Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarships (MATS)

MATS are awarded on a competitive basis to University of Melbourne confirmed PhD and other research doctorate students:

• to travel overseas for one or more distinct study related purpose/s that are relevant and academically justifiable but not essential to the completion of their thesis (departments and faculties are responsible for the funding of research that is essential to the PhD or research doctorate), and
• who are able to demonstrate that they have additional funds for the trip. It is expected that the department and/or faculty will provide some funding.

Students travelling to Universitas 21 institutions are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Number
• Benefits
• Eligibility criteria
• Selection criteria
• Application process
• Checklist and required documents
• Eligible costs for budget estimate
• Closing dates and timelines
• Application outcome
• For further information
• MA Bartlett Special Travel Grant-in-aid
• Riady Scholarship

Number

Each year approximately 150 MATS are awarded on a competitive basis.

Benefits

From 2010, each scholarship will usually be worth up to $1,500. In exceptional circumstances the Committee may, at its discretion, award a scholarship up to the value of $2,000.

Eligibility criteria

1. The scheme is available only to PhD or other research doctorate students who have confirmed candidature at the University of Melbourne at the application closing date and at the time of travel. Confirmed PhD candidature takes place between 6 and 12 months of full-time study via a Confirmation Report Form. Please contact your Faculty/Graduate School Graduate Research Contract if you are unsure about your confirmation status.

   If you are not yet confirmed, please apply in a future around. Students undertaking research doctorate degrees which do not have a confirmation process should refer to point 11 below.

2. The travel must:
   • be overseas and at least 10 days research-related activity (including direct travel time), and
   • entail at least one distinct purpose that is clearly relevant and academically justifiable but not essential to the completion of the thesis. Evidence for each purpose must be attached to the application. Acceptable purposes include the following:
     • collecting field data
     • accessing research materials or facilities that are unavailable in Australia
     • working in a laboratory or research institute
     • meeting researchers overseas, or
     • presenting a paper or a poster at an overseas conference that the department or faculty is unable to fully fund.
     • More activities will be looked on favourably and you must provide evidence for each activity to be undertaken.
       

   Investigating post doctorate opportunities is an acceptable travel purpose but only if it is the secondary purpose of the trip. Evidence of arrangements made to investigate post doctorate opportunities must be attached to the application.

   Unacceptable purposes include:

   • attendance at an overseas conference without presenting a paper or poster, or
   • enrollment at another institution. Other funding should be sought for visits of this sort.

   Applicants whose overseas study trip have more than one study related purpose will be viewed more favorably.

   Ideally, all travel purposes detailed in the application will be confirmed at the application closing date. All scholarship offers will be conditional on the provision of confirmed travel plans.

3. Travel should occur in the ‘middle' (ie. between 12 and 36 months) of the research candidature. Travel from 36 to 42 months of candidature will need particular justification from the applicant's supervisor or head of department. Applications for travel beyond 42 months will not be considered.
4. Applicants must obtain additional funds for this trip. It is expected that the applicant's supervisor, department and/or faculty will provide the additional funds.
5. Applicants may not apply for a MATS and an ORES for the same purpose.
6. If the next MATS closing date falls during the applicant's trip or after the trip has occurred, an application can be considered, and a MATS awarded retrospectively, provided all eligibility requirements listed were met, and the application form and all required documents were submitted to Melbourne Scholarships before departure.
7. If details of your trip change, you must advise Melbourne Scholarships for approval from the Graduate Research Scholarships Committee (GRSC).
8. Part-time students are eligible to apply but must be enrolled full time while overseas.
9. Before departure, applicants must have Study Away approved by their Faculty/Graduate School Graduate Research Contact. A Leave of Absence can not be used for an overseas study trip. Scholarships will only be paid on the condition that Study Away has been approved and processed.
10. Cotutelle students whose home institution is in France may make a special case to be considered for a MATS. Applicants should provide evidence of the funding (if any) that is available to them through their home institution to support their proposed overseas travels.
11. 11. Students enrolled in research doctorate courses are eligible to apply if:
    • the course is awarded on the basis of a thesis rather than a body of substantial published work,
    • they have been enrolled in the course for at least 12 months (full time equivalent), and
    • they submit with their MATS application a letter from their supervisor or their head of department that comments on their progress to date.
12. Applicants are ineligible if they:
    • do not meet all of the eligibility requirements listed above
    • have completed more than 42 months of candidature
    • have previously received a MATS
    • are a masters by research student
    • are full-time or fractional full-time academic staff at any university, or
    • submit a late or incomplete application.

No exceptions will be made to the eligibility criteria.

Selection criteria

The Committee will only consider applicants who:

• satisfy all of the eligibility requirements noted above, and
• submit a complete application (ie. all sections of the application completed and all required documents provided) by the closing date and before departure.

When making a decision, the GRSC considers the strength of the entire application, including:

• the statement of purpose and reasonableness of the budget provided by the applicant, and
• the rationale and support that the applicant's supervisor (or head of department or postgraduate co-ordinator) provides for the intended trip.

Applicants should note that selection for this award is competitive as the number of applications exceed the available funds. Submission of an application does not guarantee the award of a scholarship. Applicants are strongly encouraged to pursue alternative funding in the event their application is unsuccessful.

Application process

Applications must be lodged through the Student Portal. Login to your Student Portal and select the "Admin" tab. Select "Apply for a Scholarship" under the Scholarships heading then select "New Scholarship Application".

Submit a completed MATS application online and upload or submit in hard copy the budget proforma and all required documents by the closing date and before departure.

Applicants may access their application for reference through the Student Portal - copies or print outs of your application cannot be made once the application has been submitted.

Checklist and required documents

Before submitting the application, please carefully check you have:

1. Answered all the questions on the application.
2. Read the scholarship application declaration.
3. Uploaded or provided hard copies of the following attachments. Please attach the Scholarship application coversheet and label each attachment as it appears below, including your name and student number:
   
   

   Attachment A: a detailed explanation of your trip. This must include:

   • a statement that clearly explains what you plan to achieve whilst overseas and how your proposed travel will add value to your thesis but is not essential to the completion of it
   • You are required to submit evidence of your proposed travel.  Your itinerary must list the dates (or expected dates), places you will visit, and what you plan to do at each place, and
   • a list of the formal contacts/arrangements you have established or are establishing. You need to provide copies of relevant emails or advice of acceptance of conference papers.

   Attachment B: a statement of support from your supervisor (or head of department or postgraduate co-ordinator). This statement must:

   • support the explanation of what you plan to achieve whilst overseas and explain how the travel is relevant and academically justifiable to your thesis* but is not essential to the completion of it
   • confirm that your budget costs are justified/reasonable
   • note how much money your department will be contributing to the cost of your trip, and
   • detail the funds that your department/faculty will contribute to your trip (if another source is providing the required additional funds this statement should be provided by them).detail the funds that your department/faculty will contribute to your trip (if another source is providing the required additional funds this statement should be provided by them).
     

   * If the intended travel will occur between 36 and 42 months (full-time equivalent) of your candidature, this section of the department statement must justify the trip and clearly explain how travel undertaken so close to your submission date will add value to your thesis.

   This letter should be submitted in hard copy, on letterhead and signed by your supervisor, head of department or postgraduate coordinator.

   Attachment C: a completed budget proforma with specific and detailed expenses and funding information.

Eligible costs for budget estimate

• Airfare, train/bus fares to destination
• Local travel at research/conference site
• Visa fees and airport taxes
• Accommodation
• Conference fees
• Per diem (living allowance). The per diem rate should include an estimate of expenses such as accommodation, meals and incidentals for the period you are travelling for research-released purposes. Please do not include any periods of personal travel in the Per Diem.
  
• Other costs (eg. entrance fees or search fees), and
• Travel insurance. The University has in place a travel insurance policy covering all students who travel as part of their course, available to students at no cost when they register their travel with the Insurance Office. Students must complete the online Register your Travel Student form at least 7 days prior to departure. This is a separate step from the application to Study Away. Please note that strict conditions apply. University owned equipment (such as laptops) are already covered by separate insurance.

Closing dates and timeline

There are two rounds each year. The closing dates are noted below.

Round 1	11.59 pm AEDT, 31 March
Round 2	11.59 pm AEST, 31 August

If a closing date falls on a weekend, you may submit your required documents the next working day but you must complete and submit your application online by 11.59 pm AEDT/AEST on the closing date).

Applications can only be considered if the applicant meets all the eligibility requirements noted in these guidelines and has provided all of the required documentation by the closing date and prior to departure. Late or ineligible applications will not be considered and exceptions cannot be made to the closing date.

Application outcome

Applicants should receive notification by email of the success or otherwise of their application eight weeks after the closing date. Results will also be available on your Student Portal. Results will not be provided over the phone.

For further information

Please contact Melbourne Scholarships.