CPWS Scholarships and Support

Centre for Plant & Water Science Scholarships and Support

Centre for Plant & Water Science Postgraduate Scholarship 
The Centre for Plant & Water Science will offer up to four postgraduate research scholarships in a given year to the value of $4,500 per annum on a competitive basis. These funds may be used to top up another scholarship in designated CPWS priority areas, to a maximum total scholarship value of $23,000 per student per annum, but preference will be given to students receiving lesser or no other scholarships.

Centre for Plant & Water Science International Postgraduate Scholarship 
The Centre for Plant & Water Science also offers up to two international postgraduate scholarships to international CQUniversity postgraduate students, each of up to $10,000 in a given year for a maximum of three (3) years, to encourage diversity in the group. These allocations are to be made on a merit basis, as decided by the CPWS Planning & Development Committee, with priority given to international students who have been awarded a CQUniversity International Postgraduate Research Award (IPRA) or International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) to be used to support either tuition fees or living costs.

Centre for Plant & Water Science Postgraduate Project Support
(Expression of Interest to your principal supervisor)

The Centre for Plant & Water Science offers support of up to $4,500 per annum for any CPWS affiliated student undertaking honours or postgraduate research, to be used for conference attendance, consumables, or other miscellaneous expenses at the supervisor's/CPWS management discretion. These funds may be made available after RTS funding is exhausted. Your supervisor will normally guide you into an activity affiliated with an externally funded project to take advantage of associated resources. Pro-rata support is available for part-time students.

Note: Postgraduate Scholarships and Postgraduate Project Support is funded for up to a 12 month period within a calendar year and should be fully expended within the calendar year the scholarship/research support is awarded. Re-application for the Postgraduate scholarship is required each calendar year. Total CPWS support will not exceed $19,000 per annum per student. For further information on all scholarships or project support, please contact the Director.

General Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships

Applicants must:
•  submit a CV demonstrating a strong track record of achievement;
•  have applied for enrolment at CQUniversity as a full-time student undertaking postgraduate research relevant to the scholarship for which they are applying;
•  have a strong desire to develop their career in Plant or Water Science;
•  present a seminar in the approved research area at an appropriate venue as determined by the Director of Centre for Plant & Water Science, or nominated representative;
•  have completed all due candidature requirements;
•  submit a timeline of activities, demonstrating intent and capability to complete candidature 'on-time'.

Successful scholarship recipients:
•  are permitted to hold other externally-awarded scholarships;
•  are permitted to accept one-off prizes that may be awarded for academic merit during the course of their study;
•  must ensure that the CPWS scholarship is compatible with any other award they hold.

Selection Process

•  Applications should be emailed to Linda Ahern by 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December of the current year (applications received after each date will be considered by the Selection Committee in the subsequent round);
•  Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of the CPWS Planning & Development Committee or their nominated representative;
•  Scholarships will be offered following the selection process;
•  All scholarship applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within 1 month following the selection round in which their application is received.

The award of the scholarship shall be made at the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee. After reviewing applications, the Selection Committee may choose to conduct interviews with the scholarship applicants. The Selection Committee reserves the right:
•  not to award any Scholarship in any year;
•  to, in consultation with the scholarship recipient, award the scholarship as a single payment, or as equal payments at the commencement of each semester for the duration of the scholarship, or as a weekly payment for the duration of the scholarship;
•  suspend payment of scholarship funds if the student candidate's progress is unsatisfactory, as determined by the Director, CPWS and Faculty Associate Dean (Research & Innovation).

CPWS Priority Areas

Current designated priority areas are as listed below. However, these areas will change. Candidates are advised to discuss these areas with the Director of CPWS.

• Harnessing New Opportunities with Native Flora
• High Quality Food
• Water and the Environment

Application Form

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants should refer to the Eligibility Criteria and the Application Checklist prior to completing and submitting the application.

Application Checklist

•  Please send only the required documentation. If you are requested to attend an interview, your full portfolio can be presented at that time.
•  Make sure you are familiar with the General Eligibility Criteria (listed above) for assessment of the scholarship.

Please email or submit your application to the CPWS Administration Officer. Your application should include the following documentation:
•  A completed application form.
•  Outline of your career ambitions & motivation in relation to your career path. Briefly explain why you have chosen to study at CQUniversity (limited to 250 words).
•  Curriculum vitae; brief details of major educational activities, community involvement, leadership qualities and employment history. (Honours applicants: Maximum of two (2) printed pages, Postgraduate applications: Maximum of four (4) printed pages).
•  Copies of your Student Education Profile (or qualifications deemed equivalent).

PAST CPWS Scholarships

For any queries regarding scholarship application procedures, please contact the CPWS Administration Officer, Linda Ahern on (07) 4930 6870 or email l.ahern with cqu.edu.au.