Global Independent Research

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework student enrolled in research units at Monash, you may be eligible to undertake research towards your degree overseas. Global Independent Research is an experience which allows you to gain new skills and build your professional network through structured research abroad. If you are a PhD student wishing to research overseas towards your degree, see Graduate Research.

How does it work?

Global Independent Research (GIR) involves enrolling in a research unit or experience overseas, under the supervision of a host academic at a Monash Exchange or Study Abroad partner institution.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a research unit or completing research towards a hurdle requirement at Monash. If you are not enrolled in research for credit or as a hurdle requirement, you may be eligible to register your research activity as a co-curricular program.

The research experience can be initiated by you, by a Monash faculty member wishing to support your academic collaboration, or through a structured program, such as MURPA (more information below).

Endorsement from a Monash Supervisor, Program Manager, Exchange Coordinator or Faculty Administrator must be obtained prior to registering your experience with Monash Abroad

Where can I go and what can I learn?

By doing research abroad you have an opportunity to gain a range of discipline-specific and transferable skills that will benefit your academic studies and career. Where you go and what you learn will be determined by your research area, the skills and experience you wish to gain.

How much does it cost?

Host universities may charge administrative or registration fees to visiting students. In some cases, these fees can be waived under the terms of an existing agreement between Monash and that institution.

Eligibility

To apply, you should:

• be enrolled in a Monash degree, and in a research unit or undertaking a hurdle requirement towards which your overseas experience will count;
• obtain support or supervision from a Monash academic for the overseas research experience;
• ensure the research activity takes place at a recognised university or institute outside of Australia (i.e. an accredited university or government approved research institute);
• meet the requirements of the host institution/program provider to be a visiting researcher or student

Note: If you are choosing to enrol in research units as part of a Semester Exchange or Study Abroad program, there is no need to apply for Research Abroad.

How to apply

• If not going through a structured program (e.g. MURPA), contact your faculty and/or supervisor to discuss GIR options, research proposal and ethics approval processes with your Monash supervisor and/or faculty.
• If you are approved to complete a GIR activity, your faculty will provide you with an application link. This application must be completed at least 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the overseas program Important note: Monash Abroad is unable to accept incomplete ‘pending’ applications or applications not endorsed by your Faculty.
• If your faculty confirms your eligibility and credit arrangement, apply directly to the host institution for entry into their research program. Some hosts may have an online application process. If not, you will have to request the appropriate forms be sent to you. The host is responsible for making the final decision on your acceptance into their program. If arranging through a structured program, you will be required to follow the application instructions provided by the relevant Program Manager.
• Once you are accepted by the host institution, forward the acceptance letter/evidence to your faculty. Your faculty will manually enrol you into the associated unit and change your MAP application status to 'Accepted and Enrolled by Faculty'. You will receive an email to your student account to confirm this status change.
• Finalise all host institution or program requirements. Arrange your visa, flight and accommodation.
• A copy of your transcript must be provided by you or the host to your faculty in order for you to receive credit for your GIR activity. There is usually NO transfer of marks from your studies done on summer or winter schools (the exception is for study done for agreed upon credit to an Honours year or language study); only the credit load undertaken will be credited to your Monash degree.