The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Monash Research Attachment Programme (ARAP)

Overview

Under this programme selected Monash PhD candidates will undertake their PhD studies at both Monash and an A*STAR Research Institute (RI). Students will typically spend up to two (2) years of the programme at an A*STAR RI in Singapore.

Supervision and Funding Arrangements

Each student in the programme shall be supervised by a supervisor (Monash) and a co-supervisor (A*STAR) whilst undertaking PhD studies, leading to submission for a PhD degree awarded by Monash.

A*STAR will fund the students for the living allowances and consumables and bench fees for the duration of their studies at an A*STAR RI.

For each student admitted to the 4-year Programme, A*STAR will pay the following variable costs to Monash:

Living allowances consisting of monthly stipends of S$2,500/- for the period during which they are based at an A*STAR RI;
a one-time airfare grant of S$1,500/- for the student; and
consumables and bench fees incurred by students when they are based at A*STAR RIs in Singapore.

The supervisor of each student shall be responsible for ensuring that the PhD project is of suitable content and level to satisfy the normal expectations of a PhD degree at Monash. The supervisor shall be responsible for monitoring progress throughout the programme and shall liaise with the co-supervisor in order to ensure that satisfactory progress is being made during the student’s periods in Singapore.

Collaboration

The supervisor is required to visit the host A*STAR RI on at least one (1) occasion per year when the student is based at A*STAR RI for a total period not exceeding two (2) weeks per year in order to maintain an adequate level of direct contact with the student, and to host one (1) visit each year of the co-supervisor at Monash when the student is based at Monash.

Both parties will bear the expenses of their own supervisors or co-supervisors for the travel, accommodation and subsistence for the purposes of supervising the respective student(s)

One objective of the programme is to facilitate and encourage research collaboration between the Monash Faculty or Department and researchers in the A*STAR RIs however such collaboration is not obligatory.

Eligibility and Selection

Monash supervisors are invited to consider current and potential research projects and HDR candidates that may benefit from engagement with this A*STAR research attachment program (ARAP). Only a candidate who is already admitted to study a PhD at Monash will be admitted into the programme and receive any funding from A*STAR.

Supervisors, in consultation with the student, should make a preliminary approach to potential co-supervisor at A*STAR and, once a viable project is identified, propose to the Research Graduate School Steering Committee, any candidates that they consider suitable for the programme. These nominations should be endorsed by the Head of School and the faculty associate dean with responsibility for research training.

Monash will then propose to A*STAR a list of candidates suitable for the research attachment programme, and provide a copy of each candidate’s curriculum vitae and academic results. A*STAR, in consultation with Monash, will decide on the final selection of students for the programme through an agreed selection process. A*STAR, in consultation with Monash, will decide on the final selection of students for the programme through an agreed selection process.

More Information

Further details and advice about A*STAR and their research activity is available at http://www.a-star.edu.sg/a_star/2-About-A-STAR

The Monash A*STAR ARAP nomination form is attached.

MRGS Contact: Michelle Cook, Policy and Programs Manager, MRGS
michelle.cook@adm.monash.edu.au