Scholarships for Māori and Pacific Island students

• Details of your enrolment (or intention to enrol) in tertiary science courses in 2024
• Your CV including a summary of your previous academic record (previous year’s results) we understand this may not be available for those applying for the Te Kainga Rua Award
• Your application statement outlining the award you will be applying for, your study goals and programme of study in New Zealand
• Your reference. This may be either academic or from someone in your community who can comment on your study goals
• Your academic transcript

Applications for the 2024 Discovery Scholarship programme are now open! Please follow this link to apply online. Full eligibility criteria is included below; please read it carefully and make sure you have all the information listed above before completing your application. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at MacD-Admin@vuw.ac.nz. Applications close end of the day Sunday 17 December 2023. 

We are seeking co-sponsorship from Iwi, business, and the research science and technology sector and organisations to enable us to award additional scholarships.  The MacDiarmid Institute covers all costs of administering this process, advertising, selecting and providing ongoing mentorship and support to the recipients.  No co-sponsorship monies go towards the administration of the scholarships.

We also offer ongoing paid summer internships for our scholarship recipients in our labs and provide opportunities and connections for co-sponsors to offer paid summer internships in their own labs or workplaces.   

If you have any questions or are interested in discussing co-sponsorship further, please email macd-admin@vuw.ac.nz with attention to: Strategic Manager Māori, Kirsty Doyle, Kirsty.doyle@vuw.ac.nz, or Strategic Engagement and Communications Manager, Vanessa Young vanessa.young@vuw.ac.nz

Co-Sponsors

GNS Science and the Aotearoa: Green Hydrogen Technology Platform

We are delighted to welcome GNS Science and the Aotearoa: Green Hydrogen Technology Platform on board as our first Discovery Scholarships co-sponsor. 

Bioprotection Aotearoa

We welcome Bioprotection Aotearoa, our latest co-sponsor to champion our Discovery Scholarships programme that nurtures a pathway for Māori and Pasifika students interested in STEM.

Awards Available

Te Kainga Rua Award - Second Chance Learner Award 

This category is for mature students either returning to tertiary education after having some time away or those that are undertaking tertiary courses for the first time. If you are passionate about the natural sciences or you wish to return to tertiary studies and would like help with reaching your goals and potential, we encourage you to apply.  

Piki Ake Award - Step It Up Award

This category is for students who are passionate about science but have found it challenging to achieve highly. This award is to help enthusiastic students reach their potential and step up into achieving.  

Te Taumata Award - High Achiever Award

This category is for students who have excelled in their studies and are looking toward continuing their study in the field.  

Te Mātauranga Pūtaiao Award - Māori Science Award

This category is for students who are studying Mātauranga Māori Science and are looking toward continuing their study in the field. 

Te Huarahi Ki Mua Award

This category is for students who have been previous recipients of a Discovery Scholarship Award (2023 and earlier) and are continuing their study in a relevant field (This is the only award previous recipients will be eligible to apply for and can only be awarded once to each recipient). 

Eligibility Criteria

• Students enrolled or intended to enrol in a tertiary-level STEM course(s) that relates to the physical sciences, chemical/materials engineering, Māori sciences or sciences related to sustainable innovation 
• Enrolled or intending to enrol for the 2024 academic year 
• New Zealand-based 
• A citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand 

*Please note that sciences relating to medical technology, innovation and physics/chemistry will be eligible. However, health sciences with a focus on becoming a nurse, physio, medical doctor or the like are not eligible for these awards.  

Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama. 
Seek and discover, discover and know, know and become enlightened! 

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact the MacDiarmid Institute at MacD-Admin@vuw.ac.nz.

Meet some of our Discovery Scholarship recipients

WATCH THEIR VIDEOS - where they share who they are, and the awesome study they are undertaking

Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2023

Read more about the successful recipients of the 2023 Discovery Scholarship awards.

Read more about Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2023

Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2022

Read more about the successful recipients of the 2022 Discovery Scholarship awards.

Read more about Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2022

Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2021

Read more about eight of the successful recipients of the 2021 Discovery Scholarship awards.

Read more about Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2021

Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2020

Read more about eight of the successful recipients of the 2020 Discovery Scholarship awards.

Read more about Discovery Scholarship Recipients - 2020