New Zealand Development Scholarships for Developing Countries 2013

Brief description: The New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) offers the opportunity for international students from selected developing countries to study in New Zealand.

The purpose of the scholarships is for candidates to gain knowledge and skills through post-graduate study in specific subject areas that will assist in the development of their home country. Awardees are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply these new skills and knowledge in government, civil society, or private business organisations.

The scholarships are offered for full-time, tertiary level study (Postgraduate Diploma, Master, or PhD) at participating education institutions.

Host Institution(s): The contact details and close-off dates to receive applications of each institution is found at this link.

Field(s) of study: The scholarships cover studies related to education, health, rural livelihoods, governance, human rights, or economic development, depending on the human resource development training needs of the home government.

Number of Awards: Varies per country. See country information sheet for more information.

Target group: The scholarships are open to citizens of:

Africa: Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia,  Zimbabwe,  Ethiopia,  Botswana, Lesotho, Mozamobique, Namibia, Swaziland,  Mauritius

Asia: China, Mongolia, Nepal

Latin America: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador,  Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela

Scholarship value/inclusions: The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs while in New Zealand, and airfares.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following New Zealand Development Scholarships eligibility criteria before their application will be considered against the selection criteria, including any region-specific criteria. Applicants are expected to continue residing in their home country during the Scholarship application and selection process.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a citizen of an New Zealand Development Scholarships participating country (permanent residents are not eligible to apply)

• be residing in your country of citizenship, preferably for at least two years prior to application

• not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australia, or another developed country

• not be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds, or who is eligible to hold, citizenship or permanent residence of New Zealand, Australia or another developed country

• be aged 17 or over before the scholarship start date

• be applying to commence a new qualification and not be seeking funding for a qualification already in progress in New Zealand or another country

• not have completed, or nearly completed, a qualification at a similar level (i.e. applicants must apply for a higher level qualification than any previously attained), unless strong developmental relevance is demonstrated

• satisfy the admission requirements of the New Zealand education institution at which the qualification is to be undertaken, including English language criteria

• have been working in your home country since completing their highest tertiary qualification gained to date, preferably for at least two years prior to application

• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the relevant sector in your home country, and to your country’s development in general

• be able to take up the scholarship in the academic year for which it is offered.

Application instructions: Application processes and timelines can vary depending on the country. For information about the application process please see the scholarship information page for your home country.

The application deadline varies but is around May to June each year.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Official Scholarship Website: http://www.aid.govt.nz/funding-and-contracts/scholarships/types-scholarship/new-zealand-development-scholarships