Monash Gippsland Visiting Scholars

Purpose of the scheme

The Visiting Scholar Scheme provides support to visiting researchers at Monash Gippsland for periods of up to three months (or one semester). The scheme provides grants of up to $4 , 000 to assist with airfares and living away from home expenses. Any additional costs associated with the visit are to be supported by the host School

The purposes of the scheme are to:

• foster collaboration between Monash researchers and partners elsewhere in Australia or overseas
• provide stimulus to the Monash research environment
• strengthen the research profile of the Gippsland campus

Note: The Visiting Scholar Scheme is highly competitive. The quality of the written application is of paramount importance.

Requirements

Host schools will be required to nominate one or more staff to work with the Visiting Scholar during the visit. Applications should be made by the sponsoring academic in the host school.

Visiting Scholars are required to give at least one public lecture in their field and a research seminar in their designated School at the Gippsland Campus. These activities should be organised with the sponsoring School staff member. Successful applicants must also agree to acknowledge Monash University Gippsland in any publications resulting from the visit.

A Visiting Scholar would be expected to work together with Monash Gippsland researchers on a project which results in an application for funding with the Australian Research Council or other external funding organisation and/or in a substantial published research outcome.

A Visiting Scholar would also be expected to be available to work with HDR students in the relevant School/s at the campus. The sponsoring academic should discuss with the Visiting Scholar their research plans for the visit before submitting the application.

Timing of Visit

In order to meet the above requirements, Visiting Scholar's visits to Monash must be scheduled to occur mainly during the Semester period - i.e. March to the end of June, or July to November. At other non-teaching periods there are significantly reduced numbers of staff and students on campus.

Submission of Applications

Visiting Scholars may receive only one grant in a twelve month period (i.e. not be funded from two consecutive rounds). There will be two application rounds in 2008. Closing dates at Gippsland Research Office:

• Monday, 17 March
• Friday, 18 July

Budget Preparation

A reasonable (economy) return airfare and accommodation costs should be quoted. Accommodation can be organised through the University's Housing Office. Refer to Off-campus accommodation information, off-campus tenancy advice and off-campus housing database.

Relocation costs or internal travel (unless the applicant is based in Australia) will not be covered.

Please list any other funding that the applicant will receive from his/her home University or other sources.

Application Form

A copy of the Visiting Scholar's current Curriculum Vitae must be submitted with the completed Application Form (doc, 84kb)^†. These should be lodged by the sponsoring academic of the host School ideally six months prior to the proposed visit.

Please submit applications (original and pdf) to:

Research Services Manager
Gippsland Research Office, Room 1W310
Monash University
Churchill
Victoria 3842, Australia

Tel: +61 3 990 26461
Fax: +61 3 990 26203
Email: Gippsland.Research@adm.monash.edu.au

^† The form is designed to be downloaded, then edited in MS Word. Only the field entries are editable and will expand as you type text into them.

Approval Process

The Gippsland Research Committee will consider and rank all applications for the Scheme. The host School and the applicant will be advised in writing of the result of the application.

Please note that the Visiting Scholar Scheme is very competitive. Monash Gippsland is not able to fund all of the applications that it receives.

Visas for Overseas Visitors

Monash Personnel Services will forward a letter to successful applicants that will allow them to apply for the ‘Visa Sub Class 419 (Visiting Academic)' visa.

“This visa sub-class is intended for academics whose primary purpose of stay is to observe or participate (without remuneration other than for living expenses and travel costs) in research projects at the invitation of an Australian tertiary institution or research organisation” (not intended for persons taking up paid appointments).

All documentation together with the nominee's visa application should be lodged directly with the Australian Immigration Office overseas (using Visa application form 147).

Claiming Expenses

The grant for a Visiting Scholar is administered by Gippsland Research Office. Successful applicants will be advised to submit a completed claim form in order to claim their expenses or arrange for direct payment of airfares etc. See example claim form (pdf, 125kb) and blank claim form (doc, 265kb).