Operating Funds
The Research Office or an organisation that is funding a research project at CSU, may be able to provide funds to meet the costs directly associated with a student's research program. These funds, sometimes referred to as operating funds, maintenance allowance or resource allowance are provided as part of a scholarship.
The use of and the amount of funds available is determined by prevailing Research Office policy or the funding agreement with the external organisation. The funds are placed in an administering school or research centre and the administrative staff in the school/research centre assist the student to access the funds. The student and the supervisory team are to consult on the use of these funds.
An important part of postgraduate training for a research student is to learn skills of project budgeting and management and students need to plan for the use of the funds made available to them.
Those students without a scholarship that provides funding for research expenses can seek funding through a school, faculty or research centre and should consult with their supervisor about the possibility of attaining such assistance.
In addition to the funds for a student's research project, those higher degree research students enrolled by distance education who have a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place can access two travel assistance grants each year to meet with their principal supervisor during the period of their RTS entitlement. The Travel Assistance Grants are available through the Research Office. Please contact the Research Office for more information.