Foundation Endowments

The Municipal Engineering Foundation offers financial members of IPWEA NSW the opportunity to apply for study grants/endowments to further their professional development.

These may take the form of:

i) Long term endowments, to provide for periods of study of approximately three months, for which applications are sought generally, once each year.

ii)Short term endowments for investigation or examination of a specific project or attendance at a Conference, for a period up to four weeks (or longer when agreed). Where applications are for attendance at a Conference, the Trustees require additional investigation to be undertaken.

Please find below more detailed information on how to apply for an endowment and the minimum requirements.

Minimum Qualification For Grants/Endowments

To apply for an endowment you must meet the following criteria:

1. Minimum age twenty five years (25).

2. Applicants must be a member of the Institute of Municipal Engineering Australia - NSW Division, for a minimum period of two (2) years.

3. Applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years practical experience in a supervisory capacity either in Local Government Engineering or in work associated therewith.

Undertakings

In addition to the above criteria, a number of undertakings are required to be given by successful applicants to ensure that the benefits of study research and experience can be made available to other members and to the industry.

For endowments, the undertakings are -

a) To continue in employment in Local Government in New South Wales for a minimum of two (2) years following the Endowment Study.

b) To deposit with the Secretary of the Foundation within six (6) months of the Endowment Study, two (2) copies of a Report of the study, research, investigation, practices, techniques or conference attendance undertaken or seen during the visit and to vest the copyright of such a report in the Trustees on behalf of the Foundation and should take the form of either an article suitable for publication in the Institute's Journal or a technical report suitable for distribution to the Institute's members.

c) To deliver a Paper to the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia - NSW Division Annual Conference, as arranged with the IPWEA - NSW Division Executive Manager.

d) That no investigation on behalf of any body or bodies will be undertaken without the express consent of the Trustees and subject if consent is given, to such a Body depositing the additional cost involved with the Trustees prior to commencement of the endowment.

e) That the Endowee accept the mode of travel determined by the Trustees provided that with the consent of the Trustees an alternative method of travel may be adopted subject to any additional cost being borne by the Endowee.

f) That no claim will be made against the Foundation or the Trustees for any costs or expenses incurred additional to the amount of the endowment.

How to Apply

Applications are to be made by letter addressed to:

The Secretary
Municipal Engineering Foundation
Level 12, 447 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Applications are to include:

• Full name, age, address, employer, position occupied.
  
• Membership details of the IPWEA - NSW Division.
  
• The application should clearly set down each matter to be investigated or conference to be attended together with reasons for that investigation. It should state where and with whom this will occur, and generally set down the time to be devoted to it. This item must contain enough information to satisfy the Trustees that the applicant has a clear understanding of what is proposed.
  
• Outline for work or research done in Australia by the applicant and information gained regarding the matters to be investigated.
  
• Brief details of experience.
  
• A statement giving undertakings above and any other as may be required.
  
• Educational and professional qualifications.
  
• Details of the applicant's engineering experience and work, including work on professional committees.
  
• List of Committees or Associations other than professional on which the applicant has worked.
  
• List of sporting and social activities.
  
• Any other matters in furtherance of the application (each such matters to be given a sub-reference to this paragraph and each to be separate.)
  
• A costing of the amount sought and duration of absence.
  
• Telephone or contact number.
  
• Details of any assistance granted or likely to be granted to the applicant by his/her employer towards the cost of the project proposed to be undertaken.

General Conditions and Information

All Municipal Engineering Foundation grants/endowments are subject to the following general conditions:

i) Applications for a grant may be made by any member of the IPWEA - NSW Division who can fulfil the conditions laid down.

ii) Applications may be made by a member or by the employer Council (subject to preparation of the application by nominee).

iii) Endowment investigations may be conducted in one or more areas or countries and may include a Conference "of standing".

iv) The endowment visit must be commenced within six months from the date of notification of the grant unless an extension is granted by the Trustees.

v) Applicants are reminded of the importance of the presentation of the original application.

vi) Selection of matters for investigation is wholly in the hands of the applicant but a particular Conference attendance may be proposed from time to time. In granting an endowment regard will be paid to the matters to be investigated, their importance to Local Government Engineering and the work carried out by the applicant in gaining information on the subject in Australia.

vii) Applications should be submitted as early as possible as some time is needed to prepare them for selection.

viii) Grants may be applied for at any time and/or as notified but sufficient time must be allowed to enable applications to be considered. A minimum of two (2) months before the start of the visit is necessary and longer time is desirable.