This scholarships has been developed to support outstanding higher degree by research students and academic affiliates within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
$22,500 pa (up to 3.5 years)
Opening date
1 March 2026
Closing date
31 March 2026
For students you must:
For staff you must:
Scholarship Code: SC5644
The Alana Bowden Memorial Research Fund gift, made possible by her family and friends, is intended to honour Alana’s vision of a dilated scholarly project, a project willing to engage with the arcane, the esoterica, the difficult, while not losing sight of the value of established disciplinary approaches.
This scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to students for the completion of a higher research degree, and academics in the general field of ‘ritual studies’. This includes research taking up the question of ‘ritual’ in the broadest sense: from ‘traditional’ practices to practices emerging in the age of artificial intelligence, the digital, the post-human, the parahuman. It is particularly supportive of research that seek to extend inter- and cross-disciplinary approaches, including those which take up the potential of practice as research as a method.
Read more about this scholarship, including background, eligiblity and slection criteria, value and duration as well as other conditions that will apply.
1. Background
a. The Alana Bowden Memorial Research Fund gift, made possible by her family and friends, is intended to honour Alana’s vision of a dilated scholarly project, a project willing to engage with the arcane, the esoterica, the difficult, while not losing sight of the value of established disciplinary approaches.
b. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to students for the completion of a higher research degree, and academics in the general field of ‘ritual studies’. This includes research taking up the question of ‘ritual’ in the broadest sense: from ‘traditional’ practices to practices emerging in the age of artificial intelligence, the digital, the post-human, the parahuman. It is particularly supportive of research that seek to extend inter- and cross-disciplinary approaches, including those which take up the potential of practice as research as a method.
2. Eligibility
a. Applicants must be currently enrolled to study in a Masters by Research or PhD within the Faculty or Arts or Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.
b. Applicants must conduct research pertaining to the broad area of ritual.
c. Applicants must be applying for project or activity funding to be used for research expenses they expect to incur within 12 months of the Scholarship application opening date.
3. Selection Criteria
a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
I. academic merit,
II. references from two academic referees,
III. curriculum vitae,
IV. budget summary and justification, and
V. the research project or activity including:
i. summary,
ii. relevance, significance and innovativeness,
iii. approach and methodology,
iv. outcome and impact, and
v. any potential collaboration with relevant University of Sydney Centres and Multidisciplinary Initiatives or other entities external to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
b. Preference will be given to research projects and activities which involve interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches and methodologies.
c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a selection committee comprising of:
I. Associate Dean (Research Education) or their nominated delegate,
II. an academic from Theatre and Performance Studies or a nominated delegated of the Head of School, School of Art Communication and English, and
III. an academic from Studies in Religion or a nominated delegate of the Head of School, School of Humanities.
4. Value
a. A full-time enrolled recipient will be provided with a stipend allowance of $22,500 per annum, satisfactory academic performance for up to
I. 1.75 years for a Masters by Research recipient, or
II. 3.5 years for a PhD recipient.
b. A recipient enrolled part-time will receive a stipend rate valued at 50% of the full stipend rate for the equivalent full-time student load duration outlined in Clause 4.a, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
*A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and student should seek tax advice from a registered tax agent. International students will only receive approval to study part-time if it is permitted under their visa.
c. The recipient may not apply for an extension of the stipend allowance.
d. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship excluding any potential extension period.
e. If a recipient converts from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree or vice-versa, such change in candidature must be approved by the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The conversion from Research Doctorate to Research Masters degree may result in termination of the Scholarship. Should the Scholarship holder be approved to retain the Scholarship, the maximum duration of a converted Scholarship becomes that for the new candidature.
f. The Scholarship cannot be deferred without prior approval of the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
The scholarship may only be deferred under circumstances negotiated by the recipient with their primary supervisor, and are limited to:
I. problems with securing relevant visa,
II. availability of appointed supervisor,
III. documented health related issues, and
IV. other unanticipated circumstances arising between the time of application and time of offer of an award, beyond the recipient’s control.
g. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.
h. No other amount is payable.
i. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.
5. Eligibility for Progression
a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation.
6. Leave Arrangements
a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.
b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carer’s leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.
7. Research Overseas
a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.
b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC), and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.
8. Suspension
a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.
b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension of the Scholarship for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of Scholarship suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.
9. Changes in Enrolment
a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.
10. Termination
a. The Scholarship will be terminated:
I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
IV. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of higher value,
V. if the recipient does not commence the project or activity for which the funds have been approved within the required time frame of 12 months of the Scholarship application opening date,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. if the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).
b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:
I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.
c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.
d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.
11. Misconduct
a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.
b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.
1. Background
a. The Alana Bowden Memorial Research Fund gift, made possible by her family and friends, is intended to honour Alana’s vision of a dilated scholarly project, a project willing to engage with the arcane, the esoterica, the difficult, while not losing sight of the value of established disciplinary approaches.
b. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to students for the completion of a higher research degree, or academics in the general field of ‘ritual studies’. This includes research taking up the question of ‘ritual’ in the broadest sense: from ‘traditional’ practices to practices emerging in the age of artificial intelligence, the digital, the post-human, the parahuman. It is particularly supportive of research that seek to extend inter- and cross-disciplinary approaches, including those which take up the potential of practice as research as a method.
2. Eligibility
a. Applicants must be an academic affiliate in a continuing position employed within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney at the time of Scholarship application closing date.
b. Applicants’ research may be based in any discipline within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences but must pertain to the broad area of ritual.
c. Applicants must be applying for project or activity funding to be used for research expenses they expect to incur within 12 months of the Scholarship application opening date.
3. Selection Criteria
a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
I. academic merit,
II. references from two academic referees,
III. curriculum vitae,
IV. budget summary and justification, and
V. the research project or activity including:
i. summary,
ii. relevance, significance and innovativeness,
iii. approach and methodology,
iv. outcome and impact, and
v. any potential collaboration with relevant University of Sydney Centres and Multidisciplinary Initiatives or other entities external to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
b. Preference will be given to research projects and activities which involve interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches and methodologies.
c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a selection committee comprising of:
I. Associate Dean (Research Education) or their nominated delegate,
II. an academic from Theatre and Performance Studies or a nominated delegated of the Head of School, School of Art Communication and English, and
III. an academic from Studies in Religion or a nominated delegate of the Head of School, School of Humanities.
4. Value
a. The Scholarship is valued at $22,500.
b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a one-off payment after a receipt of the Scholarship Acceptance Form.
c. The Scholarship cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval of the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
d. No other amount is payable.
e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.
5. Termination
a. The Scholarship will terminate on resignation of the staff member from their continuing appointment with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.
b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University the staff member has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.
c. Payments will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.
d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.
