Summer & Winter Research Programs - Conditions of Participation

2.1 The maximum duration of time that a scholar can participate in the Summer or Winter Research Program is as follows:

 a) 10 weeks participation in the Summer Research Program; or

 b) 5 weeks participation in the Winter Research Program (subject to change).

2.3 Official Summer and Winter Research Program dates will be set each year and advertised on the Student Employability Centre website.

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. 

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.  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.

3.6 Where appropriate to the project, additional discipline/project specific obligations may also be required, such as training in research safety and ethics.

4.1 Research Scholars will receive a scholarship equivalent to $360 per week for the duration of the Summer or Winter Research project (as outlined in the Letter of Offer).  The scholarship payment will be made to the student by the research unit.

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 Summer or Winter 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.

4.4 Scholarships will not normally be paid for

a) part-weeks;

b) extension beyond the number of weeks specified in the Letter of Offer, unless pre-approved by the Unit Coordinator and the Student Employability Centre; 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. 

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. 

6.1 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 Employability Centre 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 Summer and Winter 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. 

7.1 The Research Scholar may undertake other commitments within the hours specified in condition 3.2 as negotiated and agreed with the Research Supervisor.

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.

9.1. A Summer or Winter research project and/or scholarship awarded by the University of Queensland is non-transferable.

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 Summer/Winter Research Program - 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. 

11.1. 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. 

12.1 Summer and Winter research scholars are subject to UQ’s Intellectual Property policy and may be require to enter into an agreement with their research unit. Read more about this policy.

13.1 Research Scholars are strongly encouraged to submit a research completion report (i.e. reflective survey) to the Student Employability Centre after the research experience concludes.  This report will be sent to Research Scholars by the Student Employability Centre 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.

14.1 Research Scholars agree to receive communications from their research unit, the Student Employability Centre, 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.

Enquiries pertaining to project offers, scholarship payments, extensions, absence, termination and/or change in project should be directed to the Summer or Winter Unit Coordinator of the research unit.  

Enquiries pertaining to program dates, events/sessions, eligibility and grievances should be directed to the Student Employability Centre.