APAI - ARC Linkage Grant

What is an APAI?

• The Australian Postgraduate Award Industry is a specified award under the ARC Linkage Project scheme.
• APAIs can only be appointed if listed in the ARC Letter of Offer.
• The component of the ARC funding allocated to the APAI can only be used for that purpose, unless prior approval given by the ARC.
• Please consult the Full APAI 2011 Guidelines which are updated on the ARC website at: http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/lp/lp_fundingrules.htm 
• APAI Conditons of Award can be found in the Goldbook Part 9: Schedule 4 (please see the Goldbook webpage here)

Who can be offered an APAI?
To be eligible for an APAI, a candidate must:

• Have completed a Bachelor Degree with Honours 1 or 2A, or meet UC’s requirements for Honours 1 or 2A Equivalence (see below); and
• Be undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (HDR); and
• Be enrolled as a full-time student
• Not already have completed a degree at the same level as the proposed candidature or at a higher level; and
• Not be receiving similar funding or stipend from a Commonwealth Government program; and
• Not have previously held an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or APAI, unless the award was terminated less than 6 months after the stipend was first paid.

Equivalent Attainment to Bachelor with Honours 1 or 2A Honours
If a student does not hold a Bachelor degree with Honours 1 or 2A, then UC may determine that the student has demonstrated an equivalent level of academic attainment. In determining that a student has demonstrated an equivalent level of academic attainment, UC may consider previous study, relevant work experience, research publications, referee reports and other research experience.

Who notifies who of a successful Linkage Grant application?
The ARC notifies the University of Canberra of the success in gaining a Linkage grant containing an APAI and the Research Services Office notifies the Chief Investigator (CI).

How to recruit a suitable candidate

• Scholarships must be awarded in accordance with the ARC Linkage Project Funding Agreement.
• The CI is responsible for leading recruitment of the candidate
• The cost of advertising the APAI position is the responsibility of the CI and /or Faculty/University Research Centre
• The CI is responsible for organising the interview process.

Appointment of candidate

• The applicant must submit the relevant UC Application for Admission form with all accompanying documentation to the Research Students Office (postgrad.research@canberra.edu.au)
• Applicants must meet the University admission requirements for the relevant degree
• A formal offer of place will be made on condition that all ARC requirements are met, including the selection of an appropriate start date.

When does the stipend commence?

• Candidates cannot commence on the APAI until the Partner Organisation agreement has been fully executed.