Published: 17 October 2013

Additional information

New Zealand Development Scholarships must be taken in the year for which they are offered and cannot be transferred to the next academic year.

If offered a scholarship, travel to New Zealand is subject to a visa being issued by Immigration New Zealand.

Information on NZDS allowances and entitlements, and conditions of the NZDS, is provided on the scholarships pages of the New Zealand Aid Programme’s website: http://www.aid.govt.nz/funding-and-contracts/scholarships/types-scholarship/new-zealand-development-scholarships

The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs while in New Zealand, and airfares. Applicants may also be entitled to return travel to their home country to see dependant family members under the Reunion Airfare Entitlement. Scholarship awardees are eligible to work part time, and the partners of students are eligible for a work visa that allows them to live and work in New Zealand for the duration of their partner’s study. However, there is no additional funding provided for the awardee’s family members to support family members accompany the awardee to New Zealand.

Applicants must not seek or apply for New Zealand or Australian permanent residency or a work permit while on scholarship or in the two years following completion of the scholarship.

Note: The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has the right to make a final decision on the offering of scholarships. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has the right to amend terms and conditions of New Zealand Aid Programme scholarships. Amendments will be posted on the website http://www.aid.govt.nz/funding-and-contracts/scholarships

Published: 17 October 2013

Selection criteria

In addition to the eligibility criteria above, candidates’ applications will be considered against the following selection criteria:

• the proposed study programme links to an identified priority sustainable economic development sector for their home country eg agriculture, disaster risk management or renewable energy;
  
  
• the applicant clearly demonstrates the developmental relevance and applicability of their proposed study programme to the human resource development training needs of their country;
  
  
• the applicant has a strong academic background. Applicants for postgraduate study must hold a recognised Bachelors degree of good standard. (Note: Preference is given to candidates who do not already hold a degree from a developed country);
  
  
• consideration of gender equity, including efforts to ensure the scholarships are offered equitably between male and female candidates;
• the applicant must not have applied for New Zealand or Australian permanent residency;
  
  
• the applicant clearly demonstrates their links and commitment to their home country (e.g. services to their community, ability to influence change in a key development sector etc), supported by references. The proposed study programme must be relevant to:

• recent paid and/or unpaid (volunteer) work experiences ;
• the training needs of the employing organisation; and
• identified employment opportunities on completion of their study.
• consideration of other factors which will contribute to the success of their studies (e.g. good character, positive study attitude and motivation to succeed).

Published: 17 October 2013

Application process

In order for the application to be considered, applicants must:

• complete an NZDS application form (available from a New Zealand Embassy, http://www.aid.govt.nz/, or New Zealand education institutions);
  
  
• indicate the level and field of study required, and the preferred education institution (For more information on study options in New Zealand please visit the institute’s webpage.);
  
  
• attach to the application form an original or certified copy of the documents necessary to substantiate educational qualifications (i.e. full academic transcript and completion certificate), and an official translation of each document in English;
  
  
• attach to the application form three references (no more than 24 months old) on official letterhead, supporting the application to study in New Zealand under a NZDS. One reference should be from a current employer and one from a former academic supervisor or lecturer;
  
  
• ensure the relevant section of the application form has been signed and stamped by their employer;
  
  
• ensure all other relevant supporting documents have been included, including the original and current IELTS or TOEFL exam result; and
  
  
• forward the completed original application form and all relevant supporting documentation, plus one photocopy of the completed application form and all supporting documents, to the New Zealand education institute where you wish to complete your study.

All applications must be completed in English, with certified true copies of official English translations (where the original document is not in English) attached to the NZDS application form and must be received by the preferred New Zealand education institute by 2 December 2013.

Once received by the New Zealand institute:

• The relevant education institution will assess each application for admission to the institution. Applicants who meet the institution’s admission criteria will have their application sent on to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for consideration.
• The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will consider all submitted New Zealand Development Scholarships applications for selection.
• Some candidates may be interviewed as part of the selection process.
• The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will advise the institution of the outcome in March 2014.
• The education institution will inform successful candidates in April 2014, and then assist them with their travel arrangements to New Zealand.
• Successful candidates commence their studies in July 2014.