NICTA (National ICT Australia) provides a range of scholarships to support postgraduate ICT research primarily within the Schools of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications (EET) at UNSW.
NICTA scholarships may supplement Australian Government, university, international or NICTA-sponsored primary scholarships; alternatively, they may be awarded as independent NICTA-sponsored scholarships. To receive a scholarship, recipients must accept the conditions of award established by UNSW. One of these conditions requires recipients to apply for any government or university scholarships they are eligible for at the earliest opportunity.
Eligibility
NICTA scholarships are available to local and international students who are:
- Eligible for admission to UNSW as research candidates within CSE or EET, or within a school or department that offers ICT research programs linked with CSE or EET
- Supervised by a university-appointed panel including at least one NICTA-affiliated researcher and one academic in the school of enrolment
- Undertaking or proposing a research project aligned with NICTA’s Research Themes, Business Areas, Research Projects and supervisory capabilities
- Deemed competitive, in the joint NICTA-UNSW selection process, as an applicant (or potential applicant) for an APA or EIPRS award, as appropriate.
Normally, NICTA scholarships are only available to candidates whose NICTA-supported research can be undertaken without third-party encumbrances that could affect the (resolution of) ownership of any resulting intellectual property. Students in receipt of an APA(I) or similar award should be mindful of this condition.
Ranking of Applications
Applications for NICTA scholarships are ranked by a joint NICTA-UNSW selection committee under three assessment criteria – academic merit (such as performance in completed studies), research potential (such as contributions achieved under supervision) and alignment (such as relevance to NICTA’s Research Themes, Business Areas and Projects).
The closing dates for receipt of applications by the University are published each year. Typically, they are as follows:
For scholarships commencing in Session 1 of any year –
- 30 October of the preceding year for local and international applicants
For scholarships commencing in Session 2 of any year –
- 30 April in the same year for local and international applicants.
Students already holding a primary government-sponsored award, such as an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS) or equivalent, may apply for the NICTA-enhanced PhD program at any time.
Scholarship Award Process
Recommendations of the joint NICTA-UNSW selection committee are considered by the appropriate Laboratory Director and Head of School. Offers are then made consistent with funds available.
In the award of NICTA scholarships, priority is given to supporting students engaged in collaborative research projects involving both university and NICTA researchers. A list of these projects and participating researchers is finalised by the University and NICTA before scholarship applications are considered.
Scholarship applicants may elect to register interest in any of these collaborative projects as alternatives to their nominated research proposal prior to the meeting of the scholarship selection committee.
Level of Award
The level of scholarship award is influenced by University advice on the applicant’s prospects of gaining an APA or EIPRS. Applicants may already hold one of these Australian Government awards, or similar awards funded by another government.
The NICTA Research Project Award (NRPA) may be offered as a supplement to local and international students in receipt of a primary Government-, University- or NICTA-funded scholarship. Currently, the NRPA gives recipients an annual tax-exempt stipend of AUD$7,000 per year (adjusted annually for inflation), and is available for the same period of tenure as the primary award. Its value is adjusted annually. The conditions of award for the NRPA include an obligation on students, under the guidance of their supervisors, to take advantage of the opportunities for enhanced research training offered by NICTA. UNSW has established planning and reporting requirements to facilitate the coordination and management of NICTA-enhanced PhDs.
NICTA also offers two additional scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding research potential. These scholarships are extremely competitive. In general, they are only awarded to applicants who have a four-year first class honours degree or equivalent, demonstrated research potential and strong academic references.
The NICTA Local Postgraduate Award (NLPA) is available to local PhD students for a period of up to three years, and provides recipients with an annual tax-free stipend at the APA equivalent rate.
The NICTA International Postgraduate Award (NIPA) is available to international PhD students for up to three years, and is offered in conjunction with an NRPA (as part of a NICTA-sponsored scholarship package). The two NICTA scholarships provide recipients with an annual tax-free stipend at the APA equivalent rate. The NIPA scholarship also covers international tuition fees, OSHC and VISA cost reimbursement.
Applicants for an NLPA or NIPA are automatically considered for the NRPA. Award of the NRPA is conditional on the completion of the UNSW–NICTA Student Scholarship Agreement, which deals with intellectual property and confidentiality issues that may affect the student, the University and/or NICTA.
All NICTA scholarships may be extended for a period not exceeding 12 months, in circumstances supported by UNSW and NICTA. A separate application form, available through the University, must be submitted by students seeking to extend their existing NICTA scholarship. Applications for extension of NICTA scholarships are assessed on three criteria – progress and performance as a research candidate, plans for thesis submission and beneficial engagement with NICTA as a NICTA-enhanced PhD student.
Making an Application for NICTA Enhancement
To apply for a NICTA scholarship, carefully follow the application procedure provided on this website.
Application Procedure
Applications are invited from students who have or expect to receive first-class honours degrees in ICT-related disciplines, have demonstrated research potential and strong academic referees. To apply for a NICTA scholarship, carefully follow the application procedure below.
1. Make informal contact with a NICTA Research Project Leader or Group Manager for advice on constructing a research proposal that would align with NICTA’s Research Themes, Business Areas and Projects.
2. Apply for admission to the UNSW PhD program within the School of Computer Science and Engineering or Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, or another school with an intended superviosr who is involved in collaborative ICT research with either of these schools and with NICTA.
3. Apply for any appropriate Australian Government or university scholarships. Local students should apply for an APA or University Postgraduate Award (UPA), and international students should apply for an EIPRS or University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA).
4. Apply for a NICTA scholarship by completing the Application Form for Enhancement.
5. Supply the names and contact details of two referees, and ask them to complete and return the NICTA Referee Report to the address indicated.
Any enquiries relating to NICTA scholarships at UNSW should be directed to nsweducation@nicta.com.au or nicta@unsw.edu.au