Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship
Full pay PhD scholarships for Australian public servants.
We offer three year scholarships to high performing EL1 and EL2 Australian Public Service employees to complete a PhD on a topic of national significance at ANU.
Our scholars and alumni build connections between academia and the Australian Public Service, and drive the development of evidence-based public policy.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- be a substantive Executive Level 1 or 2 employee
- be employed by the Australian Public Service, with at least 3 years' service
- have been accepted into a PhD program at ANU.
Una, by Wolfgang Buttress
Scholarship program selection process overview and key dates
Stage 1: Apply to ANU
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October 2020
Info Sessions at ANU and government agencies.
ANU Higher Degree Research applications open for scholarship applicants.
Develop a research proposal for your PhD. The research topic should be of national significance and strategic importance to the Australian Public Service. For more information about topics to consider, refer to the Scholarship Information Pack .
Once you have a proposal, identify and contact an ANU academic supervisor.
Then apply for admission into an ANU PhD program through ANU Graduate Research Office.
Email the Foundation and provide us with your ANU application number.
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March 2021
ANU Higher Degree Research Applications close for scholarship applicants.
Stage 2: Apply to your agency
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May 2021
Sir Roland Wilson Foundation inform agencies which scholars have successful Higher Degree Research applications.
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May – July 2021
Internal agency selection processes.
Once you have a Letter of Offer into a PhD program at ANU, you need to apply through your agency.
Agencies select candidates who meet the selection guidelines for interview with the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation selection panel.
Agencies look for the following attributes when selecting applicants for shortlisting:
Outstanding potential for senior leadership in the Australian Public Service and/or specialised professional or technical leadership in their field.
A record of high performance.
A research proposal in an area of national significance and strategic importance to the Australian Public Service.
Stage 3: Shortlisting and interviews
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July 2021
Agencies send nominations to the Foundation.
Agencies send their supported nominations to us.
The Sir Roland Wilson Foundation selection panel review the nominations and invite shortlisted candidates to interviews.
Stage 4: Outcomes
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August 2021
Shortlisted candidate interviews.
Candidates notified of outcomes.
Successful candidates will be offered a Sir Roland Wilson scholarship to commence the following February.
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November 2021
New scholar orientation.
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February 2022
Scholars start the scholarship program and their studies.
Administrative arrangements
Scholars and their agency enter into a Deed of Agreement that outlines what the scholar and their agency agree to while they are on scholarship.
Scholars are paid their normal salary by their agency. Taxation, superannuation and other employment conditions continue to apply and are outlined in the Deed of Agreement. The Australian Public Service Commission can provide advice on individual Deeds of Agreement to scholars and agencies.
All scholars are awarded scholarships in accordance with ANU Conditions of Award.
