Australian Postgraduate Award Industry (APAI)
A number of Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) [APA(I)] are available as part of the Linkage Projects Program. The awards are for graduate research degree students whose supervisor(s) have received a Linkage Project Grant APA(I) to undertake collaborative research with industry.
Application process (for departments)
Departments need to apply for an APA(I) through the Melbourne Research Office. Once awarded an APA(I), departments then seek a suitable student.
How to choose an APA(I) recipient
The student nominated for this award must:
- have completed a four year undergraduate degree or equivalent, preferably with H1 or high H2A results or equivalent;
- have approval for a full-time enrolment in a masters by research or PhD. [NB: if the Industry Partner agrees and the student demonstrates heavy care commitments or a medical condition precluding full-time study an APA(I) may be held on a part-time basis]
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident (this requirement only applies to pre-2009 APA(I)s);
- not be receiving similar funding from a Commonwealth Government Program;
- not have already completed a degree at the same level or at a higher level as the proposed candidature; and
- not have previously held an APA or APA(I) unless it was terminated within the first six months of the award.
How to commence payments
Once a student has been selected by the Chief Investigator, the following documents must be submitted to Melbourne Scholarships for approval:
- a completed MSO1 Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) form (all sections, including the THEMIS account, must be completed) and a completed MSO10 Scholarship Commencement Form;
- a complete transcript of the student's academic record;
- a supporting statement if the student has not achieved a H1 or H2A result; and
- the student's curriculum vitae.
The recipient must normally be enrolled full-time in a masters by research or PhD degree and the Industry Partner Agreement must be signed before payments may proceed. An APA(I) can only be held part-time if there are compelling social reasons.
How to change an APA(I) graduate research student
If an APA(I) recipient is unable to continue their project within the first two years of the project's commencement date, a new APA(I) recipient may be selected by the Chief Investigator and the Industry Partner. The new student must meet the APA(I) eligibility criteria and the overall expenditure for the particular APA(I) must not exceed the amount provided by the Commonwealth for the approved duration of the APA(I).
The Chief Investigator will be responsible for any monetary short fall between the Commonwealth and the amount required for the new APA(I) recipient to complete their degree.
Benefits and conditions
The APA(I) stipend for 2012 is:
- $29,843 per annum (full-time)
- $16,300 per annum (part-time) for all projects [NB: part-time scholarships are not tax exempt].
Most conditions are identical to the other scholarships described in the Graduate Research Scholarship Conditions.
Item 10.1 of the Graduate Research Scholarship Conditions details specific APA(I) conditions.
Click on the following links for information on:
For further information
For information on applications, conditions, acceptance procedures, nomination of student, deferment of APA(I) and transfers please contact the Grants Co-ordinator at the Melbourne Research Office on +61 3 8344 2012 or view their web site: http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/.
Contact Melbourne Scholarships for information about the payment of entitlements, allowances, leave, conversion and part-time study.
For enrolment queries contact the relevant faculty.