PhD Scholarships
Playford Trust – 2 scholarships
Family of Donald Laidlaw AO – 1 scholarship
Lang Family Foundation – 1 scholarship
This year the Playford Trust will offer four (4) PhD scholarships for students planning to carry out research in its priority areas. Two (2) scholarships will be offered by the Playford Trust, one (1) by the family of Donald Laidlaw AO and one (1) by the Lang Family Foundation.
The scholarships are intended to supplement an existing Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPS) or similar institutional PhD stipend scholarship.
Students must be undertaking their research with The University of Adelaide, Flinders University or the University of South Australia in the following priority areas for the Trust:
- Advanced manufacturing and new technologies
- Water, energy and climate change
- Agriculture, aquaculture and food production
- Space and defence technologies
- Resources, energy and sustainability
- Health sciences and enabling technologies.
The scholarships are valued at $26,250 and are paid at the rate of $7,500 per annum for three-and-a-half years.
Students must be commencing their PhD in the year of the scholarship or have commenced their PhD no earlier than August of the preceding year.
The Trust will accept an application for an extension of time, subject to satisfactory progress and appropriate support from the university and the PhD supervisor. Approval of such an extension is not automatic.
Selection Criteria
The Playford Trust will consider nominations from students studying at one of the three South Australian universities. The Playford Trust will make the final selection based on the following selection criteria:
Applicants must be:
- ready to commence a PhD with The University of Adelaide, Flinders University or University of South Australia in the priority areas for the Trust
- primarily supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPS) or similar institutional PhD stipend scholarship. A copy of the letter of confirmation is required by the Trust before the scholarship can be awarded
- an Australian citizen or a holder of a permanent resident visa, and resident in South Australia
- intending to spend a significant part of their career in South Australia or are likely to provide a benefit to the State
- a high achiever, with an excellent undergraduate academic record
- of good character. Preference will be given to students who display leadership potential.
It is essential that the applicant’s supervisor or an academic referee (e.g. dean of school/faculty, or lecturer) provides a supporting comment about the student’s achievements, character and leadership potential.
Disclosure of any other awards or scholarships held by the student is required as part of the application process.