Protect our Islands Pasifika Award

Study area(s): Science
Scholarship level: Master's by thesis; Master's by coursework; Honours; Current students
Closing date(s): 1 December
Tenure: One year
Award for: Pasifika; Facing financial hardship; International; Domestic; Sustainability focused
Number offered: One or more annually, depending on the funds available.
Value: $5,000 for undergraduate, $7,500 for postgraduate

History and purpose

The Protect our Islands Pasifika Award is funded byPacific Biosecurity Limited to support and encourage more Pasifika students to pursue studies in ecology and environmental science.

Pacific Biosecurity Limited is a not-for-profit company establised by former Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington student Monica Gruber. The company provides environmental consultancy services throughout the Pacific region, with a strong focus on protecting the peoples, cultures, environments, and economies of Pacific Island countries and territories from the impacts of invasive species.

Through this award, Pacific Biosecurity Limited aims to increase Pasifika representation in the ecological and environmental sciences, supporting students who aspire to use their knowledge and skills to benefit their communities in Aotearoa and across the Pacific.

The award provides financial support to returning or transferring Pasifika students who are enrolled, or intend to enrol, in a programme with a major in one or more of the following areas: Climate Change Science and Policy, Conservation Biology, Ecological Restoration, Ecology and Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, and Marine Conservation. Candidates must be intending to continue their studies in the academic year.

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must:
    • be of Pacific descent
    • be enrolled, or intending to enrol, in undergraduate or postgraduate studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in the year following application
    • be majoring, or intending to major, in one or more of the following areas: Climate Change Science and Policy, Conservation Biology, Ecological Restoration, Ecology and Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, and Marine Conservation
    • have a minimum GPA of 6.5; and meet the entry requirements for their chosen programme of study.

Applicants may be studying either full time or part time. This scholarship is not open to school-leaver applicants.

Selection criteria

Selection will be based on academic merit, demonstrated commitment to the fields of ecology, environmental science and marine science, and motivation to use their studies and skiils to contribute to Pasifika communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Pacific.

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.

Apply online

Award specific documentation

  • A personal statement outlining the applicant's academic journey to date, their programme of study and areas of interest, why they should be considered for the award, their goals and plans for academic success, and how they intend to use their qualification following completion of their studies.

Selection process

Selection will be made by the Equity Programme Scholarships Manager, in consultation with the Head of School, School of Biological Sciences (or nominee), and a Director of Pacific Biosecurity Limited.

Additional information

The award will be paid following the final withdrawal deadline for Trimester 1 of the recipient's year of study.

Recipients are expected to write a letter of thanks to the donor upon receipt of the award.

Recipients are also required to submit a brief end-of-year progress report outlining their academic progress and future study or career plans.

Pacific Biosecurity Limited offers mentoring opportunities to recipients who wish to receive guidance and support.

Conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  2. Offers of the Award are conditional upon the recipient being enrolled in a programme with a major in one or more of the following areas: Climate Change Science and Policy, Conservation Biology, Ecological Restoration, Ecology and Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, and Marine Conservation. Payment will not be paid until this condition is met.
  3. The Award cannot be deferred to a later year.
  4. The Award may be held in conjunction with other scholarships and awards.
  5. If a recipient withdraws from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington or fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress during the tenure of the award, partial repayment may be required. Recipients must notify the Scholarships Office of any intention to withdraw.
  6. Recipients may be invited to act as ambassadors for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and participate in promotional, marketing, or donor-related activities.
  7. In exceptional circumstances, the Deciding Authority may vary the application of these conditions to avoid undue hardship or where special circumstances apply.

Contact

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