Australia: 2010 Human Rights Scholarship (HRS) at the University of Melbourne

The Human Rights Scholarship is awarded to applicants wishing to undertake graduate research studies at the University in the human rights field and who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.

Number
Each year the University of Melbourne offers 2 HRSs to applicants commencing a graduate research degree.

Benefits & conditions
Human Rights Scholarship benefits include:
a living allowance of $26,000 per annum (2010 rate)
a Relocation Grant of $2,000 awarded to students who are moving from interstate in order to study at the University of Melbourne or $3,000 awarded to those who are moving from overseas
a Thesis Allowance of up to $420 (2010 rate) for masters by research and up to $840 (2010 rate) for PhD and other doctorate by research candidates, and
Paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.

Fees

Please note that the HRS does not cover international graduate research degree course fees.
Local graduate research degree HRS recipients are not charged course fees as they are allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place. RTS places exempt students from the Higher Education Contribution (HECS) Scheme. Time limits and other conditions apply to RTS places. For further information please contact the Melbourne School of Graduate Research (PhD, MSc, MPhil, MIS and MOptom students) or your faculty office (all other students).

Conditions
Please click on the following link for further information about scholarship conditions including duration of awards and commencement requirements etc.

Eligibility criteria
1. Applicants for the HRS must be able to demonstrate that their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights extends beyond their academic studies (such as voluntary work and/or work experience).
2. A high H2A (ie. 78-79% and above) is the minimum grade average usually required to be competitive for an HRS.
3. Applicants must be planning to commence or be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree in the human rights field at the University of Melbourne.
4. International students must have an unconditional course offer at the University of Melbourne for the course for which they seek the support of a HRS. See below for local and international HRS application procedures.
5. Applicants seeking a HRS to undertake a graduate research degree must normally meet the academic requirements that apply to the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS). Click here for further details about APA/MRS Eligibility.
6. HRSs are not awarded to applicants who:
cannot provide evidence that their demonstrated commitment to human rights extends beyond their academic studies
have already completed a course deemed to be at the same, or higher, level for which they are seeking scholarship support
as a result of previous candidature and/or prior scholarship, have a maximum tenure of less than 12 months
have previously received an MRS, FMS or PES, or
have already been awarded or later receive another equivalent award, scholarship or salary for the studies for which they seek a HRS. An "equivalent" award is regarded as one greater than 75% of the base HRS rate (75% of the base 2010 HRS rate = $19,500).

Selection criteria
Selection of the HRS is based on four main criteria: area of study, evidence of commitment to human rights over a period of time, academic merit and strength of supporting documentation.
Application procedure (including required documents)

Local applicants
Local students wishing to apply for the HRS must:

apply for scholarship online using SCHOLS by the 31 October 2009.
complete and submit to the Melbourne Scholarships Office by 31 October 2009 (or the next working day) three (3) complete sets (one original or certified and two copies) of the documents listed on the document checklist and the additional documents listed below.
International applicants
International students wishing to apply for the HRS must:

apply for admission (if not already currently enrolled in the course for which you seek an HRS) and have an unconditional offer of admission for which the scholarship is sought by Tuesday 5 January 2010. Information about how to apply for admission to the University of Melbourne is available here.

compete the 2010 International HRS Application Form (PDF:50kb)

submit three (3) sets (one original and two copies) of the International HRS Application Form and required documents listed below to the Graduate Research Scholarships Office by 31 October 2009 (or the next working day).

Required documents
1. A clear statement (maximum of one page) outlining how your intended studies relate to the human rights field and will further your understanding of human rights.
2. A statement (maximum of one page) that demonstrates (by noting activities you have been engaged in) your commitment, over a period of time, to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.
3. A reference that comments on your involvement in human rights. Your referee may, for example, work for a human rights organisation. Your referee is asked to provide their contact details.
4. Any other letters of recommendation or support you wish to provide that are relevant to your application (optional).

Application outcome
Applicants are able to view the progress of their application.
The HRS selection meeting will take place in late January 2010. Applicants will be advised via standard mail and SCHOLS by the end of January of the outcome of their HRS application.

Closing date & timelines
31 October 2009. We are unable to consider late or incomplete applications.
Scholarship assessment timelines for local and international students can also be viewed.

For further information
Please contact the Melbourne Scholarships Office on 03 8344 8747 or via www.postgradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query.

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