Keith and Dorothy Mackay Postgraduate Scholarship

The Keith and Dorothy Mackay Honours Scholarship is for the support of academically excellent students who are enrolled in their Honours year (or who will be enrolling in their Honours year in the following calendar year) at the University of New England who, because of personal hardship, would otherwise be unable to complete their Honours Year.

The Scholarship is awarded by the Higher Degree Research Scholarships Committee. Usually, Research Services will invite applications in November each year and the award(s) will be made before the end of December. The scholar will usually take up the Scholarship within twelve months of the award being made.

Normally a maximum value of $A5,000 covering a maximum period of one year full-time or two years part-time study. The successful applicant will receive two equal lump sum payments on the commencement and completion of the Honours year.

The scholarship may not be awarded if there are no suitably qualified applicants.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must:

  • Be enrolled at the University of New England in an Honours year or be intending to enrol in their Honours year in the following calendar year.  This includes those enrolled in either a four-year degree course with a final Honours year or a three-year Bachelor degree with an additional Honours year; AND
  • Demonstrate financial need.

The Applicant needs to complete the Application Form and attach the following documents:

  • A one page statement outlining the reasons why they would be unable to complete their Honours as a result of personal hardship (not research costs),and also
  • Documentary evidence of financial need, such as
    • A budget detailing weekly or fortnightly income and expenses;
    • A copy of an Austudy, Youth Allowance or Centrelink statement of benefit or; similar documentation.
  • Academic transcripts (either from UNE or other institutions)

Applicants will also need to organise submission of a Supervisor Statement of Support and one Academic Referee Report. Applications can be submitted to Research Services through AskUNE.

Supervisor Statement of Support

  • All applicants must submit a Statement of Support from their Principal Supervisor. The University will not request statements on your behalf.
  • This statement should be no more than 500 words and should outline alignment of the applicant’s research proposal with the School research priorities and provide a clear indication of the level of support of the student’s project.
  • There is no specific form for the statement of support and it can be submitted direct to Research Services by the supervisor via email to hdrdocuments@une.edu.au or it may be supplied by the Supervisor to the student for attachment to this application.

Referee Reports

  • All applicants must provide one referee reports. The University will not request reports on your behalf.
  • Referees must be qualified to speak with knowledge about the applicants work during the qualification most relevant to this application and on your capacity for research.  If you are also basing this application on relevant work experience/training, at least one referee must be able to comment on relevant experience.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be ranked using the following criteria:

  • Academic merit: Successful applicants will normally have achieved a good record of Distinctions and High Distinctions in their previous academic years.
  • Demonstration of Financial Need
  • Supervisors Statement of Support
  • Referees Report

Preference will be given to those who have undertaken the equivalent of at least three years full-time study through the University of New England, Armidale.

For more information please contact Research Services

Closing Dates: 15  November