Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Student International Internship Travel Grant
Overview
Title
Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Student International Internship Travel Grant
College
Opening date
01-01-2026
Closing date
31-12-2026
Scholarship value
$5,000
Scholarship duration
one year
Payment term
single instalment
Level of Study
Higher Degrees Research
Description
The University has established the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Student International Internship Travel Grant to provide funding towards overseas trips for HDR students for the purpose of contributing to, or completing, an eligible internship with an international industry partner. The collaborative research and development activities undertaken in the international internship will add value to the student’s HDR research and thesis. The value of the grant shall normally be up to $5000 for travel expenses relating to the internship.
The minimum period for the trip is at least four weeks overseas with the industry partner undertaking research and development activities, and the maximum period shall depend on the activities but should not be longer than four months. All internships need to be a minimum of 60 days, with this including an appropriate mix of face-to-face, online, or hybrid working activities with the industry partner (the 60 days do not need to be consecutive).
The HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant does NOT fund overseas trips that are essential to the thesis. Funds to cover essential aspects of the study, including overseas, must be budgeted for as a condition of admission to candidature. The HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant funds are intended to support international internship opportunities that will significantly enhance the quality of the research and thesis, as well as build international research collaborations.
The HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant shall be awarded by the HDR Scholarships Committee which shall take into consideration the merit of both the applicant and the application, and the supporting statement/s provided by the applicant and Principal Supervisor.
Eligibility
Students for the HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant must:
- be enrolled in an HDR, and have successfully completed the Confirmation of Candidature milestone at the time of application;
- have organised an eligible internship1 with an international industry partner (research end-user)2, with a completed ‘Higher Degree by Research Student Internship Letter of Agreement’ prior to application for the HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant; and
- have gained unqualified support from their Principal Supervisor for the proposed internship and travel.
Both the Principal Supervisor and student shall provide evidence of how the research and thesis will be enhanced by the internship, and how international research collaborations will be developed and maintained.
Although the HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant does not preclude attendance at conferences or training courses, students will not be funded for conference / training support from the HDR Scholarships Committee concurrently with this grant.
Selection Criteria
The HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant will not normally be awarded to:
- students in the fourth year of study (or an equivalent period part-time);
- academic staff with an appointment of ≥ 0.4FTE;
- students enrolled in their first year of their HDR, prior to completion of the Confirmation of Candidature milestone;
- students who propose an international internship which does not meet the criteria for an eligible internship1; or
- students who have been awarded other funding through the HDR Scholarships Committee for the purposes of international travel during their current HDR candidature.
The HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant and the Flinders University Overseas Travelling Fellowship cannot be held concurrently.
Application information
Applications must be submitted online through the Flinders University Student Info system. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with eligible grants awarded until funding is exhausted in that calendar year. Please see the Scholarships website for further information.
Applications must include a completed ‘Higher Degree by Research Student Internship Letter of Agreement’, curriculum vitae; a detailed itinerary; and a justification statement signed by the student and Principal Supervisor. In the justification for funding, an explanation of how the HDR research and thesis will be enhanced by the international internship, how the international research collaboration will be developed and maintained, the benefits to both the student and industry partner by undertaking the internship, and the arrangements for supervision during the applicant's absence should be included.
The Principal Supervisor should comment on the statement of justification for the international internship provided by the student and on the expected impact of the international internship and collaboration on the HDR research and thesis. Applications lacking a statement by the Principal Supervisor will not be considered.
The HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant shall be awarded by the HDR Scholarships Committee.
The holder of a HDR Student International Internship Travel Grant shall submit to the HDR Scholarships Committee on their return to the University a brief report describing the research and development activities undertaken during the tenure of the award and provide proof of expenditure.
