New Zealand Government Development Scholarships for Developing Countries, 2018-2019

New Zealand Government is offering scholarships for students starting full-time postgraduate degree programmes in 2017. Scholarships are available for national of African Commonwealth countries, Africa – non-Commonwealth countries,  Asia, Latin America, Caribbean Commonnwealth countries and Caribbean non-Commonnwealth countries.

New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) give candidates from selected developing countries an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through study in specific subject areas which will assist in the development of their home country.

The New Zealand Aid Programme delivers New Zealand’s official support for developing countries. The purpose of New Zealand’s aid is to develop shared prosperity and stability in the Pacific and beyond, drawing on the best of New Zealand’s knowledge and skills.

Applicants must return home for at least two years after your scholarship ends, and apply your skills and knowledge so your country can benefit from what you’ve learned. IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. If you are awaiting the result of an IELTS or TOEFL test, you can note this on your scholarship application form.

Scholarship Description:

• Application Deadline:  March 28, 2018
• Course Level: Scholarships are available for full-time postgraduate study (i.e. Postgraduate Certificate, Diplomas and Masters degrees) in New Zealand except for China, Nepal and Mongolia which are available also for PhD study and in for Timor Leste which are awarded for both undergraduate and postgraduate study (Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters (research and/or coursework) and Doctoral).
• Study Subject: Scholarships are awarded for study related to Agriculture Development and Renewable Energy (for Africa and Latin America); For China: Preference will be given to candidates who apply to study in academic disciplines relating to one or more of the following: Rural development; Food safety and biosecurity; Tourism and small business development and Agriculture Development; For Mongolia and Nepal: Preference will be given to study in academic disciplines relating to one or more of the following: Agriculture Development, Renewable Energy, Private Sector Development and Public Sector Management; For Timor Leste: Preference areas are Private sector development (business and commerce), Technology, Tourism and hospitality, Agriculture Development (including fisheries and forestry), Governance, peace and justice and Environment and resource management and for the Caribbean:Preference will be given to Agriculture Development, Renewable Energy and Disaster Risk Management.
• Scholarship Award: The entitlements of the Scholarship include full tuition fees, a living allowance (paid fortnightly), an establishment allowance, medical and travel insurance, travel between your home country and New Zealand at the start and end of your scholarship, home leave or reunion travel for some eligible scholars, pastoral and academic support at your institution, and assistance with research and thesis costs for most postgraduate research students.
• Number of Scholarships: Not given
• Nationality: Africa (Commonwealth), Africa, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean
• Scholarship can be taken in New Zealand

Eligibility for the Scholarship:

• Eligible Countries: Africa (Commonwealth): Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Africa: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Dijbouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Asia: Bhutan, Jordan, Mongolia,  Nepal,  Timor-Leste, Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela, Caribbean: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.
• Entrance Requirements: Applicants must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a New Zealand Scholarship:
  • Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of commencing your scholarship.
  • Be a citizen of the country from which you are applying for a scholarship.
  • Not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, European Union countries, United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, South Korea, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia.
  • Important note: this condition does not apply to applicants from the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue, or applicants from Samoa with dual Samoa-NZ citizenship.
  • Have resided in your home country for at least two years immediately prior to commencing your scholarship.
  • Important note:this condition does not apply to applicants who are members of the diplomatic corps or their dependants, and may not apply to applicants for Short Term Scholarships.
  • Have at least 2 years of work experience (part time or fulltime, paid or voluntary).
  • Important note:this condition does not apply to applicants from the Pacific who are applying for a pre-service scholarship -Not be serving military personnel.
  • Be able to satisfy Immigration requirements for international student entry to New Zealand or the country in which you will undertake your scholarship (i.e. medical checks, police clearances/character checks, etc.)
  • Be academically and linguistically able to obtain an Offer of Place for the proposed programme of study from the tertiary institute where you will undertake your scholarship.
  • Not have been previously terminated from a New Zealand Government Scholarship
  • Seek a qualification that will contribute to the sustainable development of your home country
  • Commit to return to your country for a minimum of 2 years at the end of your scholarship.

English Language Requirements: Applicants from outside the home country will often need to meet specific English language/other language requirements in order to be able to study there.

Application Procedure:

Introduction: Most applications should be completed online and this is the only option for some countries. Paper applications are accepted for some countries only. (But applications for New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships follow a different process.

How to Apply: 

Online applications

Make sure you are fully prepared before you begin your online application:

• Complete all the steps in the Getting Started section (see above)
• Make sure you read the Application Guidance – especially the section about Online applications.

We still find that many applications we get are low-quality and show that the applicant has not read the essential information and guidance on this website.

The online application process has four steps, all completed on an online application site (external link). The site will explain each step in more detail.

Step one: Confirm your eligibility

Complete the Online Eligibility Test. This will give you a number that you will need when you register (step three).

Step two: Create a Real Me login

This will give you a login and password that you will use through the application process.

Step three: Register with New Zealand Scholarships online

This creates your application account, and means you will be set up to complete an application.

Step four: Complete your application

This step will only become available when applications formally opens.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship we encourage you to do all the things under ‘Getting started’ before applications open. There is a lot you should do before you begin your application.

Start your online application process now:

Start your online application process here (external link).

Paper applications are only available for selected countries for the below scholarship types. Even if paper applications are available to you, we encourage you to apply via the Online Application Portal if you have internet access.

Make sure you are fully prepared before you start your application:

Complete all the steps in the Getting Started section (see above)

Make sure you read the Application Guidance – especially the section about Paper applications, and PhD applicants if applicable.

We still find that many applications we get are low-quality and show that the applicant has not read the essential information and guidance on this website.

Paper applications have three steps.

Step one: Confirm your eligibility

Check your eligibility against the requirements to make sure that you are eligible for a scholarship.

Step two: Get a copy of an application form

If you are eligible, get an application form from the New Zealand High Commission or Embassy in your country. You can contact them by email, or you can submit an online enquiry form to us to request a paper application form. Note that we strongly encourage applicants to apply via the Online Application portal. If you can email us, you should be able to do the Online Application.

Step three: Complete your application

Complete the application form. See Application Guidance for advice and essential information. Older versions of the Application form will not be accepted. The Application Form must say ‘2018 Selection’ on the front cover.

Step 4: Submit your application to your local Embassy or High Commission or direct to MFAT

Send your completed NZDS, NZAS, NZPS or NZRDS 2018 Application Form to the New Zealand High Commission, Embassy or listed address in your country by the close date. Check the application closing date for your country.

Scholarship Link