Mike Collins Physics Research Scholarship
History and purpose
Mike Collins was the Director of the Physics and Engineering Division, and later Director General, of the DSIR. Mike was a physicist exploring the upper atmosphere. He was also an early champion of the internet and organised a DSIR division of information technology which at one stage ran one of the world’s 10 WANs and was recognised as a leader in this area. Later he became the first chair of Viclink (now known as Wellington UniVentures), and it was in in this arena that we had our first commercial triumph. He enjoyed watching people grow and went out of his way to support young and up-and-coming scientists.
This scholarship was established jointly between Mike Collins personally and Viclink (now Wellington UniVentures) to encourage Physics students to undertake research degrees. Preference will be given to applicants interested in commercialisation or entrepreneurship.
Who is eligible?
- Applicants must be enrolled, or intending to enrol, in a Master’s by thesis at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington.
- Applicants must be undertaking research in Physics.
Selection criteria
Selection will be based on the strength of their proposed research and academic achievement. Preference will be given to applicants interested in commercialisation or entrepreneurship.
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
- Statement of Research Interests
- Reference from an academic (to be requested via the online application)
- Academic transcript/s
Selection process
The successful recipient will be selected by the University Research Scholarships Committee.
Additional information
- The scholarship will pay full domestic fees, with the remainder as a one-off stipend.
- A letter of appreciation must be submitted within one month of receiving the scholarship, which will be forwarded appropriately.
- Recipients will also be expected to provide an end of year progress report, which will be shared with the family.
Regulations and conditions
- 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 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
- All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being enrolled in a full-year programme (as stipulated by Studylink as fulltime), within the criteria and tenure of the Scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
- Where part-time study for the recipient is approved, their scholarship award may be pro-rated. This decision will be made by the selection panel. Before deciding to reduce their study load from fulltime, the recipient must discuss this with the Scholarships Office.
- The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
- The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other University awards.
- 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.
- Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
- 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