Friends of Wellington Botanic Garden Award

Study area(s): Science
Scholarship level: Doctoral; Master’s Research; Master's by coursework
Closing date(s): 30 September
Tenure: One year
Award for: International; Domestic
Number offered: One
Value: $5,000 (subject to available funds)

History and purpose

One of the roles of the Friends of Wellington Botanic Garden (the Friends) is to foster science and education. This is important, because New Zealand, like the rest of the world, has seen a decline in the number of university students studying science. This is worrying in the context of today’s societies in which science and technology play an essential role.

The Friends hope to strengthen the existing relationship with, and proximity to, the Garden, and with Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, the Friends seek to establish a research award for a postgraduate student at the University, in a complementary field of study.

The purpose of the award is to support a postgraduate Masters or PhD student with their associated research and educational costs in the pursuit of active botanical research.

Friends of Wellington Botanic Garden support botanical research

Who is eligible?

  • Students must be enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time, in a Masters or PhD programme, where their study is based on botanical research.
  • If at all possible, research will be focused on plants held by the Wellington Botanic Garden specialised collections.

Selection criteria

  • Applicants’ research projects must focus on a complementary field of study.
  • Recipients will be selected based on the merit of their application and research project.
  • Preference may be given to students who are already currently enrolled or have their enrolment for the awarding year confirmed.

Application process

A completed 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 (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

  • Research proposal, to include:
    • An outline of the scope of the project
    • A simple timeline of research activity
    • How the funding will enhance the quality of the research
    • How the project fits the donors wishes
    • The applicant's supervisory team (including external collaborators where appropriate)
  • A simple budget including the amount requested and including any other major sources of funding.
  • A statement of support from a current or proposed supervisor (to be requested via the online application).

Selection process

A shortlist of potential recipients will be decided by Directors of the Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration and Ecology.

The final recipient will then be chosen from this shortlist by the donor.

Additional information

  • The recipient will be required to present a summary of their research to the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden at a Friends meeting during the year they hold the award.
  • Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for the Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  • The recipient will be encouraged to build a productive research relationship with the Friends and with the Wellington Botanic Garden.
  • The recipient will provide a written report and thank you letter after the year following their award to be submitted to the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden.

Conditions

  1. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being enrolled in a full-year programme, within the criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  2. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  3. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other University awards.
  4. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  5. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  6. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04