WQRA PhD Scholarships

Applicants for these scholarships should be completing an Honours degree or a four year degree program with Honours, or hold a Masters degree. Scholarship holders will join teams undertaking water related research at one or more of the participating organisations in WQRA.

This prestigious scholarship has been established in honour of Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC MBE, former Chair of the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment.

Professor Millis, widely regarded as a national treasure, is a microbiologist of international repute who has made enormous contributions in agriculture, environmental protection, medicine and engineering. Nancy Millis was only the fourth woman to be appointed as a Professor at the University of Melbourne, her achievements recognised with the award of a personal chair in 1982. From 1980 to 2000, she chaired the Federal Government's genetic engineering surveillance committees (RDMC and GMAC), which established guidelines that have become models for other countries in our region. Nancy Millis is also a leader in environmental management. As a researcher she was aware early of the importance of clean water and developed techniques to treat industrial wastewater. In 1992, Professor Millis was appointed the first female Chancellor of La Trobe University. She was Chair of the Victorian Government's Water Strategy Committee advising on the supply and use of water for the Melbourne area. Nancy was the Chairman of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment from 1995 until it ended in 2008. Her integrity, persistence, forthrightness and the ability to collaborate with others to achieve a successful outcome are some of her outstanding characteristics. In 1977, she became a Member of the British Empire (MBE) and in 1990 was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Benefits This scholarship provides a stipend top-up of $10,000 per year for up to 3.5 years, a project consumables budget of up to $15,000 over the term of the scholarship, opportunities for leadership mentoring, plus support for participation in national and international conferences. The terms of the scholarship require that the student has no external paid employment for the duration of the scholarship. Students with Australian Citizenship, New Zealand Citizenship or Permanent Residency are eligible to apply.

Application Procedures for Nancy Millis and WQRA Scholarships
All applicants will be considered for both the Nancy Millis Scholarship and the WQRA Scholarships. A sub-committee including Emeritus Professor Millis will assess the applications and select the successful applicant(s) for each category of scholarship.

All applicants must also lodge an application for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) (or equivalent) scholarship at the host university for the relevant project. If applying for WQRA Scholarships at more than one University, it is necessary to apply for an APA or equivalent at each University. Note: APA applications closed on 31 October 2008 however other types of scholarships may still be open.
Prospective applicants are advised to contact the Supervisors listed for each project to discuss their interest and suitability prior to submitting an application.

A FINAL listing of available projects is available (Word document) and project outlines can also be downloaded (Word document).

Applications to WQRA for the top-up scholarships should comprise a covering letter, a resume and current academic record. Updated results (if necessary) and two referee's reports will be requested after shortlisting, and applicants must show evidence of excellent academic performance.

Enquiries and Applications for Nancy Millis Scholarship and WQRA Top-up Scholarships to:
carolyn.bellamy@unisa.edu.au