Te Papa Atawhai (Department of Conservation) Postgraduate Scholarships

The Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai) was established by the Conservation Act 1987 to manage, preserve, and protect land, freshwater, and other natural and historic resources throughout New Zealand. Our vision is Papatūānuku thrives. Te Papa Atawhai funds postgraduate research scholarships to help answer strategic and high priority questions and to build capability and capacity in conservation related science in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai) established these scholarships in 2020 to support postgraduate research to help answer strategic and high priority questions around conservation related science in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from candidates -

  • who are enrolled in, or eligible to enrol in, a full time or part time Master’s degree in Aotearoa New Zealand university, or an NZQA accredited tertiary institution; and
  • who are completing their research component in the year immediately following the award (part time scholars have a maximum 2 years to complete).  Note: Candidates undertaking only coursework Master’s are not eligible
  • whose proposed course of study includes a minimum research component of 90 Credits; and
  • whose research thesis focuses on priority research areas of Te Papa Atawhai (refer to Te Papa Atawhai website)..

Selection criteria

In assessing applications the Selection Committee will use the following criteria:

  • Relevance of the research thesis topic to Tea Papa Atawhai’s, research priorities, available here.
  • Relevance to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
  • Academic merit.
  • Genuine interest in research topic and evidence of commitment to conservation science.

Conservation science in this context is interpreted broadly and includes, from a multitude of disciplinary, trans-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives - the biodiversity, visitor and heritage related responsibilities of the Department. These perspectives include underpinning Te Ao Māori thinking (including Mātauranga Māori), the social sciences (including economics) and the biophysical sciences.

Value and number awarded

Three scholarships up to $15,000. 

Opening date

13 November 2024

Closing date

3 March 2025

How to apply:

Check your eligibility by reading the Regulations.

Applying for the scholarship is an on-line application process. A link to the application website is available here.

Decisions made

Mid May.