Dean's Travel Grant Award

1. Introduction:

   The ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) is pleased to announce the new "Dean's Travel Grant". This grant enables currently enrolled PhD students to spend a period of up to three months undertaking research as an intern at an overseas institution(s). At most two grants will be awarded per annum, each with a maximum value of $15,000.

2. Purpose of this program:

   The purpose of this program is to enable outstanding PhD students to:

   • enrich their research by studying for a period of time at an overseas institution(s);
   • develop relationships within the international research community;
   • gain access to resources or expertise that are not readily available within Australia.
3. Eligibility and conditions:
   1. The funds provided can only be used to cover travel, accommodation and incidental expenses as proposed in the original grant application.
   2. Applicants must be enrolled as PhD students within CECS at the time they apply for the travel grant and at the time that they undertake the internship.
   3. The student must remain enrolled in their PhD program for the duration of their internship, and continue to receive their scholarship.
   4. Applicants must have completed one year full-time equivalent of their candidature, and must have successfully passed their Thesis Proposal Review.
   5. The applicant’s supervisor must provide a letter of support detailing how the proposed internship will contribute to the purpose of this program (described in Section 2).
   6. The overseas institution must provide evidence that they are prepared to host the student for the duration of the internship, and that they are able to provide adequate local resources and supervision during this time.
   7. The applicant cannot previously have been awarded a CECS Dean's Travel Grant.
   8. Funds awarded must be spent within 12 months of the date when they were awarded.
   9. Funds awarded must be transferred into the professional development account of the student, and spent in line with the standard practice for student travel and expense acquitting of the relevant CECS School.
   10. Within 3 months of the completion of their internship, the awardee must provide a 2-4 page summary of what they have achieved as a result of their internship.
4. Funding available:

   Applicants can seek funding for up-to $15,000.

5. Applications:

   Applications must contain:

   • A letter of support by the Chair of the applicant’s supervisory panel, providing details of how the proposed internship will contribute to the purpose of this program, how it will benefit the student's PhD and enhance their future career opportunities, and why the student cannot be offered a similar opportunity funded from other sources.
   • The name of each institution to be visited, the proposed dates for the visit, and contact details for the person who will supervise the applicant while they are at that institution.
   • A letter of invitation from each host institution detailing the resources that will be made available to the applicant during their internship and confirming the local supervision arrangements.
   • A budget detailing anticipated costs for travel, accommodation and incidentals.
   • A statement of at most two pages, written by the student, detailing their intended travel itinerary, the planned research and/or study to be conducted, the advantages of these activities to the applicant’s research, the networking opportunities, and how this all relates to their future career plans.
   • An up-to-date CV, which highlights the student's exceptional achievements during their PhD candidature at CECS.

   Applications must be signed by the Chair of the applicant’s supervisory panel.

   Applications should be submitted by hardcopy to the CECS Associate Dean (HDR).

6. Selection:

   Applications will be assessed on the academic merits of the candidates, the extent to which the proposed visit will enrich the applicant’s PhD project, and the strategic value of the proposed internship to the student, their research group and the College as a whole. Preference will be given to candidates whom, in the view of the selection committee, could not been funded from other sources to undertake the proposed internship or given a similar opportunity.

7. Selection panel:

   Applications will be assessed by a small group of CECS academics, including the College Dean or their representative.

8. Application due date:

   17th September 2010

9. Announcement:

   During the CECS HDR Christmas function (November / December) 2010.

Apply now