SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS

Don McNair Scholarship

in Plant Identification and
Illustration

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF KEY CONDITIONS

The intention of the scholarship is that it will support an Honours candidate whose project involves ecology,
Identification, or illustration of native flora, thus aligned with the goals of The Don McNair Herbarium.
If accepting an offer of this scholarship, you will:
• Maintain your full-time enrolment and academic progress with a GPA of 5.0 minimum for the duration of
the scholarship.
• Notify [email protected] of any changes to you circumstances - such as reduced study
load, change in program, or withdrawal from study – which may impact your eligibility for this scholarship,
• Agree to write a message of thanks to the donor via email to [email protected] within 2
weeks of your offer, and
• Be available for a presentation ceremony during Scholars Week events (usually around September).
This scholarship is for one year of study with a payment of $2000 in each semester of the year of award.

ESTABLISHMENT
Dr Donald McNair, DSc honoris causa, University of Newcastle, lived his entire life in Newcastle. He combined
a career as an auto-electrician with an extraordinary passion for plant taxonomy and ecology. He collected
plant specimens within the Hunter Region, throughout NSW and interstate. His botanical training was
formalized in the late 1950’s by undertaking courses offered by The University of Newcastle, the Workers
Education Association (WEA) and through interactions with plant taxonomists at the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Sydney.

Don McNair’s legacy to teaching and research is the donation of his herbarium now comprising 14,000
specimens to The University of Newcastle. The Don McNair Herbarium was formally opened in 2003 and Don
and his volunteers worked to maintain and expand the collections until his death in 2014. He believed that his
collection “will be vital in recording environmental and plant changes, particularly in response to climate
change”. His donation of the Herbarium and this scholarship was designed to foster postgraduate research in
plant taxonomy, ecology and botanical illustration.

FUNDING ARRANGEMENT
This is a donor-funded scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you will need to:
 • Be enrolled in the final year of your Honours degree where your project involves ecology identification or
illustration of native flora;
• Have a GPA of 6.0 or higher;
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
• Not have previously received this scholarship;
• Not hold another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
As part of your application, you will need to prepare:
• A personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining your academic achievements, career aspirations in
the relevant area of study, and how this scholarship would assist you.
• You have the option to provide up to 3 documents which evidence your academic achievement, such as
awards and acknowledgements, participation in enrichment and travel programs or internships,
academic competitions or challenges, your portfolio and/or cv.
Any applicant that does not submit the required documentation, including documentary evidence, will not be
considered for selection.

SELECTION
Selection is a competitive process and will be based on assessment of the scholarship application and any
required supporting documents. The Selection Committee will take into account prior academic achievement,
community leadership, and involvement with extra-curricular activities.

Selection will be made by the Faculty of Science Selection Committee which will consist of a minimum of three
members chosen by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Science.

The Selection Committee will communicate the details of successful recipients to the delegated Scholarships
Officer, and all applicants will be notified of an outcome via email. This will occur within 6 weeks of the scholarship
close date.

CONDITIONS OF AWARD
If accepting this scholarship, you agree to the following conditions:
• The scholarship is tenable for 1 year. The scholarship must be taken up in the year for which it was
awarded, unless otherwise specified.
• This scholarship is subject to semester review. You will continue to meet relevant eligibility criteria for
the duration of the scholarship including continued enrolment in an approved program and an ongoing
GPA of 5.0 or higher, unless special consideration is approved (see below).
• If your circumstances change in a way that impacts your eligibility (eg, change in study load or
withdrawal from study), you agree to notify [email protected].
• You agree to write a letter of thanks to the donor via email to [email protected] within
2 weeks of accepting your offer. You may also provide contact details and permission for them to
contact you regarding the industry opportunities associated with this scholarship.
• You will be available to attend a presentation ceremony during Scholars Week (usually around
September) where you may have opportunity to meet with donors and/or their representatives.

The University of Newcastle | Scholarship Conditions

BENEFIT
The scholarship provides a benefit of $4,000 to be paid as two lump sums of $2,000 following Semester 1 and
Semester 2 census dates.
The scholarship benefit and number of scholarships awarded may vary and will be determined by the funding
available each year.

PERIODS OF LEAVE
You may apply in writing to [email protected] for consideration to reserve your scholarship if you
are unable to study due to illness, injury, or other extenuating circumstances. An application must be supported by
documentary evidence. Periods of approved leave for the scholarship must not exceed two consecutive
semesters of study and shall not reduce the tenure of the scholarship.

TERMINATION
A scholarship will be finalised when the tenure is completed and full payment has been made. Early termination of
the scholarship may apply if:
• The scholarship conditions are not met, including relevant eligibility criteria maintained;
• The scholar completes study and/or ceases to be a student with University of Newcastle;
• The scholar has committed serious misconduct.

When early termination is required, the Office of Alumni and Philanthropy will be advised and undertake the most
appropriate action in consultation with the Donor/Sponsor and Student Central.

Ongoing scholarships will not be paid out in full in instances where the recipient completes study before the full
scholarship tenure has passed.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
As a scholarship recipient, if you are unable to meet the conditions of the scholarship due to illness, injury or other
extenuating circumstances, you may apply for special consideration. Please apply by writing to the Scholarships
Officer via email to [email protected]. Please provide appropriate documentary evidence to support
your request.

A decision will be made in consultation with the Office of Alumni & Philanthropy.

PRIVACY AND COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

If applying for a donor-funded scholarship, the application or a summary of information provided with the
application may be provided to an external donor and/or their representative. This is for the purpose of scholarship
selection and otherwise to inform the donor that the terms of the donation are met.

You may be asked by the Scholarships Officer if you give permission for any short articles or newsletter items to
be published. You may have the option to provide a photo, quote and or short paragraph about yourself for this.

The University of Newcastle is committed to the protection of your personal information and privacy The University
will only disclose your personal information to the extent necessary for the purpose of the provision of this
scholarship (including scholarship selection and assessing ongoing eligibility requirements).

When applying, please review the Declaration and Authority at the start of your application which includes
additional information in relation to privacy and the collection of personal information and links to the University of
Newcastle Privacy Management Plan, Web Privacy Statement, and UAC Privacy Policy.

The University reserves the right to make amendments to these terms and conditions without prior notice.

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFICER
Student Services Centre

The University of Newcastle | Scholarship Conditions

University of Newcastle
University Drive
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308

Phone: +61 2 4921 5000

Fax: +61 2 4921 5759
Email: [email protected]

Established: November 2019

Revised:

The University of Newcastle | Scholarship Conditions