The Wellington Doctoral Scholarship is a flagship funding opportunity offered by Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka to support high-achieving doctoral students from New Zealand and around the world. The scholarship is designed to encourage and sustain excellence in postgraduate research across a wide range of academic disciplines. Awarded on the basis of academic merit, the scholarship provides generous financial support to enable recipients to focus fully on their doctoral studies while contributing to the University’s vibrant research community. About Victoria University of Wellington Victoria University of Wellington is one of New Zealand’s leading research-intensive universities, known for its strong global outlook, academic excellence, and commitment to impactful research. The University supports postgraduate research that addresses local and global challenges and fosters innovation across disciplines. Through its Faculty of Graduate Research, the University offers structured support for doctoral candidates, ensuring a high-quality research environment and strong academic supervision. Scholarship Overview The Wellington Doctoral Scholarship supports full-time doctoral (PhD) study across all major academic areas offered by the University. Key Scholarship Details Scholarship Level: Doctoral (PhD), fully funded Study Areas Include: Architecture and Design Business and Government Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences Engineering and Technology Humanities and Social Sciences Law Music Science Award Value: NZD $32,000 annual stipend Full domestic tuition fees for up to three years Number of Awards: Approximately 110 per year Tenure: Normally up to three years Application Rounds and Deadlines The Wellington Doctoral Scholarship is offered through three application rounds each year, providing flexibility for prospective doctoral candidates. Closing Dates 1 March 1 July 1 November Applications must be submitted online by 4:30 pm (New Zealand time) on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted, and all required supporting documentation must be received by the deadline. Eligibility Criteria The scholarship is open to domestic and international students who intend to enrol, or are already enrolled, in a doctoral programme at Victoria University of Wellington. Applicants must: Be graduates of any university within or outside New Zealand Intend to enrol full-time in a PhD programme, or have commenced doctoral study at Victoria University of Wellington Normally hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with academic distinction equivalent to First Class Honours at a New Zealand university Demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential Applicants who have already been enrolled in a PhD programme at the University for more than six months at the time of the scholarship offer may receive a reduced tenure at the discretion of the University Research Scholarships Committee. Selection Criteria and Assessment Scholarships are awarded competitively based on academic excellence and research potential. Selection decisions are made by the Victoria University Research Scholarships Committee, following recommendations from relevant schools and faculties. Key selection considerations include: Strong academic record and excellent academic references Demonstrated potential for high-quality, original research Record of publication in high-quality journals, where applicable Alignment between the applicant’s research interests and the strategic priorities of the School, Institute, or Centre Strategic considerations such as institutional collaboration or engagement with research and industry partners Applicants who have completed prior studies outside Victoria University of Wellington must submit certified academic transcripts from all other institutions. Notification and Offer Process Offers of the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship are typically made within six weeks of each application deadline. Due to possible offer declines, some applicants may receive notification up to three months after submission. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by email. Scholarship Conditions and Expectations Recipients of the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship are expected to: Maintain full-time enrolment and devote themselves fully to their research Make satisfactory academic progress and submit six-monthly progress reports Sign a Wellington Doctoral Research Scholarship Contract Act as ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington when requested Limited paid employment of up to 600 hours per calendar year may be approved with supervisor and Head of School support. Scholarships may be suspended or terminated if recipients fail to meet academic progress requirements or breach scholarship conditions. How to Apply Applicants must submit a completed online application through the University’s doctoral admissions and scholarship system. Guidance on doctoral study and funding applications is available through the Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research. For further information, prospective applicants may contact:Doctoral Admissions Office, Faculty of Graduate ResearchEmail: pg-research@vuw.ac.nz VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the official organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.