Doctoral research and travel scholarships

Carole Ada Cliff Doctoral Scholarship

Faculty of Arts and Education

A $5,500 Scholarship to support a full-time first year DocFA or PhD student.

Craig Memorial Award

Faculty of Science

A $4,000 Award for a Māori student enrolled in a Masters or PhD programme in the School of Environment or the Department of Mathematics.

David M. Emanuel Research Scholarship in Accounting & Finance

Business School

A $5,000 Scholarship to support an international or domestic student enrolled in postgraduate research in Accounting and Finance.

DELNA PhD Scholarship

All faculties

A $10,000 Scholarship to support an international or domestic PhD candidate researching a topic in language assessment relevant to DELNA.

Edna and Denis Moloney Scholarship

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

Up to $20,000 in Scholarships to assist sub-doctoral postgraduate or doctoral students undertaking research in a medical field.

Elizabeth Ewing Memorial Scholarship in Adolescent and Young Adult Health

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts and Education

A $5,000 Scholarship to support a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident enrolled full-time or part-time in postgraduate research focussing on adolescent and young adult health.

Emma Waterhouse Award for Women in Natural Science

Faculty of Science

A $5,000 Scholarship to support women students undertaking study or research in the natural sciences.

Energy and Fuels Research Scholarship

Faculty of Engineering and Design

A $5,000 Scholarship for international and domestic students enrolled full-time in a Masters or PhD in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Evelyn Constance Alexander Scholarship in German

Faculty of Arts and Education

A Scholarship of up to $5,000 to encourage the study of German at undergraduate or postgraduate level by a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Fred and Helen Hanan Endowed Scholarship in Chinese Studies

Faculty of Arts and Education

Scholarships up to a total of $40,000 to support international or domestic postgraduate students majoring in Chinese Studies who are in financial need.

Frederick Douglas Brown Postgraduate Science Research Scholarship

Faculty of Science

Two $10,000 Scholarships to support postgraduate study in Chemistry and Physics.

HC Russell Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

A Scholarship of up to  $10,000 for PhD level full-time study in Optometry by a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

Heather Leaity Memorial Award

Faculty of Science

A $1,000 Award to assist a student enrolled in the first year of a PhD in Marine Science with research expenses.

HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing Scholarship

All faculties

A Scholarship of up to $6,000 for full-time or part-time masters thesis or dissertation or PhD thesis research in the field of ageing. Applications will be accepted from a wide range of disciplines in line with the HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing’s objectives of encouraging and supporting multi-disciplinary innovative academic research into the concept of Positive Ageing and the necessity for good ageing.

The Jackson Family Foundation Scholarship

All faculties

Scholarships of up to $12,000 each to support women students of Cook Island descent enrolled full-time in any year of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

James Fawcett New Zealand Herpetofaunal Postgraduate Research Award

Faculty of Science

Awards totallying $15,000 to assist postgraduate students with research expenses related to a research project with a focus on New Zealand native reptiles and/or amphibians.

J D Sinclair Postgraduate Award in Physiology

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

An Award to support a PhD candidate in Physiology who previously completed an honours or masters degree in the Department of Physiology.

John Cowie Reid Memorial Drama Scholarship

Faculty of Arts and Education

A $5,000 Scholarship to support a full-time or part-time postgraduate student in Drama who is a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Keith Sinclair Memorial Scholarship

Faculty of Arts and Education

A Scholarship of up to $14,000 for a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident undertaking a PhD the History of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Kelliher Economics Foundation PhD Scholarship in Economics

Business School

A Scholarship of up to $15,000 pa for up to three years, to assist a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident who is enrolled full-time in a PhD in Economics.

Margaret Tudor South Scholarship in Chinese

Faculty of Arts and Education

Scholarships up to a total of $10,000 are available to support New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate study in Chinese or Asian Studies with a Chinese focus.

The Marie Clay Literacy Trust Trainer Doctoral Scholarship

Faculty of Arts and Education

A Scholarship of up to $70,000 pa for research related to Reading Recovery as part of PhD or EdD in the Faculty of Arts and Education.

Mercer Memorial Scholarship

Faculty of Engineering and Design

A Scholarship to support a postgraduate student carrying out research in a field related to aeronautics.

Read about the 2021 recipient of the Scholarship at PhD student awarded two scholarships in aerospace and aeronautics engineering.

Michael Redshaw Historical Instrument Performance Scholarship

Faculty of Arts and Education

A Scholarship of up to $5,000 for an international or domestic student undertaking postgraduate research in Music, focusing on the area of historical performance.

Myra and Eric McCormick Scholarship in History

Faculty of Arts and Education

Scholarships up to a total of $25,000 for a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident enrolled full-time in a PhD in the History of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Professor Robert Solomon Memorial Award

Faculty of Arts and Education

An Award to support an international or domestic BA(Hons) graduate now enrolled in an MA or PhD in Philosophy.

Professor Terry Sturm Award in New Zealand and Australian Literature

Faculty of Arts and Education

An Award to support an international or domestic student enrolled full-time in a BA(Hons), PGDipArts, MA MLitt, or PhD in English with a specialisation in New Zealand or Australian literature.

R N Brothers Memorial Award

Faculty of Science

An Award of up to $5,000 to assist a postgraduate research student to undertake field-based geological research in New Zealand or the South West Pacific.

Rotary Club of Newmarket 75th Anniversary Hauraki Gulf Environment Postgraduate Award

All faculties

An Award of up to $14,000 to support masters or PhD research with the potential to improve the natural environment of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands and environs.

Stanley Wishart Low Memorial Scholarship in Marine Science

Faculty of Science

A Scholarship of up to $6,000 pa for up to three years, for a domestic or international student enrolled full-time in a PhD in Marine Science.

Te Wānanga o Waipapa Postgraduate Award

Faculty of Arts and Education

Up to $10,000 in Awards for Māori students or Pacific students enrolled full-time or part-time in either a postgraduate Bachelors (Honours) degree, a PGDip, masters degree, PhD or EdD in the Faculty of Arts and Education.

University of Auckland Scholarship in General Practice

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

A Scholarship of up to $10,000 to support a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident undertaking postgraduate research in the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care.

Vicki St John Postgraduate Award for Māori and Pacific Island Students

Business School

A $5,000 Award to support Māori and Pacific students who are enrolled full-time or part-time in postgraduate study in the Business School.

Buchanan Dance Research Residency Award

Faculty of Arts and Education

Awards of up to $30,000 in total to support New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents enrolled in a PhD in Dance Studies to engage in extended residencies abroad while undertaking their PhD.

Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust PhD Research Travel Award

All faculties

An Award to support a final year PhD student, who is a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, with the costs of travel for research in a medical related field.

Search our comprehensive scholarships database for an up-to-date list of all the scholarships and awards available to future and current University of Auckland students.

ACSPRI Fellowship Program

PhD candidates are invited to apply for the 2026-27 ACSPRI Fellowship Program. Valued at $25,000, the fellowship will help PhD students to achieve their career goals, by providing direct financial support and professional development opportunities. Read more and apply at ACSPRI Fellowship Program.

Ag Emissions Centre PhD Scholarships

Ag Emissions Centre PhD Scholarships are an opportunity to contribute to New Zealand’s agricultural sector and join a vibrant research network. Applicants with a genuine passion for climate-related emissions reduction, and who have initiative and confidence, and who  are committed to contributing to the New Zealand science or primary sector in the long term, are encouraged to apply.

The Scholarship comprises a tax-free annual stipend of $44,000 per year, for up to three years, tuition fees of up to $10,000 per year, contribution towards research and publications costs of up to $10,000, a travel allowance of up to $5,000 to present at an international conference, and a capability development programme where you meet other students and industry experts to help you develop skills beyond the technical, such as communication, commercialisation and leadership.

Antarctica New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarships

Applications for 2026 open 9 February and close at 5pm on Monday 16 March 2026

Ella Yelich-O’Connor Antarctic Doctoral Scholarship

Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde) spent just over a week at Scott Base in 2019; visiting scientists in the field, learning more about Antarctica’s role in the global earth system and the impact climate change is having on the frozen continent. Following her trip, she has created a memoir and photo-book filled with photos and essays called ‘Going South’. Proceeds from the sale of the book fund the Ella Yelich-O’Connor Antarctic Doctoral Scholarship.

The scholarship supports research that advances understanding, and promotes protection of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The scholarship provides a stipend of $20,000 pa for two years of doctoral research and logistics support for one season of fieldwork in Antarctica (subject to programme availability, fieldwork must be aligned with an existing Antarctic field event).

New Zealand Post Antarctic Scholarship

New Zealand's presence in Antarctica is important to our nation and New Zealand Post has a long association with the continent – ever since Sir Edmund Hillary was postmaster at Scott Base in 1957. Supporting up-and-coming New Zealand scientists through this scholarship is a key way that New Zealand Post continues its close association with the white continent.

The scholarship is for masters or doctoral research and provides a one year stipend of $10,000 plus  logistics support for one season of fieldwork in Antarctica (subject to programme availability, fieldwork must be aligned with an existing
Antarctic field event).

Asia New Zealand Foundation Research Grants

The Foundation offers grants of up to $5,000 to support international travel and fieldwork for researchers undertaking contemporary, forward-looking projects in Asia. Project topics should be forward thinking and have learnings for New Zealand – ideally in policy or in areas where there is meaningful impact for New Zealand's future, such as: foreign affairs, international relations, trade, security, defence, cyber/tech, environment and climate change. Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents. Read more.

Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Society (ANZMES)

Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Society (ANZMES) is the national advisory body for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), in New Zealand, recently also extending our support to people with Long COVID. One of our constitutional objectives is to promote and invest in ME/CFS-focussed research and we are now in a position to offer a new research funding programme.

There will be six funding opportunities that may be awarded each year to Postgraduates who undertake research that furthers understanding, treatment, or prevention of ME/CFS and Long COVID.

ANZMES Postgraduate Grant
The national advisory for ME - ANZMES is offering two grants up to $25,000 to postgraduate students and academic researchers in the Faculties of Science, Medicine and Health Sciences, Public Health, and Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences - for research on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or ME/CFS and long COVID.

ANZMES Postgraduate Scholarship
The national advisory for ME - ANZMES is offering for scholarships up to $5,000 to postgraduate students in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Public Health, and Humanities/Social Sciences - for research on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or ME/CFS and long COVID.

Coastal Restoration Trust Post-graduate Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide funds to assist with an individual’s post-graduate level research to improve knowledge in the field of coastal restoration. The scholarship is usually $2,000 plus expenses to travel and present at the annual Coastal Restoration Trust Conference.

The Freemasons University Scholarships

All faculties

The Freemasons Scholarships are to assist able students who are actively involved in their community, to complete their university education in their chosen field. The scholarships are provided annually, funded and administered by The Freemasons Charity.

Most years there will be eight Postgraduate Scholarships of up to $10,000 each, and twenty University Scholarships of up to $6,000 each.

Applications close 1 October. For more information and to apply visit The Freemasons University Scholarships.

Jane Street Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF)

The Fellowship supports exceptional doctoral students currently pursuing a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science, mathematics, physics, or statistics. It covers full tuition fees for one year of academic study and a $45,000 USD stipend. Read more.

Neurological Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

These scholarships are intended to provide personal support for New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents undertaking a PhD in basic or clinical neuroscience. It provides an annual tax-free stipend for up to three years of full-time enrolment, tuition fees, and $5,000 towards the working expenses associated with the doctoral research. Additional travel grants may be available to recipients. 

NZCS Awards

The New Zealand Coastal Society offers various awards for PhD study related to the betterment of New Zealand's coastal resources to NZCS members.

Student Research Scholarship

The Society offers an annual scholarship of $5,000 to support PhD research that has the potential to contribute towards the aims of the society. The Scholarship includes free attendance to the annual NZCS conference and dinner.

Māori & Pacific Island Research Scholarship

The Society offers an annual PhD research scholarship of $5,000 to anyone of Māori or Pacific Island descent  or with a research topic with a Māori and Pacific Island focus within the coastal environment.An example could be the application of traditional Maori or Pacific Island coastal management techniques to modern day coastal planning. The purpose of this scholarship is also to promote diversity amongst coastal practitioners. The Scholarship includes free attendance to the annual NZCS conference and dinner.

NZ Coastal Society 'Coasts and Ports' Student Award

The award will cover conference registration, attendance at the conference dinner and $1000 towards travel and accommodation for the Australasian Coasts and Ports Conference. The award winner will be judged on the quality of the accepted abstract and alignment with the goals of the New Zealand Coastal Society. To be eligible the abstract must be accepted for presentation at the Australasian Coasts and Ports conference. The lead author must be an undergraduate, masters or PhD student at a recognised Tertiary institution based in New Zealand and a student member of the New Zealand Coastal Society at the time of submission.

For more information or to apply visit NZCS Awards.

RHT Bates Postgraduate Scholarship

Study award of $6,000 for a PhD in the Physical Sciences and Engineering in a New Zealand university.  In accordance with Professor Bates’ love of interdisciplinary research a wide range of students in the physical sciences and engineering will be eligible for this scholarship. Preference will be given to those whose research aims to apply information/image processing to studies in medicine, the physical sciences, astronomy or engineering.

Ross Beever Memorial Mycological Award (RBMMA)

The award is intended to provide financial support to a student who is studying full time at a post graduate level in mycology: i.e. completing PhD, Masters, Honours or Postgraduate Diploma of Science, on a topic relating to New Zealand mycology or plant pathology. The award may be applied at the discretion of the successful student to provide financial support for field work, study‐related travel, data analysis, reporting and living expenses, or any combination of these purposes. Read more and apply.