (or part-time equivalent) of active candidature;
  • PhD up to $4000.00 during the first four years (or part-time equivalent)  of active candidature.

Prior to confirmation, students may only avail themselves of 25% of their conference and research travel funding. Where a student converts from MPhil to PhD the total amount able to be applied for over the entire active candidature will be that applicable to a PhD, viz $4000.00.

MPhil students whose program has exceeded two years and PhD students whose program has exceeded four years may not apply for funding. Application and use of these funds is restricted to these program periods.


Funding

Funding can be used to present work at academic conferences, to conduct fieldwork and to support research training. Candidates should use approximately two-thirds of the funding to attend domestic or international conferences where they present peer-reviewed papers. It is strongly recommended by the School that candidates attend at least one mainstream disciplinary conference over the period of their candidature. Funding requests for other research-related items will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but must be accompanied by a memo (supported by the HDR student advisor) to the HDR Director justifying the request for support as it relates to the student’s degree program. Funding will not cover costs towards the purchase of any equipment. Any associated tax invoices and receipts should be retained as you may be requested to substantiate any funding claims. Students whose travel includes a personal component of 50% or more of the total absence may only apply for 50% of the allocation. This applies for all travel whether funded by the School or covered under a research grant etc. Please note the level of annual funding forms part of the School’s overall budget. As such there is no guarantee that funds will be available. Applications should be made as early as possible.


Application

Applicants are asked to plan ahead and submit their application form as early as possible as funds can be exhausted early in the year. 

SCA Application for Research Funding Form (DOCX, 41.4 KB)

Submit application forms to the SCA HDR Funding Coordinator: j.yared@uq.edu.au

Notification will be sent via email once an application has been approved.


Acceptance Procedure

The notification email will include:

  • an offer Letter
  • an acceptance Form
  • a reimbursement Form
  • a travel notification template (for international travel only)

Please complete the Acceptance Form (including your full banking details), the Reimbursement Form and the Travel Notification Template, and return both to the HDR Liaison Officer: hdr.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au.

The Acceptance Form must include an actual signature – a scanned copy of the form is acceptable. You are required to make your own travel arrangements and bookings.

Please note that no reservations or payments should be made prior to receiving the offer letter approved by the Head of School. Insurance The Travel Notification spreadsheet will be submitted to the Insurance Office on your behalf and you will be supplied with a Travel Notification Reference Number (for international travel) once approved. This provides cover under the UQ Travel Insurance policy to the traveller provided they are a current UQ student. All travellers are requested to access the UQ Finance and Business Services website to familiarise themselves with UQ travel policy, field trip risk assessments, travel insurance, and other related items before applying for travel.


Fieldwork

If your application involves any fieldwork, you must complete the Online Fieldwork Safety Training Module prior to departure. A copy of the certificate showing proof of successful completion must be attached to your travel form. It is also important to read and understand the Fieldwork & Work Off-Campus OHS Guidelines. Other Applications may not be made retrospectively. Cash passports are not available for HDR students.

Our Staff

SCA Director of Research Higher Degrees: 
Associate Professor Venero Armanno (v.armanno@uq.edu.au)
 
The HLO for SCA
 Dr Luna Xing  (hdr.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au)