OTARC PhD Scholarship for Autistic Scholars
Background
As part of OTARC’s strategic priority to support and train outstanding Autistic scholars and practitioners, OTARC will be offering one (1) Olga Tennison Research Scholarship to an Autistic candidate with exceptional research promise to undertake a graduate research degree at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University.
The candidate will undertake a doctoral degree in autism research aligned to one of OTARC’s four research program areas, with interdisciplinary research topics strongly encouraged:
- Identification and Diagnosis
- Supports and Practices for Daily Living
- Health and Wellbeing
- Educational and Vocational Engagement
Stipend value is $33,500 per annum (2023 full-time rate, part-time equivalent). Applicants for both part-time and full-time candidature will be considered, for commencement in 2024.
To express your interest and discuss research project opportunities please contact Professor Alison Lane, OTARC Director at a.lane@latrobe.edu.au
Benefits of the scholarship
- a stipend for up to three and a half (3.5) years for a doctoral degree, with a value of $33,500 per annum (2023 full-time rate)
- a tuition fee scholarship for up to four years
- access to a support allowance of up to a maximum of $5,000 for the duration of the candidature to assist with costs associated with supporting you in undertaking the degree.
- candidates enrolled in the School of Psychology and Population Health may apply for up to an additional $4,000 for project related costs and up to $2,000 for conference travel costs during their candidature
- Generous leave allowances, as well as allowances to support relocation and production of the thesis
- opportunities to work with OTARC’s outstanding researchers and access to our suite of professional development programs
Are you eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident and identify as Autistic
- meet the entrance requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy or be currently enrolled in the PhD
- not be receiving another scholarship greater than 75 per cent of the stipend rate for the same purpose
- Applicants may wish to request their application is assessed on equity grounds
- Identify a potential principal supervisor based at OTARC and receive in-principle approval for your research project, which must be aligned to one of the priority areas of research identified above
How to apply
Complete the following steps to apply:
- Contact a.lane@latrobe.edu.au to express your interest and to discuss project opportunities before the closing date.
- Once you have received in principle agreement from Alison Lane, follow the steps to submit your full application for candidature and scholarship.
- In the application, you may wish to attach a statement up to 2,000 words outlining your unique strengths and qualities, why you would excel as a student, and illustrate how the scholarship could impact your academic endeavours.
- In the application, attach supporting medical documentation (if available). You must identify as Autistic to be eligible for this scholarship.
- In the application, select the 'Graduate Research - Specialist Research Scholarship' option when prompted and input the scholarship code SRS- 24007.
- Submit your expression of interest and the full application by 1 March 2024.
Who to contact for further information
Professor Alison Lane, Director OTARC, a.lane@latrobe.edu.au