New Zealand Scholarships and Training Awards

Purpose

The New Zealand Government, through the New Zealand Aid Programme offers scholarships annually to strengthen the human resource base in the Solomon Islands by supporting identified priority areas of training. New Zealand’s long-term objective is to assist the Solomon Islands Government and Solomon Islanders in creating an environment conducive to economic recovery and growth, and addressing basic social needs. 

 Under the New Zealand bilateral development assistance programme for the Solomon Islands, eligible citizens can apply for the following New Zealand scholarships and training awards:

New Zealand Pacific Scholarships (NZPS)

Up to twenty four (24) scholarship awards for study in New Zealand will be offered to eligible candidates for full time study beginning in the 2014 academic year. 

New Zealand Pacific Scholarships (NZPS) are mainly available to young high achieving school leavers and youth who have leadership potential and want to pursue undergraduate studies at a New Zealand Institution.

A limited number of the scholarships are available for mature aged (generally 25+) in-service applicants who wish to study at postgraduate level (i.e. Postgraduate Diploma, Masters or Doctorates (PhD) in priority areas for the Solomon Islands. Study at PhD level will only be considered where particularly strong development relevance and alignment to the Solomon Island’s priority training needs are demonstrated. Candidates apply directly to the New Zealand High Commission, Honiara.  See the list of eligible New Zealand education institutions in the scholarship section of the New Zealand Aid Programmes website.

New Zealand Regional Development Scholarships (NZRDS)

Up to 10 scholarships for study at institutions in the  Pacific Region will be offered to eligible candidates for study beginning in the 2014 academic year. NZRDS are available to pre-service (public, private or civil society sector employee) applicants. NZRDS are awarded for full-time study in the Pacific region at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels (excluding PhDs). Candidates apply through the National Training Unit, Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.

Short Term Training Awards (STTA)

These are available for targeted, short-term vocational and skills-based training in areas that will effectively contribute to the social and economic development of Solomon Islands. The awards are available for training in New Zealand for duration periods ranging from two (2) weeks to a maximum of one year. Individuals working in the private or civil society sectors are encouraged to apply to undertake short courses or undergraduate Certificate or Diploma level technical training. STTA are not available for part-time or academic tertiary study. STTA applicants must be employed and their employer must endorse their application.

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

Solomon Islands candidates are eligible to apply for Commonwealth Scholarships for postgraduate study in New Zealand on a contestable basis with applicants from other developing Commonwealth countries.

Information can be obtained from the National Training Unit (the nominating agency to which an applicant applies) or from the  Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan website.

Country Portfolio: Priority sectors for awards in 2014

New Zealand High Commission and Solomon Islands Government National Training Council have agreed that for 2014 New Zealand Scholarships and training awards will be prioritized to the following sectors:

1.  Science and Engineering
2.  Public Policy Planning and Administration
3.  Business Management, Commerce, Economics, Finance and Accounting
4.  Economic Development (e.g. Fisheries, Tourism, Forestry Management)
5.  Education

Application and selection process

Applicants will be selected on the basis of their academic record, relevant of proposed course of study, and leadership potential. The selection process will also consider youth and gender balance.

All applications for a New Zealand scholarship or training award must satisfy the following eligibility criteria, in addition to the general eligibility criteria :

• Solomon Island citizen and based in Solomon Islands for at least three years.
• Able to receive both police and medical clearance for awards that are based in New Zealand.
• Applications for Short Term Training Awards must be employed.
• For NZ Regional Development and NZ Pacific Scholarships, must either be in Form 7 or have already successfully completed Form 7 or USP Foundation year with a minimum grade point average 0f 3.5 or higher.
• Chosen field of study must fall within the priority study fields indicated above.
• Must provide completed application forms and required documents as per the application checklist.
   

Applicants will be selected on the basis of their academic record, relevance of proposed course of study, and leadership potential.  The selection process will also consider youth and seek gender balance.

Applications for NZPS and NZRDS open Monday 15 April 2013 and will close Friday 12 July 2013.

Please click on the relevant study award scheme above for further details.

Attachment
NTC New Application Form -FINAL FOR 2013 (1).pdf
NZPS Application Form 2012 FINAL.pdf
nzrds-application-formpdf.pdf