RAGS (Research and Graduate Studies) Funding

This information is based on the 2006 RAGS committee guidelines in The School of Art History, Cinema, Classics & Archaeology and may be revised in 2007.

About RAGS Funding Scheme

Principles

RAGS committee funds are available to support Masters by Research and PhD candidates.

Requests will be considered for items/activities relating solely to student’s Research Higher Degree (RHD) project, i.e. requests in aid of research dedicated items/activities.

The School funds requests for research dedicated items/activities that would not otherwise be available to students, for example, photographs from international museums, film from international archives and activities abroad that are fundamental to the completion of the research project.

Items purchased with RAGS funding remain the property of the School and the School reserves the right to the return of items following the completion of candidature.

Level of Funding & Procedures

The School provides RHD students with a funding allocation that is to be used across the entire period of their candidature. Each Masters by Research student is eligible for up to $600 funding and each PhD candidate is eligible for up to $1,200 funding per candidature.
Funding for part-time students is calculated on a pro-rata basis as above. Students whose supervision/enrolment is split between two departments are likewise funded on a pro-rata basis between departments.

The Committee will take into consideration a candidate’s access to other funding sources when assessing a request.

What may be Funded under this Scheme

The School supports requests for research-dedicated items/activities that would not otherwise be available to students, for example, photographs from international museums, film from international archives, activities abroad that are fundamental to the completion of the research project, and conference attendance and presentation.

The RAGS Committee will consider applications relating to videos/DVDs where these items are considered fundamental to the student’s research project, e.g. where the student requires frequent close analysis of the items in question.

Requests for support should always be discussed with supervisors in the first instance prior to submission.

Students and supervisors should consider alternative means of attaining the material, for example a supervisor may wish to order the materials through the School’s library allocation.

What is not Covered by this Scheme

Items that are available elsewhere on campus, i.e. the School library, University Library etc. will not normally be funded by the RAGS Committee. Books that are available within the University will not normally be considered. DVDs/videos that are not fundamental as described above will also not normally be considered.

The purchase of technical equipment, such as computers, computer software, DVD players or software support/repairs is not supported under this scheme since these resources are already provided within the School. Computer software/hardware that is A) not otherwise available and B) fundamental to the student’s research will be considered, but in line with policy, remains the property of the School and will be installed in the Postgraduate Rooms.

Students requesting reimbursement for the cost of attending training courses must demonstrate that the course they wish to undertake is crucial to their research. Students should in the first instance check the opportunities that exist within the University for postgraduates to attend training courses. Students who seek funding for the purposes of attending training courses run by external providers must demonstrate that such training is not already available through existing University training schemes. Students may seek reimbursement of any nominal costs associated with University training courses.

Applications

RAGS applications are assessed in two application rounds in February and July each year in line with the Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship (MATS) submission dates (31 March and 31 August). Students will be advised in advance of deadlines and may apply to the Committee retrospectively.

Students applying for funding must provide a statement as to the relevance of the request to their thesis research. Applications are made to the School's committee and require the completion of the application form for RAGS funding (pdf).

Checklist before Submission

• Has your supervisor endorsed your funding application and the Risk Assessment section of the form?
• If you are attending a conference, have you attached conference information?
• Have you attached receipts for the expenses you are claiming?
• Have you completed the Student Supplier Form?
• Do you require a letter of support for the purpose of an application for other university funding schemes?

If you are travelling interstate/overseas or undertaking fieldwork

• have you provided an itinerary for your trip?
• have you completed a Leave to Study Overseas/Away form and the Appropriate Risk Assessment Forms?
  Forms for PhD students
  Form for MA students

This checklist is also available at the end of the application form for RAGS funding (pdf).

Submission

Forms should be submitted to the Postgraduate Officer.