Research Futures Scholarship Program

It all comes down to the type of research project you will be working on. Systematic reviews, or other desk-based research can mostly be done online. However, If the project requires you to be in a specific location (e.g., a specific lab), then this will be mentioned in the project description or at the selection interview and will include information about the frequency of face-to-face contact. Finally, when it comes to when and where you meet with your supervisors or other team members, that's something you can discuss and work out together as a team. 

It is an expectation that students will be attending the presentation seminar in person. The 2025 seminar will be held on SCU’s Gold Coast campus towards end of February 2025. The purpose of the seminar is for the students to present the findings and learnings of their research to peers, academic staff and other invited guests. The seminar marks an important milestone and provides an opportunity to celebrate the successful completion of the program.

The level of commitment required is the same as what you'd expect for full-time study to ensure sufficient progress can be made on the project. The good news is that the hours are pretty flexible; it's not necessarily a strict 9-to-5 schedule. Usually, you and your supervisors will discuss and agree on the specific hours that work best for you. If you have other major commitments like an internship or a full-time job, then the RFSP might not be the right fit for you. It is important to know that if insufficient progress is made on the project, the scholarship can be cancelled. For further information refer to the terms and conditions.

Students participating in the program will not incur any costs or fees, however if students are required to travel to campus, they will have to cover their own travel expenses.

No, that is not the case, as we have opened up the program to students from other Australian universities. However, students from other Australian universities are only eligible if they are enrolled in a naturopathic degree (see Terms and Conditions). All other applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree with Southern Cross University at the time of application and award. If your degree finishes in term 5, you can still participate in the scholarship program during the summer term. 

At the time of application and award you must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree. However, postgraduate students enrolled in the Master of Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University are also eligible to apply.

That depends. If you are an international student, you can participate if you are a resident in Australia at the time of application or if you can demonstrate that you hold a relevant visa that permits you to enter/stay in Australia during the scholarship program. If you study online only, i.e., you are not eligible to enter/stay in Australia, unfortunately, you would not be eligible to participate.

Yes, you are eligible if you are still enrolled at SCU at the time of award of the scholarship.

Yes, you're still welcome to apply, however it's important to note that the program is designed to encourage students to explore a research-oriented path. Since you're already enrolled in the Honours program, which indicates your interest in research, you might find the program to be less beneficial for you compared to those who are newer to research. Nevertheless, don't hesitate to submit your application if you're interested!

The time it takes to complete a project can vary. For instance, a systematic review might wrap up in about 6 weeks, but it could take longer depending on the project's topic and the amount of research material involved. Although the program itself lasts for 6 weeks, most supervisors are open to allowing students to finish the project even beyond that period, such as by publishing their findings at their own pace. This arrangement can be discussed and agreed upon between the supervisor and the student. It's important to remember that the scholarship specifically covers the 6-week program period, and there's no obligation to continue afterward. However, some past scholarship recipients have chosen to keep working on their projects and have even gone on to publish their research.

We get that life can throw curveballs, and sometimes things are out of your control. If, for any reason, you can't continue with the program, we do have the right to cancel the scholarship. In situations like this it is important to connect to your supervisors, and the team at NCNM to discuss the circumstances, and potential solutions.

The scholarship includes 6 weeks of $300 per week (paid fortnightly), so $1,800 in total. It is important to note that scholarship payments could be considered exempt income, meaning they may not be subject to taxes. However, we strongly advise seeking financial advice before enrolling in the program to ensure you have a clear understanding of the tax implications.

The program is not accredited, as such it is unlikely that you will receive advanced standing, an exemption to study research units, or have it count as prior learning. However, if you successfully complete the program and publish your research findings, it could provide you with a competitive edge when applying for RTP (Research Training Program) scholarships. RTP scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and are quite competitive. Typically, they require an exceptional academic track record, and having research publications can significantly enhance your application.

The default is that the program does not offer credits towards your studies. However, for selected students we can explore the option of credits instead of a scholarship. This is only possible if your degree and/or progression allows enrolment to HLTH3001 Independent Studies Unit - Health and after confirmation from your Course Coordinator. If you are interested in this option, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss the feasibility of this option.

That depends. If you receive a scholarship from the university designed to assist with costs associated with higher education, then you will still be eligible. If, however, you are receiving a scholarship for a research project like the Research Futures Scholarship Program, then you might not be eligible, especially if the scholarship is awarded for the same period. Please let us know the details of the scholarship before you apply so we can provide the best advice. 

Generally, it is preferred that students participate in the program in summer term. In exceptional cases however we are willing to work with students to discuss projects outside the RFSP program. Please note that no scholarship will be offered to students who undertake a research project outside the RFSP summer term. If you are keen to participate in research outside the RFSP summer term, please contact an NCNM academic staff to discuss your project ideas and career plans. 

As a student of SCU you can download an unofficial academic transcript at any time from My Enrolment.