Research Programs - Conditions of Participation
All Summer, Winter, and Global Change Youth Research Scholars must read and agree to these Conditions of Participation when accepting their offer.
Updated: 6 May 2022
1. Commencement
1.1 Once a Letter of Offer has been received, the Research Scholar must indicate if they will accept or decline a place in the program by submitting an Offer Acceptance Form in StudentHub. This process must be completed within two (2) weeks of receiving the Letter of Offer, or by a date otherwise specified on the Letter of Offer.
1.2 The Research Scholar must commence the Research Experience Program by the dates specified in the Letter of Offer.
1.3 Unless approved by the Research Unit and Student Enrichment and Employability Development, an Offer will be revoked and the scholarship terminated where the Research Scholar does not commence the research program within two weeks of the commencement date specified in the Letter of Offer.
2. Project Duration
2.1 The maximum duration of time that a scholar can participate in a Research Experience Program is as follows:
a) 10 weeks participation in the Summer Research Program; or
b) 5 weeks participation in the Winter Research Program; or
c) 4 weeks during the Winter Vacation and equivalent of 1 day a week during semester 2 for the Global Change Youth Research Program.
2.3 Official Research Experience Program dates will be set each year and advertised on the Student Enrichment and Employability Development website.
3. Project Engagement
3.1. Research Scholars are encouraged to actively participate in the research experience to enhance their own educational outcomes. Research Supervisors will help guide day-to-day research activities and provide support as required.
3.2 Both Research Scholars and Research Supervisors should meet prior to or at the start of the research experience to discuss goals and expectations. If this is not possible, the Research Scholar should at least make contact via email or phone with the Research Supervisor on the first day to seek direction.
3.3 Research activities must be completed at a UQ campus or research site unless otherwise agreed by the Research Supervisor and scholar.
3.4 Research Scholars are expected to be available between 20 to 36 hours per week for the duration of the research project (4-8 hours a week for Global Change Youth Research Scholars during semester 2). It is encouraged that the scholar negotiate the hours and days of engagement with their Research Supervisor.
3.5 Details of the start and finish dates and expected hours of engagement for the research project will be outlined in the Letter of Offer. Scholars must only commence the research project after their exam period has concluded and projects must not extend into University teaching weeks (with the exception of the Global Change Youth Research Program).
3.6 Where appropriate to the project, additional discipline/project specific obligations may also be required, such as training in research safety and ethics.
4. Scholarship
4.1 Research Scholars will receive a scholarship as outlined in the Letter of Offer. The scholarship payment will be made to the student by the Research Unit (or by Student Enrichment and Employability Development for the Global Change Youth Research Program).
4.2 To retain the scholarship, the following requirements must be met by the scholar:
a) Maintain ongoing enrolment in a program of study at UQ for the entirety of the Research Program. Research Units may undertake their own eligibility checks to ensure scholars will remain enrolled students at UQ for the purpose of awarding a scholarship;
b) Fulfil the hours of engagement as outlined in the Letter of Approval;
c) Maintain satisfactory performance as negotiated with the Research Supervisor.
4.3 Unless specified otherwise by the Research Unit, scholarships will be paid into the recipient’s nominated bank account, in line with the following schedules:
a) Summer Research scholarships will be paid as either one lump-sum OR two lump-sum payments in December and January;
b) Winter Research scholarships will be paid as one lump-sum payment in week two of the program;
c) Global Change Youth Research scholarships will be paid as two lump-sum payments, the first in August and the second in December once the report has been submitted to the supervisor.
4.4 Scholarships will not normally be paid for
a) Part-weeks (with exception for semester 2 for the Global Change Youth Research Program);
b) Extension beyond the number of weeks specified in the Letter of Offer, unless pre-approved by the Unit Coordinator and the Student Enrichment and Employability Development Team; or
c) Periods away from the university, such as during the Christmas break when the university is closed.
4.5 If a scholarship recipient withdraws from the program or is terminated, their scholarship will cease and if paid in advance, will need to be returned for the equivalent full-weeks they are yet to complete on the project.
4.6. A student can hold only one scholarship position per Research Program round.
5. Tax Implications
5.1 The University of Queensland cannot provide tax advice to students. Should you have any tax related questions, please contact the Australian Taxation Office.
6. Extension
6.1 Extensions beyond the original number of weeks offered (up to the maximum period of the scholarship) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and will be awarded at the discretion of Student Enrichment and Employability Development on the basis of;
a) The recommendation and support of the Unit Coordinator; and
b) The reason for the request; and
c) The availability of funding.
6.2 Extensions beyond the maximum duration of the Research Programs (see section 2.1) will not be granted.
6.3 Extensions will only be considered if the scholar has demonstrated satisfactory performance throughout their experience.
8. Absence Without Scholarship
8.1 Research Scholars can apply to be absent without scholarship under the following circumstances.
a) Ill-health of three days or greater; and
b) Special/personal requests for a short period.
8.2 Research Scholars must seek approval for absences from their Research Supervisor and notify the Unit Coordinator of the Research Unit so the necessary arrangements can be made. Approval is at the discretion of the Research Unit.
10. Termination
10.1 The University reserves the right to terminate a scholar’s participation in the program (including the scholarship payment) at any time under the following circumstances:
a) The Research Scholar is in breach of the Conditions of Participation contained herein;
b) The Research Scholar discontinues their program of study at UQ and is no longer an enrolled student,
c) The Research Scholar commits academic or student misconduct;
d) The ill-health of the Research Scholar seriously interferes with progress of the research project.
10.2 If a Research Scholar is terminated for any reason prior to commencement of the project, the University will not be liable for any costs, and if terminated during the project, the University will at its sole discretion determine if any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
10.3 Scholarship payments cease from the date of termination of the project, and if paid in advance will need to be returned for the equivalent full-weeks yet to be completed on the project.
11. Insurance
11.1. Any UQ student is covered by UQ insurance while undertaking UQ authorised activities. Please visit the University’s Public Liability Insurance website for more information or the Insurance for Students Fact Sheet.
12. Intellectual Property
12.1 Research Scholars are subject to UQ’s Intellectual Property policy and may be required to enter into an agreement with their Research Unit. Read more about this policy. Please check with your Unit Coordinator for further details.
13. Research Completion Report
13.1 Research Scholars are strongly encouraged to submit a research completion report (i.e. reflective survey) to Student Enrichment and Employability Development after the research experience concludes. This report will be sent to Research Scholars by the Student Enrichment and Employability Development Team separately.
13.2 Research units may also require scholars to prepare and deliver an oral presentation, complete a written report or create a poster presentation about their experience. Scholars should ask their Research Supervisor in the first week if this will be a requirement.
13.3 Global Change Youth Research Scholars are required to submit a report to their supervisor AND present at the following year's Youth Forum held in April.
14. Communications
14.1 Research Scholars agree to receive communications from their Research Unit, Student Enrichment and Employability Development, University of Queensland Library and Student Services relating to the project.
14.2 Research Scholars also agree to receive communications from UQ after the program concludes about other relevant programs, grants, and events.
15. Contacts
Enquiries pertaining to project offers, scholarship payments, extensions, absence, termination and/or change in project should be directed to the Unit Coordinator of the Research Unit.
Enquiries pertaining to program dates, events/sessions, eligibility and grievances should be directed to the Student Enrichment and Employability Development Team.