The College of Science and Medicine recognises that inequities exist in the opportunities that HDR students have to focus on their research for 48 weeks per year. These inequities arise from the diversity in our HDR cohort - a diversity that the College of Science and Medicine benefits from, and wants to increase and celebrate. To do so, the CoS has thus put in place equity measures that provide HDR students who need them with scholarship extensions. These extensions match the benefits of the inclusive leave policy available to staff in ANU's Enterprise Agreement, and complement the program leave options available to all HDR students.

Short Extensions

These extensions are automatically granted for: 

• Caring responsibilities (up to 10 days per year)

• Bereavement (up to 5 days)

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural responsibilities (as required)

Request procedure: email (once a year) from the candidate’s supervisor or their School HDR administrator to the Associate Dean HDR (adhdr.cos@anu.edu.au) and the Associate Dean IDEA (adidea.cos@anu.edu.au) containing basic information about the reason and length of the extension needed.

Note that there is no need to provide detailed information or justification. These short extensions are provided on the basis of trust, and with the aim to reduce stress for HDR candidates and their supervisors.

Medium Extensions

These extensions are granted for: 

• Gender affirmation procedures (6 weeks)

• Domestic violence (as required)

Request procedure: email from the HDR candidate, their supervisor, or their  School HDR administrator to the Associate Dean IDEA (adidea.cos@anu.edu.au), followed by a discussion.

The AD IDEA discusses the extension with the candidate, as well as other forms of support that may be needed. These extensions are provided with the aim of giving holistic support to the HDR candidate.

Long Extensions

These extensions are given for up to three months for:

• Any life event that interrupted the PhD work.

Request procedure: email from the candidate’s supervisor or their School HDR administrator to the Associate Dean HDR (adhdr.cos@anu.edu.au) and the Associate Dean IDEA (adidea.cos@anu.edu.au) containing as much information and supporting evidence as possible.

The College of Science and Medicine aims to have such extensions granted as equitably as possible across its Schools. To do so, a committee evaluates requests for long extensions four times a year. Considering the available budget, the committee selects the most deserving applications. Along with equity considerations, the committee pays particular attention to the candidate’s progress, and to their ability to use the extension to submit their thesis.

This committee includes Associate Deans and Associate Directors with expertise in HDR supervision and/or Equity measures.