Summer Research Scholarship Programme

If you’re in third-year or above and interested in developing your research skills, you could apply for a summer research scholarship.

The Summer Research Scholarship Programme offers a unique opportunity for external organisations, academics, and students to collaborate in research. Working with globally recognised researchers in a local setting, students gain valuable real-world experience and insight into what research is all about.

Depending on the project, students can develop a broad range of transferable skills, such as research and analytics, critical reading, synthesis of literature, information gathering, and effective communication. They may also gain experience with relevant tools, technologies, or methodologies, including specialist software or practical techniques used in professional or laboratory settings.

What’s involved

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

What it’s worth

Each Summer Research Scholarship includes a minimum tax-free stipend of $8,000.

Application process

Online applications for Summer Research Scholarship projects will be open from 2 September to 15 September. During this period, you will be able to view available projects and submit an application online.

Please check back here from 2 September to access the project listings and application form.

Students who are interested in viewing the Summer Research Scholarship Projects must email summer-research@vuw.ac.nz with full legal name and student ID (where applicable), by 28 August for entry.

If you are currently enrolled at another New Zealand university, you will need to submit an admission application through Pūaha. Select the Summer Research Scholarship Programme before emailing summer-research@vuw.ac.nz with the above information.

Access to the projects cannot be guaranteed after 28 August if you have not emailed prior.

Online applications for projects will be facilitated through InPlace from 2-15 September. Instructions and a direct link to InPlace will be provided from 1 September to students who have emailed summer-research@vuw.ac.nz.

Successful applicants will be enrolled in the Summer Research Scholarship course SRCH 301, which is a not-for-credit course and does not require payment of any tuition fees.

Eligibility and conditions

The Scholarship is open to students who have completed at least two years of their undergraduate degree and who are currently enrolled full-time at any New Zealand University in an undergraduate, Honours, or Part 1 of a Master’s degree (prior to undertaking any research).

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 which runs over the Trimester 3 period.

Additional information

Contact

Scholarships Office

Email: summer-research@vuw.ac.nz
Phone: 0800 04 04 04