Up g r ad es

13.6. Up g r ad es

13.6.1. Awardees are generally not permitted to upgrade to a higher level course (either within the same institution or at another institution) during or after

completion of their scholarship. However, the following upgrades are permitted, subject to Program Area and partner government approval where relevant (please note that not all Program Areas allow for an upgrade):

i. where an institution has recommended an awardee to be invited to undertake an Honours program

ii. Masters by research awardees may be permitted, in exceptional circumstances, to upgrade to a PhD program if they meet the strict requirements as outlined in Sections 13.6.2 – 13.6.9 .

Upgrade to a PhD

13.6.2. DFAT would prefer for the placement into the PhD to be confirmed during the scholarship application phase. However, as this is not always possible,

the following outlines the criteria and procedures Program Areas will apply when considering a request for a scholarship to be upgraded to a PhD.

13.6.3. This policy recognises that building the research capacity in a developing country will contribute to its economic development and poverty reduction. Allowing upgrades from a Masters by research to a PhD program should

mean that the awardee’s contribution to their home country’s research capacity will be enhanced.

13.6.4. Final approval by Program Areas will be effected by the awardee signing a deed of amendment to their acceptance of offer contract with DFAT. The 13.6.4. Final approval by Program Areas will be effected by the awardee signing a deed of amendment to their acceptance of offer contract with DFAT. The

13.6.5. The awardee must submit their request for the upgrade to their institution

including all supporting documentation, a minimum of 30 days before the awardee’s scholarship completion date (DFAT will not support awardees remaining in Australia pending any decision on approvals for an upgrade).

13.6.6. The awardee must submit the following with their request for an upgrade:

i. clear written justification for the upgrade, including evidence that they are likely to return to a position in their home country or region which will enable them to

pass on their research skills (e.g. evidence of previous relevant employment in an academic or research environment; a letter of potential employment in such an institution on return home)

ii. evidence that they will be able to enhance research links between their home country and Australia

iii. a brief proposal, including a project timeline, demonstrating how the PhD will be completed within the total of four years, including how the Masters studies to

date have contributed to achieving that deadline.

13.6.7. Once the Program Area has given in-principle approval for an upgrade, the awardee must subsequently provide evidence that they have been accepted into the proposed PhD program before final approval by the Program Area can be given.

13.6.8. If approval for the upgrade is given, the awardee must apply for a further visa to stay

in Australia beyond the end date of their initial visa (see Section 8.5 ).

13.6.9. Program Areas and the partner government where applicable, may consider upgrades of exceptional awardees from a Masters by research to a PhD on

a case-by-case basis under the following criteria:

i. the PhD will be undertaken at the same institution at which the awardee is studying a Masters by research program under the scholarship

ii. the upgrade will result in the study period (and hence the scholarship duration) not exceeding four years in total (i.e. the equivalent duration had the institution’s

initial offer been for the PhD).

13.6.10. Program Areas must advise the Scholarships and Alumni Branch if an upgrade is approved, and upload the deed of amendment, signed by the awardee, in OASIS.

13.6.11. The institution must:

i. submit the request for an upgrade, including all supporting documentation listed at Section 13.6.6 , to Program Areas at least 30 days before the awardee’s scholarship completion date

ii. ensure the supervisor and the institution’s chair of the Research Committee or ii. ensure the supervisor and the institution’s chair of the Research Committee or

iii. provide copies of all half-yearly reports submitted by the supervisor to the research committee or equivalent.

13.6.12. In the event that an upgrade is approved, the Scholarships and Alumni Branch

will provide a “No Objection Letter” for the awardee to apply to the S

Department of Immigration and Border Protection for a further visa to remain in Australia beyond the initial visa end date.