John and Eric Smyth Travelling Scholarship (Alumni)

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

• be under 30 years of age at the  time of commencing an application
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• have (or be close to completing*) one or more of:
  • an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne
  • a Master of Teaching (any stream) at the University of Melbourne
  • a Master of Education at the University of Melbourne
• demonstrate an aptitude as a teacher or lecturer and an ability to research education (note: this may be demonstrated through strong performances in Professional Practice subjects completed as a part of your teaching qualification)
• demonstrate to the University the potential to enrich the teaching profession and the work of the Faculty of Education by study abroad

* You may apply if you are within one year of graduating.  The scholarship money cannot be paid until you have graduated, which means the program of travel you apply for must be after your date of graduation.

Selection criteria

You can apply to use the scholarship in a variety of ways:

• to support a study program overseas to study education and allied subjects at a university
• study education systems at work through a study tour
• study a subject or problem which is directly related to the work of a teacher, or which will help in the advancement of education
• take a professional development course/program that relates to your work as an educator

Applicants will be assessed by a panel of three Faculty of Education academics on the merit of their application.

To assess your potential as a researcher or teacher, the selection panel needs to evaluate your teaching and/or research potential. Some applicants will have a strong background in teaching, and others in research. Equal weighting will be given to each.  If you have strengths in both areas, each of these will be taken into account.

Conditions

It is a condition of the scholarship that you return to Australasia within three years of the termination of the scholarship and hold a position in the field of education for a minimum of two years.  Failing which the recipient is to repay half the scholarship within four years of its termination.  As part of your application, you need to outline your intentions in this regard.

If you do not undertake formal study at a university overseas, you will write and present an 8,000 to 10,000 word report to the Faculty of Education.

John Smyth’s stated in his Will that he wishes the winner to remember John Smyth and his son Eric Smyth throughout their career, and, once they have established themselves, to contribute back to the John and Eric Smyth travelling fund and so perpetuate the spirit which originated the fund.

The application process is as follows:

• Submit an online application.  The application form will be available when the scholarship opens
• Only applicants who confirm they meet the eligibility criteria above will be able to complete and submit an application
• In order to be considered you will need to provide a full and detailed response to all the questions
• Applications will be considered by a panel of three academic staff members
• Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview, referees contacted and/or further information request
• For any questions regarding this scholarship, please submit an enquiry here.

Application questions include:

• confirmation that you meet the eligibility criteria (listed above)
• your personal rational for applying for this scholarship
• a brief curriculum vitae
• a detailed explanation of your planned study program, including proposed dates, location, course details (if applicable)
• your motivation for this line of enquiry
• your prior academic record
• detailed information relating to the research/study you wish to explore and how this will benefit Australian education
• the benefit of your research/study to the Faculty of Education
• how you intend to utilise knowledge gained on return to Australia to benefit the education system
• proposed budget including travel costs, accommodation and tuition (the selection panel understands that prices can change, especially travel costs.  If you are awarded the scholarship you can update this information for the selection panel, with reference to the firm bookings you have made).
• name and contact details of up to two referees

Outcome available by mid January 2024 at the latest.

John Smyth

John Smyth (pronounced Smith) was the first Professor of Education at the University of Melbourne.  He set up the John and Eric Smyth Travelling Scholarship to commemorate his son Eric, a medical student, who died from an accidental poisoning by carbon monoxide in the bathroom when he was only 23.  John donated the sum that would have paid for Eric’s education and post-graduate study abroad on top of what he set aside originally to establish this fund.  His wish was that the recipient be of excellent character and that they be force for good and that they be possessed of a strong desire to uplift humanity