Faculty of Arts

Special Studies Program (Long) - Guidelines

What is SSP (Long)?

The Special Studies Program (Long) program allows for absences from academic duty for a period greater than two months and up to and including six months. The Faculty's SSP (Long) guidelines are consistent with those specified in the Human Resources Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual.

Applicants to the Faculty scheme are required to read the above section of the Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual.

Note that there is no necessity to include overseas travel in SSP (Long), which is primarily designed to assist staff with specific research time. Overseas travel will be considered for funding where it is clear that it is an essential precondition for completing the planned research work.

Requests for periods of leave of less than two months duration are considered under the Faculty's SSP (Short) Scheme.

Applicants should prepare their application in accordance with the Faculty's Academic Staff Leave Policy.

Am I eligible?

Eligibility for the scheme is prescribed in section 12.5 of the Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual, and in the following

Selection Criteria

Applications to the Faculty's SSP (Long) Scheme are assessed by the Faculty's SSP (Long) Committee on the following criteria:

1. Have the University's service requirements been met?

Refer to section 12.5 of the Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual.

2. Does the proposed program have merit?

Refer to section 12.5 of the Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual.

3. Has the applicant met the Faculty's definition of 'Research Active'?

As the major form of leave to conduct research, SSP (Long), is intended to primarily benefit staff with an active and consistent research record, taking into consideration opportunity and early career status.  In approving a submission for SSP (Long), the Head of School is requested to provide explicit advice on the recent research performance of applicants.

In providing this advice, Heads should note that for several years up till 2006, the Faculty had an expected standard of of publications equal to 2 DEST points on average per year.  From late 2006, this expectation was increased, distinguishing between different levels of appointment.

For the first round of applications in 2008 (for leave in 2009), it is intended that the SSP (Long) Committee will be guided by the earlier of these definitions of "research active", as well as the advice of Heads about the circumstances of their staff.

Normally, staff who do not meet the expected standard of 2 DEST points on average per year will not be considered for SSP (Long), and it is not expected that these applications would come forward to the Faculty.

Heads of School have the discretion to make a case in exceptional circumstances.

When can I apply?

Applications are submitted twice yearly as follows:

What should my application include?

Applications should be submitted using the Faculty's SSP Long Application Form.

Applicants are required to submit a copy of the report form their last SSP (Long) with the current application.

Should my School review my application?

Applicants should submit their application to their Head of School for recommendation two weeks prior to submission of application to Faculty. In reviewing applications School Managers are requested to:

In assessing applications Heads are requested to:

Six (6) copies and the original of each application endorsed by the Head must be submitted to Faculty no later than the nominated closing date listed above.

Applications should be forwarded to:

Allison Dutka
Research Support Officer
Teaching and Research
Faculty of Arts
Room 202, Old Arts Building
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010
T: +61 3 8344 6461
E: adutka@unimelb.edu.au

Are there additional requirements?

Applicants are required submit an SSP (Long) Advice & Action Form to Faculty 8 weeks prior to departure on SSP (Long).

The Advice & Action Form provides Human Resources with the dates of the SSP (L) leave, the travel grant payable, travel allowance and any additional school financial support. Applicants must include on the SSP (Long) Advice and Action Form the Annual Leave days to be taken at the commencement of SSP (Long) as specified in Faculty's letter approving leave. The Advice & Action Form must be endorsed by the Head of School before being submitted to Faculty.  All Forms must be submitted to Allison Dutka, Staff Support Officer, not to the Dean in the first instance (unless the applicant is also Head of School) or Human Resources.

Please note: Delays in the submission of SSP (Long) Advice & Action Form to Faculty for approval may result in delays in payment of grant moneys.

Do I need to report on my program?

Upon return from SSP (Long) applicants must:

Reports are forwarded to Human Resources for record.

What if I miss the closing date?

Out-of-round applications are considered by the Associate Dean (Research) on behalf of the Faculty's SSP (Long) Committee. Applications submitted after the closing date should include a cover letter from the Head/Director in support of the late application.

Enquiries

Enquiries may be directed to:

Allison Dutka
Research Support Officer
Teaching and Research
Faculty of Arts
Room 202, Old Arts Building
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010
T: +61 3 8344 6461
E: adutka@unimelb.edu.au

For further information on University travel visit the University Travel Information page.

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