Scholarship Application Ranking Procedures

This procedure describes the University of Ballarat Scholarship Ranking Procedure.

These procedures relate to:

• Higher Degree by Research students and staff
• The process to follow for ranking an application for a research scholarship
• The Scholarship Application Form

Scholarship Application Ranking Procedures

The Research Higher Degrees SubCommittee agreed that all students are awarded scholarships on a merit basis, but should also be aligned to the University's commitment to strategic research directions.

1. All students are awarded scholarships on the recommendation of the RHDSC. Recommendations will be merit based and while the points awarded for qualifications and research performance will be an important determinant of an applicant's rank they will not necessarily be the sole determinant. For example preference may be given to applications which align with the University's strategic research directions. If an application is considered to be aligned with the University's strategic research directions supporting evidence must be provided.
   
   
2. Points will be awarded for:
   a) the highest qualification achieved.
   b) research performance such as publications, exhibitions, conference presentations etc. Points will only be awarded for outputs achievements within the last five years and will normally comply with DEST definitions of research outputs. http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/1460884B-264F-4325-9BD9- 82D63C4672ED/12782/DraftHERDC2007.rtf
   
   

   In regards to Authorship of publications:
   Authorship
   1. Definitions: Authorship is substantial participation, where all the following conditions are met: a) conception and design, or analysis and interpretation of data; b) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content and (c) final approval of the version to be published.
   
   2. The points awarded to the applicant when authorship is shared should be based on the applicant’s contribution to the research performance item. Evidence of the applicant’s contribution must be provided through the completion of the Co-authored Authorship Form (attached).
   
   In cases where the applicant’s contribution is not verified as outlined above the points allocated will reflect an equal share to all listed authors (for example, if there are 3 authors one third of the points will be allocated to the applicant). For further information concerning authorship please refer to the Joint NHMRC / AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997). The 1997 Statement can be accessed at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/policy/researchprac.htm

3. Applicants with a research Professional Doctorate (that is containing at least 2/3 research component) will be considered on an equal basis with Doctor of Philosophy applicants.
   
   
4. Applications will be ranked into two bands (A & B). Band A applications will be ranked higher than Band B applications.
   
   

   Band A will include applicants who have completed a research Masters degree or an Honours degree or a degree with honours at first class level or an equivalent qualification. Rankings within Band A will be determined by research performance.

   Band B will include applicants who have an honours degree or a degree with honours at upper second division (eg Honours 2A) or an equivalent qualification. Rankings within Band B will be determined by research performance.

   In exceptional circumstances applicants in Band B may be elevated to Band A.
   
   

5. Scholarships will be awarded to the highest ranking applicants with those applicants in Band A ranked above those in Band B.
   
   
The Scholarship Application Summary Sheet will be completed for each applicant. This information will then be incorporated into a School Ranking Form.



Please note:
a) Evidence must be provided for all points awarded - if evidence is not provided the points will be subtracted.
b) Qualification and research performance points will be allocated in accordance with the points detailed in the 'Scholarship Application Summary Sheet'.

For further information, please review the Scholarship Application Form.