VRES applications open on 8th August 2011 and close on 2nd September 2011.
Students are invited to apply for the Vacation Research Experience Scholarship (VRES) scheme (which includes the Carla Patterson Memorial Scholarship Scheme). This provides the opportunity to receive a scholarship to participate in a research study over the summer vacation period. To apply you need to:
- complete the application form
, including confirmation of your preferred supervisor and project. Available VRES projects are listed on the Faculty of Health's START Database. - be available to meet with potential supervisors as part of the application selection process.
- be available to accept an offer if made after 23 September 2011.
- participate for at least 6 weeks full-time equivalent (180 hours) during the period November 2011-February 2012 period as agreed with supervisor/s.
- attend a farewell function on 24 February 2012 and give a 5-10 minute presentation about your research experience.
General Information
The Queensland University of Technology offers a number of Vacation Research Experience Scholarships over the summer vacation period. Offers are made subject to the availability of funding and appropriate supervision.
VRES recipients are normally expected to participate in a project related to a researcher’s ongoing research program.
Scholarships are intended for currently enrolled undergraduate students completing their second, third, fourth year or final year of study. Honours and postgraduate students are ineligible to apply. International students applying for a Vacation Research Experience Scholarship must have a current student visa and work permit for the period of the research.
PURPOSE
Vacation Research Experience Scholarships provide students with an opportunity to experience research work. This is particularly useful to students considering undertaking postgraduate research towards a higher degree. The scholarships provide contact with active researchers and offer a challenging environment in which students have an opportunity to test for themselves and to demonstrate to others, their potential for research work.
CARLA PATTERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Carla Patterson was a colourful personality, whose cheerfulness in the face of illness was an inspiration to all. Carla was well-known for her efforts in equity issues and advancing women in the university environment. With Carla’s guidance and vision, the School of Public Health experienced expansion and maturation in its research profile and developed a vibrant sense of community. Carla implemented additional scholarships along the same lines as the Vacation Research Experience Scholarship while Director of Research in Public Health. These scholarships, which have proven popular and successful for undergraduates to gain exposure to and experience with research, continue today and are dedicated to her memory.
If you are successful in securing a place in the Faculty’s Vacation Research Experience Scheme, you may find that you will receive a Carla Patterson Memorial Scholarship if you are to work on a Public Health project. This scholarship is of the same value as the Faculty’s VRES scholarship and is to be accepted with the same terms and conditions as the Faculty VRES scholarships.
DURATION
The duration of a Vacation Research Experience Scholarship will be determined by the Faculty of Health. Students are expected to complete 180 hours in total, usually over a period of 6-8 weeks. The work may be completed over two separate periods to accommodate the end of year University holidays. Vacation Research Experience Scholarships usually commence in November/December 2011 and conclude by late February 2012.
BENEFITS
Each scholarship is $2000 tax exempt and will be paid in two instalments; one prior to Christmas and the other approximately mid-February. If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, ensure you check directly with Centrelink as to how this payment may affect your benefit.
Applications
Application must be made on the application form . Applications open Monday 8th August 2011 and close at 5pm on Friday 2nd September 2011. Late applications will not be accepted.
PROJECTS
A large number of projects are available across most schools/areas in the Faculty of Health. Students can search for VRES projects using the START Database – search by Course Level for ‘Vacation Research Experience Scholarship’. You can also search for VRES projects by keywords, area of research and supervisor.
Life after VRES: Honours and Postgraduate Study
Final year students who also intend to apply for admission to Honours and postgraduate study should note the closing date for 2012 applications.
Postgraduate Scholarships
HONOURS
The closing date for Honours scholarship applications in the Faculty of Health is Friday 2 December 2011. Application forms are available from the Faculty of Health website.
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Final year students who intend to apply for admission to a Faculty of Health higher degree research program (PhD, Prof Doc, Masters) should note the closing date for the Annual QUT Scholarship round is in 14 October 2011 . Further Information on higher degree research programs can be found on the Research Students Centre website.
Enquiries
If you have any questions about the VRES scheme, please contact the Faculty of Health Research Services Team via email health.research@qut.edu.au or 3138 8290.