The Human Rights Scholarship is awarded to local or international applicants wishing to undertake graduate research studies at the University in the human rights field and who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.

Number
Each year the University of Melbourne offers 2 HRSs to applicants wishing to undertake a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.

Benefits & conditions
Human Rights Scholarship benefits include:

• a living allowance of $28,000 per annum (2013 rate)
• a Relocation Grant of $2,000 awarded to students who are moving from interstate in order to study at the University of Melbourne or $3,000 awarded to those who are moving from overseas
• Thesis Allowance of up to $420 (2013 rate) for masters by research and up to $840 (2013 rate) for PhD and other doctorate by research candidates, and
• paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.

Fees
Please note that the HRS does not cover international graduate research degree course fees.

Local graduate research degree HRS recipients are not charged course fees as they are allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place. RTS places exempt students from the Higher Education Contribution (HECS) Scheme. Time limits and other conditions apply to RTS places. For further information please contact the Melbourne School of Graduate Research (PhD, MSc, MPhil, MIS and MOptom students) or your faculty office (all other students).

Conditions
Please click on the following link for further information about scholarship conditions including duration of awards and commencement requirements etc.

Eligibility criteria

1. Applicants for the HRS must be able to demonstrate that their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights extends beyond their academic studies (such as voluntary work and/or work experience).
2. A high H2A (ie. 78-79% and above) is the minimum grade average usually required to be competitive for an HRS.
3. Applicants must have applied for, or be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree* in the human rights field at the University of Melbourne.Applicants who have commenced their graduate research degree must have at least 12 months full-time or equivalent candidature remaining*Graduate research degrees have a research component of at least 66%.
4. International students must have an unconditional course offer at the University of Melbourne for the course for which they seek the support of a HRS. See below for local and international HRS application procedures.
5. Applicants seeking a HRS to undertake a graduate research degree must normally meet the academic requirements that apply to the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS). Click here for further details about APA/MRS Eligibility.
6. HRSs are not awarded to applicants who:
   • cannot provide evidence that their demonstrated commitment to human rights extends beyond their academic studies
   • have already completed a course deemed to be at the same, or higher, level for which they are seeking scholarship support
   • as a result of previous candidature and/or prior scholarship, have a maximum tenure of less than 12 months
   • have previously received an MRS, Fay Marles Scholarship (FMS) or Postgraduate Equity Scholarship (PES), or
   • have already been awarded or later receive another equivalent award, scholarship or salary for the studies for which they seek a HRS. An “equivalent” award is regarded as one greater than 75% of the base HRS rate (75% of the base 2011 HRS rate = $19,500).

Selection criteria
Selection of the HRS is based on four main criteria: area of study, evidence of commitment to human rights over a period of time, academic merit and strength of supporting documentation.

Application procedure

Step 1: Submit candidature/admission and scholarship application.

Local applicants
Local applicants should visit ‘How to Apply (local)’ for application information. Applications should submitted by 31 October 2013.

International applicants
If you are an international applicant visit ‘How to apply (international)’ for application information. International students wishing to apply for the HRS must:

• apply for admission (if not already currently enrolled in the course for which you seek an HRS) and have an unconditional offer of admission for which the scholarship is sought by 31 December 2013. Information about how to apply for admission to the University of Melbourne is available here.

Step 2: Complete a HRS coversheet with supporting documentation
In addition all applicants (local and international) must complete and submit a HRS document coversheet, with the documents listed below, to Melbourne Scholarships by 31 October 2013.

Required documents
These documents are required for both local and international applications.

1. A clear statement (maximum of one page) outlining how your intended studies relate to the human rights field and will further your understanding of human rights.
2. A statement (maximum of one page) that demonstrates (by noting activities you have been engaged in) your commitment, over a period of time, to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.
3. A reference that comments on your involvement in human rights. Your referee may, for example, work for a human rights organisation. Your referee is asked to provide their contact details.
4. Any other letters of recommendation or support you wish to provide that are relevant to your application (optional).
5. A 25-word summary outlining how your area of study will contribute to the field of human rights.

Application outcome
The HRS selection meeting will take place in February 2013. Applicants will be advised via email by the end of February of the outcome of their HRS application.

Closing date & timelines
31 October 2013

We are unable to consider late or incomplete applications.

Scholarship assessment timelines for local and international students can also be viewed.

For further information
Please contact Melbourne Scholarships.

• Undergraduate Scholarships, University of Melbourne, Australia
• PhD Research Scholarship in Asia Pacific Studies, University of Wollongong, Australia
• Harold Ford Melbourne JD Scholarships, University of Melbourne, Australia
• Master Scholarships in Human Rights and Democratisation, Asia Pacific
• Oak Fellowship in Poverty and Human Rights, USA
• Islam and Law in Southeast Asia Fieldwork Scholarships, University of Melbourne, Australia
• Melbourne International Fee Remission Scholarships (MIFRS), University of Melbourne, Australia
• Foundation Studies Scholarships, RMIT University, Australia
• Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellows, RMIT University, Australia
• Human Rights Watch Fellowships, USA

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.