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 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.
Checklist and required documents
Eligible costs for budget estimate
MA Bartlett Special Travel Grant-in-aid
Number
Each year approximately 150 MATS are awarded.
Benefits
Each scholarship is worth up to $1,250.
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 the Melbourne School of Graduate Research if you are unsure about your confirmation status.
If you are not yet confirmed, please apply in a future around. Student undertaking research doctorate degrees which do not have a confirmation process should refer to point 11 below.
2. The travel must:
- be overseas and for at least 10 days, 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, 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.
Investigating post doctorate opportunities is an acceptable travel purpose but only if it is the secondary purpose of the trip.
Unacceptable purposes include:
- attendance at an overseas conference without presenting a paper or poster, or
- enrolment 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 favourably.
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.
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 a PORES for the same purpose.
6. If the next MATS closing date falls during the applicant's trip or after the trip has occured, 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 the MSO before departure.
7. If details of your trip change, you must advise the MSO 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 obtain overseas study leave (OSL) from the Melbourne School of Graduate Research. Scholarships will be awarded on the condition that evidence of approved OSL can be supplied.
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. 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.
top of pageSelection 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 form 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
Download or collect from the Melbourne Scholarships Office (MSO) the application form and budget proforma.
Submit a completed MATS application form, budget proforma and all required documents to the MSO by the closing date and before departure.
Applicants are advised to keep a copy of their application for their own reference, as copies 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 form.
2. Read the applicant's declaration and signed and dated the application form.
3. Attached the following documents in the order listed below. Please label each document as it appears below:
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
- an itinerary of your proposed travel. Your itinerary must list the dates (or expected dates), places you wish to 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 may wish 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).
* 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 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 & airport taxes
- Accommodation
- Conference fees
- Per diem (living allowance)
- Other costs (eg. entrance fees or search fees), and
- Travel insurance. MATS recipients are eligible for the University funded Category B travel insurance which covers capital benefits, legal liability and medical cover. If Category B travel insurance is deemed inadequate students may purchase additional 'top up' insurance to cover baggage and personal effects and the quotes for this insurance can be included in your budget proforma.
For further details about travel insurance for University of Melbourne students please consult the Insurance website:
Closing dates and timeline
There are two rounds each year. The closing dates are noted below.
Round 1 5.15 pm, 31 March
Round 2 5.15 pm, 31 August
If a closing date falls on a weekend, applications will be accepted until 5.15pm on the following Monday.
Applications can only be considered if the applicant meets 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 of the success or otherwise of their application eight weeks after the closing date. Results will also be placed on the web listed by student number and when finalised can be viewed here. Results will not be provided over the phone.
For further information
Please contact the Graduate Research Scholarships Team on 03 8344 8747 or via www.postgradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query.
MA Bartlett Special Travel Grant-in-aid
Applicants for the Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship (MATS) are automatically considered for this grant.
Number
6 MA Bartlett Special Travel Grant-in-aid awards are offered in each round of travelling scholarships within the year.
Benefits and conditions
The MA Bartlett Special Travel Grant-in-aid award is a $200 travel grant for PhD and other research doctorate students.
Application process
Applicants for the Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship (MATS) are automatically considered for this grant and a separate application form is not required. The eligibility and selection criteria are the same as for the MATS.
Application outcome
Applicants should receive notification if they have been awarded the MA Bartlett Special Travel Grant-in-aid award eight weeks after the closing date. Results will not be provided over the phone.
Closing dates & timelines
As per the MATS and PORES.
For further information
Please contact the Graduate Research Scholarships Team on 03 8344 8747 or via www.postgradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query.
Riady Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible as the result of a donation from Mr Tjahaja James Lee Riady and will be awarded to the highest ranked eligible MATS or PORES applicant who intends to undertake fieldwork in Asia.
Number
Up to two Riady Scholarships will normally be offered each year and all eligible MATS and PORES applicants will be automatically considered for them.
Benefits
The Riady Scholarship can be worth up to $2000.
Eligibility criteria
The fieldwork must relate to an area of Asian culture, history, geography, language, technology, etc. Fieldwork relating to Asian studies in non-Asian countries is not permitted.
The term ‘Asia ' encompasses continental Asian countries as well as Middle Eastern/Arabic countries and cultures.
Application process
Applicants for the Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship (MATS) and the Postgraduate Overseas Research Endeavour Scholarship (PORES) are automatically considered for this scholarship and a separate application form is not required.
Application outcome
Applicants should receive notification if they have been awarded the Riady Scholarship eight weeks after the closing date. Results will not be provided over the phone.
Closing dates & timelines
As per the MATS and PORES.
For further information
Please contact the Graduate Research Scholarships Team on 03 8344 8747 or via www.postgradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query.