La Trobe University Postgraduate Association Inc. (LUPA)

Member Benefits

Small Grants Scheme

LUPA offers a number of small grants to postgraduates at La Trobe University. The small grants scheme supports postgraduates by funding activities of benefit to postgraduates groups that would not normally be funded by the University.

LUPA offers four small grants, two per semester to four different communities:

• General small grants are targeted at postgraduate students groups who have a defined commonality of interest (for example, discipline, course, school, faculty, campus or other),
• Women’s small grants are targeted at postgraduate student groups who identify with female communities with special needs,
• Indigenous small grants are targeted at postgraduate students groups who are Indigenous to Australia, and
• Queer small grants are targeted at postgraduate student groups who identify with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual or intersex communities.

Eligibility

Postgraduates who are currently enrolled in a postgraduate course and who are members of LUPA are eligible to apply for small grants of less than $250.

Grants may be applied for by groups of postgraduates with a defined commonality of interest.

Exclusions

These grants are not designed to replace those areas of responsibility that Faculties have for the provision of Academic Services and Resources to postgraduate students. For details about these responsibilities see the Handbook for Candidates and Supervisors for Masters Degrees by Research and Doctoral Degrees and the Postgraduate Coursework Handbook.

Projects and events are to be of group benefit and hence will not be available to specific individuals for conference or travel costs, although individuals as a representative of a postgraduate group that will benefit from the grant may apply on behalf of the group.

While grants to individuals are excluded, speaker’s fees may be a funded activity as these will benefit an audience of postgraduate students.

Grant Decision-Making Process

The LUPA committee will decide grants.

Applicants may be asked for further information if required. Decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into about the process of the decisions.

Upon receipt of a tax invoice, LUPA will refund the payee. If you do not present LUPA with a valid receipt, you will not be refunded for the cost of the event. If you have any queries or require further clarification, please contact our Director of Services, Frank van Groeningen via email (f.vangroeningen@latrobe.edu.au).

Reports of completed projects are to be addressed to the LUPA Committee and sent to the LUPA office within one month of completion of the funded event.

How to Apply

Download the small grants application form and return the completed form to the LUPA office. If you require further information, please contact the LUPA Office either by phone on 9479 2438 or email lupaoffice@latrobe.edu.au.

The cut-off date for grant applications is close of business on the Friday in weeks four and eight of Semester one, and the Friday in weeks four and eight of Semester two.