Eligibility

Application Process

1. Speak to your university’s VRS contact or AMSI Member Representative about your eligibility and how you can identify a supervisor and research project
2. Ask your supervisor to read the Information for Supervisors page
3. Prepare your documents with your supervisor’s help
4. Submit your online application

You’ll receive email notification of your application outcome. Due to the expected volume of applications, detailed feedback cannot be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Late Submission

Which Documents Do I Submit?

• Research proposal (maximum of one page)
  File name: LASTNAME-ResearchProposal.pdf
• Statement of results (including the previous semester’s results)
  File name: LASTNAME-StatementofResults.pdf
• Letter of support from your supervisor
  File name: LASTNAME-LetterofSupport.pdf

You will be mentored by your nominated supervisor. You should communicate regularly throughout the six-week research project.

As soon as you find out that your application has been successful, you should discuss with your supervisor and managing university department:

• The focus of your research
• How you’ll manage your six-week project
• How to appropriately prepare your report
• What should be included in your blog
• Presentation technique for AMSIConnect

Blog Post

The blog post gives you the opportunity to practice discussing research with a wide audience outside of academia. You may choose to write about:

• Your research project
• An area of mathematics that interests you
• How or why you became interested in mathematics

Blog posts should be between 300 and 500 words, written in a manner accessible to non-specialist audiences. More information on how to write a blog and the requirements will be communicated to all successful scholarship recipients.

Guidelines and Templates

We have prepared documents to guide your research and provide a template for your presentation, report and blog. Refer to the Guidelines and Templates page:

• Before you begin your research and throughout your project
• In preparation for AMSIConnect
• Before finalising your report and blog post

Report & Blog Submission

You must submit your research report and blog post via our online form by 28 February 2022. Make sure your supervisor proofs them first!

Submit your research report using the AMSI report template and adhering to the AMSI style guide (found in the information booklet). These resources are available for download on the Guidelines and Templates page.

Your research report should be submitted as a .pdf file and named as per the following guide:

LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_VRS-Report.pdf

Submit your blog as a .doc file and named as per the following guide:

LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_VRS-Blog.docx

Intellectual Policy

The VRS program follows the Intellectual Policy and Plagiarism policy of the university that you are enrolled in and/or the AMSI partner organisation at which you undertake your project. Please ensure that you are aware of the relevant policies and requirements.

Have Your Plans Changed?

Project or Supervisor Updates

Your project might need to be refocused or slightly amended in the early stages of research, and changes in supervisor(s) may occur. If there are any changes to your project—including title changes—please email vrs@amsi.org.au at the earliest possible time.

Note: if these changes are significantly different from the project originally submitted on your application, permission to proceed will have to be obtained from the AMSI Research and Higher Education Program Manager and the Head of Department at your home university.

Withdrawal

If circumstances change and you need to withdraw from AMSI VRS, talk to your supervisor. We encourage you to contact AMSI directly to discuss flexibility if you have special (e.g. medical) circumstances and are considering withdrawal.

As soon as a decision is made to withdraw, you must notify by email:

1. Your university’s VRS contact or AMSI Member Representative
2. The AMSI Research and Higher Education Manager

Your withdrawal will be reviewed and payment adjusted accordingly.

Payment

You will receive a stipend payment of A$2000 administered by your home university, or the university at which you’re enrolled to undertake a Vacation Research Scholarship. AMSI pays the university by invoice in two instalments:

• A$1000.00 ex. GST on the award of the scholarship
• A$1000.00 ex. GST on receipt of your final research paper and blog post

Scholars should speak to their university’s VRS contact or mathematical sciences department to discuss payment arrangements (most AMSI member universities have had Vacation Research Scholars in previous years, and should be aware of the processes).

AMSIConnect

In February you will participate in AMSIConnect, the exclusive national conference for AMSI Vacation Research Scholars. You’ll present your research project, hear from invited guest speakers, participate in a careers panel Q&A and network with fellow Scholars. Project supervisors are also encouraged to participate in the conference and chair a session.

There are prizes up for grabs for the best presentation, awarded according to audience votes.

Note: it is a condition of accepting this scholarship that you attend for the full duration of the AMSIConnect conference. In exceptional circumstances, please email vrs@amsi.org.au to discuss.