CSIRO Industry PhD Program: Scholarship Terms and Conditions 1. Introduction The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a four-year research training program that focuses on applied research and working with the industry sector. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia. The Program includes: a) admission to a university PhD program b) joint supervision by an Australian university, CSIRO and an industry partner c) a four-year scholarship package totalling approximately $46,000 per annum d) a four-year Project Expense and Development package of up to $13,000 per annum e) a three-month (60 days full-time) equivalent Industry Engagement component f) structured career and professional development training Students who commence the CSIRO Industry PhD Program are subject to the policies, procedures, and guidelines of their university, in addition to these Scholarship Terms and Conditions and the terms specified on the CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement. Successful students will receive a standard PhD on completion. 2. Program design and student eligibility iPhD projects are co-developed by the industry partner, university, and CSIRO and are designed for new students to commence an industry-focussed PhD project. To be eligible for entry to this Program, the student must: a) be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen b) meet host university PhD admission requirements c) meet host university English language requirements d) not have previously completed a PhD e) not be in receipt of another primary scholarship f) be able to commence the Program in the year of the offer g) enrol as a full-time PhD student; and, h) be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that has been approved and, if required, comply with the university’s external enrolment procedures. 3. Scholarship package The CSIRO Industry PhD program provides a stipend worth approx. $46,000 per annum (2024 rate) for full- time study, which is made up of: i. Australian Government Industry PhD Program scholarship valued at $34,000 per annum (2024 rate), indexed annually at 3% ii. Top up scholarship $12,000 per annum (not indexed) funded by the industry partner 4. Project Expense and Development package A Project Expense and Development package of up to $13,000 per annum for research operating costs, skills development, and conference travel will be made available to the supervising organisation at the primary location. The primary location is the location where the student is primarily based to undertake the iPhD project. Project expenses may include lab consumables, fieldwork, and other research costs. Travel costs associated with the project, three-month Industry Engagement component and/or approved development activities, such as relevant conferences, are also eligible expenses. The Project Expense and Development Package funds are an auditable scholarship benefit and must be expended in accordance with the principles set out in the travel and purchasing policies of the organisation at the primary location. Unused project expenses and development funds may not be rolled over to the subsequent year. 4.1. Eligibility for Project Expense and Development package To be eligible for this funding, each year the student must: a) Receive approval from their CSIRO, industry and host university supervisors for their proposed development activities and project expenses b) Receive final approval from the supervisor at the primary location c) Manage expenses, such as the keeping of records, in accordance with the travel and purchasing policies of the organisation at the primary location 4.2 Costs not covered by the Project Expense and Development package The package cannot be used to pay for non-development items including but not limited to: a) Professional membership exams b) Professional association membership fees 4.3 Costs covered during the Industry Engagement component Although expenses for the Industry Engagement component must be expended in accordance with the principles set out in the travel and purchasing policies of the organisation at the primary location, where a student must travel a significant distance from their primary location, it is expected that as a minimum, the student will not be out of pocket for additional accommodation and travel expenses. 5. Career and professional development training The CSIRO Industry PhD Program includes a structured and tailored career and professional development training component that builds skills needed to deliver industry-focused research including innovation, entrepreneurial skills, and leadership. This is a mandatory component, requiring a time commitment of approximately five days per year. The training is curated by the iPhD program staff and is delivered alongside the student’s PhD. 6. Application process The following information is relevant to applicants who meet the Program’s student eligibility criteria. a) Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for each project they wish to be considered for following the instructions detailed on the participating university’s webpage. b) The EOI is then assessed by CSIRO, industry and university supervisors and a preferred applicant is nominated for the project. Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed. c) Nominated applicants are then invited to submit a formal application to the participating university. This application is assessed by the university against their PhD admission criteria. d) The university issues a letter of offer to the program if all admission requirements have been satisfied. e) The nominated applicant is enrolled and onboarded at the university. f) CSIRO issues an Industry PhD Student Agreement (see section 7.3) to the nominated applicant. g) On execution of the Industry PhD Student Agreement, the nominated applicant is onboarded at CSIRO. 7. Tenure conditions To remain enrolled in the Program, and to continue receiving all scholarship benefits associated with the Program, all students must adhere to the following tenure conditions. 7.1 Acceptance Awardees must accept their scholarship in writing by the prescribed deadline in the scholarship letter of offer. The offer may be withdrawn if no response is received by the deadline. 7.2 Enrolment The student must: a) Commence their candidature in the same calendar year as their offer (the first year) b) Be enrolled in full-time study at the host university for the duration of the Program, subject to the leave entitlements (section 7.5) 7.3 CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement A CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement will be entered into by the participating university, the successful student and CSIRO. It will address intellectual property matters, publications rights and other contractual details. The agreement is aligned to the Collaboration Agreement, which has already been established between CSIRO, the university and industry partner during the project development phase. Project intellectual property (IP) and results will be owned and licensed in accordance with the Collaboration Agreement, however the student owns copyright in their thesis. Project publications are encouraged, but some conditions may be imposed to protect project IP and confidential information of the parties involved. 7.4 Duration The duration of the scholarship is for a maximum period of four years when completed full-time. Part-time arrangements are discouraged and generally rejected. However, unique scenarios may potentially be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the approval of the host university, CSIRO, and industry partner. Part-time scholarships are taxable. 7.5 Leave entitlements Students are entitled to personal and sick leave in line with the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017. Periods of leave longer than those outlined in the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines require approval from the university, CSIRO, and the industry partner. If permission is not provided, the student will only continue to maintain their scholarship subject to agreement by the host university, CSIRO, and the industry partner. 7.6 Ongoing eligibility To meet ongoing eligibility during their candidature and in addition to all other requirements outlined in this document, the student must: a) Sign the CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement within six months of enrolment b) Demonstrate and maintain a level of academic performance which satisfies the university’s standards for PhD study. For example, achieve confirmation of candidature, complete progress reviews, thesis submission and successful completion c) Participate in all mandatory events and sessions which are part of the career and professional development training delivered by the iPhD program d) Interact with university, CSIRO and industry supervisors throughout their candidature and maintain an industry-focused PhD project under the guidance of the supervisors e) Undertake a three-month Industry Engagement component with the industry partner and report on these activities to the host university and the iPhD team. 7.7 Changes to supervisory team or project The student may request variation to their candidature through the university’s variation of candidature procedure. This may include changes to direction of the project or to supervisors. Any changes must be agreed by the university, CSIRO, the industry supervisor, and the student prior to the submission of the variation form. 8. Industry Engagement component The student is required to undertake a three-month Industry Engagement component preferably at the industry partner’s main location. This three-month (or 60 equivalent days) component can be completed as a block or spread throughout the four-year candidature. The student and supervisory team are required to develop and document a plan which must be approved by the host university. Activities should contribute to the development, research, and outcomes of the PhD project, and be related to the student’s area of research. Generally, any results from these activities can be included in the thesis so long as confidentiality and publication clauses listed in the collaboration agreement and Industry PhD Student Agreement are complied with. 9. Reporting and Evaluation To support the ongoing improvement of the iPhD program, as well as to help evaluate the program effectiveness in achieving its stated objectives and intended outcomes, students will be invited to participate in program evaluation activities including interviews, longitudinal surveys and focus groups This is expected to occur two times per year over the life of the four-year PhD. 10. Contact For further information on the Terms and Conditions contact the CSIRO Industry PhD Program Office: iphd@csiro.au