School of Culture & Communication Media & Communications

Media and Communications Masters research funding

Research Funding Guidelines for Research Higher Degree Students

Principles of funding scheme

School research funds are available to support the research of academic staff, Masters by research and PhD candidates, within the guidelines specified below. These funds may be used to match MATS, TRIPS, PORES and the PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme.

Money allocated must be spent only on the project approved and, normally, in the year in which it was awarded.

Funding for PhD students

The total funding for which a full-time PhD student may apply will normally not exceed $500 per year, with a cap of $1500 over the candidature. With the exception of three categories of support, PhD students are only eligible to apply for this funding after their candidature has been confirmed.

Funding for Masters by research students

Masters by research students are eligible to apply for a total of $750 in two annual instalments of $500 and $250. With the exception of three categories of support, masters by research students are only eligible to apply for this funding after their first progress report has been assessed as 'satisfactory'.

Funding for part-time students is calculated at a 50% rate. Collaborative projects involving two or more research higher degree students of the School will also be funded on a pro-rata basis.

In exceptional circumstances, research higher degree students may make a case for requesting two years' worth of allocations in a single application. Due to uncertain budget forecasts the School cannot commit to funding cumulative, candidature-long claims.

Funding requests not covered by these guidelines will be considered on their merits by the Chair of Research, provided they are in the spirit of the principles detailed below.

Please note the deadlines for application rounds (see below). Retrospective applications, supported by receipts, will be considered.

What the scheme funds:

PhD students whose candidature has been confirmed and MA students whose first progress report has been approved may apply for School research funding within the following guidelines.

Before PhD Confirmation or MA Progress Report 1 students may apply for the asterisked categories of research funding only.

* Photocopying
Each research higher degree student is entitled to an annual photocopying grant of $50 (or $25 for part-time students) in the form of credit for the Unicard system used in the Baillieu Library. This allocation is deducted from the student's total available funding for the year. Apply directly to the School's Research Students Administrator for this grant.

* Memory sticks/thumb drives
Students who wish to purchase their own memory stick or thumb drive may seek reimbursement up to $50. Apply directly to the School's Research Students Administrator. The documentation will take at least one working day to produce.

* SGR Upskills programs
Postgraduates may apply for funding to cover fees of SGR Upskills programs

Conferences
Conference attendance to present a paper either in Australia or overseas, with a ceiling of $500 (or $250 for a part-time student) per annum. Postgraduates who are funded for conference presentation must also present their paper in a departmental forum and are expected to seek refereed publication. Please provide a hard copy of any publication that results from this paper to the Research (Staff) Administrator.

Interstate and overseas travel for archival research
The School will normally only supply top-up funds for Arts Faculty and University travel grants, eg., TRIPS and MATS.
View further information on travel grants and candidature scholarships.

Fieldwork
The School’s contribution towards the Faculty of Arts PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme will not exceed $1500, which represents the total allocation for a PhD candidature.

Thesis expenses: research
Postgraduates may apply for funding to purchase items essential to their research, such as images.

Proof reading
Only in rare and exceptional circumstances; with the knowledge and support of supervisors and the Research Coordinator; in the final stage of thesis editing of a complete draft and with proof of having used University resources to improve language skills. If these conditions are met, students may apply for funding for paid editorial assistance from an outside source. The use of third party editorial assistance, either paid or voluntary, must be acknowledged in the preface and is limited to the guidelines adopted by the University. Applications of this nature must be discussed with your supervisors and presented by them to the Research Coordinator.

Thesis expenses: submission
Postgraduates not currently supported by a funded scholarship are eligible to apply for a grant towards expenses incurred in the binding and printing of their theses. Scholarship holders should visit the Postgraduate Scholarships website to apply for a Thesis Allowance.

Notes on research funding for students

How to apply

RAGS applications for matching funding for TRIPS, MATS, PORES or PhD Fieldwork Grants must be submitted to the Research Student Administrator together with the full TRIPS, MATS, PORES or PhD Fieldwork Grant application by the deadlines listed below. If your funding request is NOT tied to another funding scheme, you may apply at anytime on the Research Funding application form.

Deadlines:

TRIPS due dates

MATS and PORES due dates

PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme due dates

Application Process:

  1. Download the School of Culture and Communication Research Funding application form.
  2. Complete the form; attach the required supporting documentation; ask your supervisor to endorse and sign the application; and submit it to the School Research Student Administrator.
  3. Student receives emailed response from Research Student Administrator esearch office.
  4. If this is your first research funding payment, complete an 'Application for student supplier' form.
  5. Your bank account should be credited within two weeks for the approved amount.
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