Ahunuku Māori Summer Research Scholarship

Description

Victoria University of Wellington is offering Ahunuku Māori Summer Research Scholarships to Māori students over the summer trimester. This programme provides university students of Māori descent with an opportunity to enhance their skills and gain valuable experience within the earth sciences field, with the guidance and support of our expert Earth Sciences New Zealand researchers.

Students will be expected to work on a research project for up to 10 weeks (400 hours) over the summer trimester, under the supervision of well-established researchers.

Each scholarship will have a value of $8,000, paid in four equal instalments (co-funded by Earth Sciences New Zealand and Taihonoa).

Eligibility and conditions

Applicants must be Māori, or of Māori descent.

Applicants will be selected on the basis of academic merit, expertise in the research area, and recommendations from GNS staff associated with the project.

The Scholarship is open to students who have completed at least two years of their undergraduate degree. Students who are currently enrolled at any Australian or New Zealand University in an undergraduate, Honours, or the first year of a Master’s degree can apply.

Recipients must submit an application for enrolment to Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington for the 2026 academic year by 31 October 2025 to be eligible for the scholarship. In cases where students are moving on to PhD study, they must have applied by the 1 November 2025 round but not be starting their doctoral study until the end of the summer research period.

Students enrolled in a PhD or Master's by Thesis are not eligible.

Students applying for this programme cannot be undertaking study at any university during the Summer Research Scholarship Programme duration.

Upon enrolment, a VUW student ID is issued, which is a requirement for payment of the scholarship stipend.

Application process

Applications for Ahunuku Māori Summer Scholarships open on 10 September 2025 and close 4.30pm, 22 September 2025 (New Zealand time zone).

To apply for any of the following projects, an online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

When applying, please note the corresponding scholarship code for each project.

For further details on the projects or for any questions about the scholarship, please contact:

summer-research@vuw.ac.nz.