Getting funding for doctoral degrees is definitely a challenge. Without the support of the private sector or personal funds, being able to afford 3+ years of tuition fees and living costs is not easy to manage. Having funding support from your study destination is exactly what PhD candidates are so needed of and the New Zealand government is promoting exactly that!

The New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS) are funded by the New Zealand Government. Recipients are selected upon Academic Merit and the NZIDRS provides full tuition fees, plus living and other allowances for successful applicants.

NZIDRS scholarships include:

• Full tuition fees for three years of full-time doctoral study
• NZ$25,000 per annum living allowance (NZ$2,083.33 per month).
• Up to NZ$600 annual health insurance allowance
• NZ$2,000 (across 3 year tenure) travel allowance. This is intended to be used for conference attendance and field research
• NZ$800 (across 3 year tenure) book and thesis allowance
• NZ$500 one-off establishment allowance. Only to be paid to those students who are travelling to NZ specifically to take up the NZIDRS. No student already located in NZ is eligible to receive this amount.

Additional funds are not available to support accompanying dependants.

Evidence of available supervision

You will need to provide evidence that academic supervision is available when you apply for this scholarship. Applicants should ensure that their proposed (New Zealand based) Supervisor completes the relevant page within the NZIDRS Application form.

NZIDRS application close date

The NZIDRS next closes to applications on Monday the 16th of July 2012. Please note that NZIDRS applications received after the closing date and/or incomplete applications will not be considered by the selection panel under any circumstances. This is non-negotiable.

Find out more

• New Zealand offers a stimulating and internationally trusted academic environment in an exceptional living conditions! Read more about studying in New Zealand and search for PhD courses.
• If you’re interested in applying for the NZIDRS, please download the 2012 Terms & Conditions (pdf), Application form (Word) and FAQ (pdf).
• If you have questions about the NZIDR scholarships, please contact the Education New Zealand Scholarships Manager - scholarships@educationnz.govt.nz