The Mary and Carl Leonard International Relations Award

Student type:

• Current domestic students
• Current domestic research staff

Eligibility:

• Academic performance

Study type:

• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate research

Faculty/area:

• Business
• Creative Industries
• Education
• Health
• Law
• Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI)
• Science and Engineering
• Institute for Future Environments

Closing date: 31 July 2013

Study or research abroad

For the study or research abroad component you must:

• be enrolled at QUT, or be employed by QUT if you are an early career researcher
• have completed at least 96 credit points when you apply (if you are an undergraduate student)
• have at least 48 credit points to complete when you return from your international placement
• have at least 1 semester of your appointment remaining when you apply (if you are an early career researcher)
• have a GPA of 5.5 or, in the case of research students and early career researchers, demonstrate satisfactory research progress
• have approval from your course coordinator (or supervisor, in the case of research students and early career researchers) for the overseas study program
• be planning a minimum 12-week study program overseas. Research programs may vary depending on the discipline
• be able to undertake the international component of the award while enrolled at QUT.

International volunteering or work experience

For the international volunteering or work experience component you must:

• be enrolled at QUT
• have completed at least 96 credit points when you apply (if you are an undergraduate student)
• have at least 48 credit points to complete when you return from your international placement
• have a GPA of 5.5
• have approval from your course coordinator or the Manager, Careers and Employment Service, for the work experience or volunteer program if applying for course credit
• be planning a minimum 6-week international volunteer or work experience assignment with an organisation approved by Student Support Services or the Manager of the Careers and Employment Service
• be able to start your international volunteer or work experience assignment while enrolled at QUT.

You'll receive:

• funding (e.g. $5,000) to support your participation in an approved program.

The scholarship will not fund:

• conference attendance alone. You can only receive a grant if you are presenting at the conference detailed in your application.

The total award allocation is $10,000 per year.

International volunteering

If you are applying on the grounds of international volunteering, you must:

• download and complete the application form
  • application form as a Microsoft Word document (DOC file, 179 KB)
  • application form as a PDF (PDF file, 86.92 KB)
• explain how the award would contribute to your professional and personal growth and what you could then contribute to the community as a result
• provide an approved project plan from a recognised volunteer agency by the due date. Examples of volunteer agencies include, but are not limited to:
  • Projects Abroad
  • World Youth International
  • AYAD
  • Global Volunteer Network
  • International Volunteers for Peace
  • Antipodeans Abroad
  • Youth Challenge Australia
• provide documentation of being accepted into the relevant volunteer program or organisation
• provide evidence of leadership experience and qualities
• attach your plan and documentation to the application form and submit it to the University Scholarships Coordinator by the closing date.

Research abroad

If you are applying on the grounds of research abroad, you must:

• download and complete the application form
  • application form as a Microsoft Word document (DOC file, 179 KB)
  • application form as a PDF (PDF file, 86.92 KB)
• provide a project outline that shows:
  • the impact you hope to achieve in lesser developed countries
  • costs
  • motivation
  • length
  • purpose of travel
• provide a letter of recommendation from relevant QUT program coordinators or faculty staff supporting your application
• provide evidence of leadership experience and qualities
• attach your plan and documentation to the application form and submit it to the University Scholarships Coordinator by the closing date.

Presenting at a conference

If you are applying for funds to present at a conference, you must also provide:

• the official letter of invitation to present a clear description as to how this conference relates to your degree or research
• any additional documentation to support this activity.

A selection panel will meet to consider applications in August and successful applicants will be notified in early September 2013.

The selection panel will consist of:

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International and Development (chair)
• a professor (research)
• a professor (teaching).

They will select candidates based on:

• the quality of the application
• an interview (if applicable)
• alignment of the planned project with Leonard's Purpose of Gift Statement.

The selection panel has the discretion to select the applicant that they believe is most in line with the donors' original intent, based on:

• the applicant's skills, knowledge and characteristics
• the planned overseas travel activity.

This award has come to QUT through the generosity of Mary and Carl Leonard, who have devoted their lives to working in developing countries.

The lives of Carl, 86, and Mary, 100, have embodied the spirit of adventure, fascination with different cultures, and dedication to community service that the Carl and Mary Leonard Award fosters in young people.

They have pledged almost $1 million to the university to help carry on their good work.

QUT Alumni and Development director Simone Garske said: "We have established the Mary and Carl Leonard Endowment Fund to finance an annual scholarship for students who show leadership qualities to enable them to study or work overseas. Ultimately, the Leonards' gift will benefit the global community as well as QUT's students."