2016 New Zealand Scholarship Programme

This inform eligible applicants about the 2016 New Zealand Scholarship Programme available. The New Zealand Aid Programme offers scholarships to people from eligible African countries who are motivated to make a difference at home.

New Zealand Scholarships are prestigious scholarships for international students from developing countries to study in New Zealand and the Pacific. Our scholarships foster and build potential leaders, as well as equipping individuals with skills and knowledge to benefit their home country.

Studying with a New Zealand Scholarship is a great opportunity for personal and academic growth, unique experiences and career development. Our network of scholars go on to make a difference in government, business, NGOs and local community.

New Zealand Development Scholarship 2016

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. 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.

African countries including Nigeria can be a beneficiary of this great opportunity for scholars and the likes in the New Zealand Development Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria Checklist For Applicants

Applicants from all eligible countries must meet the following conditions to be eligible for the 2016 New Zealand Development Scholarship:

1. I will be at least 18 years old at the time I start the scholarship
2. The country I am living in is in the list of eligible countries
3. I am a citizen of the country I am living in
4. I have been living in this country for at least the last two years (unless you are a member of the diplomatic corps or a dependent of a member of the diplomatic corps)
5. I confirm that I am not currently serving in the military
6. I want to study in New Zealand; or
7. I want to study in the Pacific and I am from Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu
8. I want to study at a level that is listed as available for my country for the scholarship that I am applying for
9. I expect to meet Immigration requirements for a student visa to New Zealand or the Pacific country I will study in (i.e. medical checks, etc.).  Please check the following website for further information:
   • New Zealand: www.imigration.govt.nz
   • Fiji:www.immigration.gov.fi
   • Papua New Guinea:www.immigration.gov.pg
   • Vanuatu: www.vanuatuhktc.org
10. I expect to meet the academic entry requirements (including English language ability) to get into my preferred programme of study
11. I confirm that I have not been previously terminated from a New Zealand Government Scholarship because of poor academic performance or personal conduct
12. I can demonstrate that the study I want to do will enable me to contribute to the sustainable development of my home country
13. I am committed to return to my country for a minimum of two years at the end of my scholarship to contribute to my country’s development
14. I confirm that I am not a citizen or permanent resident of any of the following countries:
    • New Zealand (excluding Samoa)
    • Israel
    • South Korea
    • Australia
    • Japan
    • USA
    • Any European Union country
    • Qatar
    • United Kingdom
    • Canada
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
15. I have at least two years of work experience (part time or full time, paid or voluntary) unless I am applying straight from school or during my first year of tertiary study (for countries offered undergraduate study)

Available Scholarships for The 2016 New Zealand Development Scholarship

2016 New Zealand Development Scholarships are available for the following qualifications:

• Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
• Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
• Masters Degree (1 – 2 years)
• PhD (up to 3.5 years)

Preference For 2016 New Zealand Development scholarship

Preference will be given to candidates for the 2016 New Zealand Development Scholarship who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership qualities, and a commitment to the development of their home country.

Preference is also given to candidates who are 39 years of age or younger at the time of commencing their scholarship.

Preference will be given to candidates who apply to study in academic disciplines relating to one or more of the following:

Agriculture development

• Agri-business management, agricultural economics, agricultural systems and management, rural development, domestic supply chains and distribution, Natural Resource and Environmental Management
• Biology, vegetable production, livestock/animal husbandry, crop management, sericulture (silk production), forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural pest management
• Phytosanitary, bio-security, biotechnology, agricultural trade,
• Food production, food sciences/technology, post-harvest processing, food storage and packaging, food safety
• A list of postgraduate qualifications relevant to Agriculture Development is available HERE

Renewable energy

• Geothermal, solar, hydro engineering and wind energy, renewable energy distribution systems
• A list of postgraduate qualifications relevant to Renewable Energy CLICK HERE

How To Apply

Anyone from an eligible country such as Nigeria, can apply online for 2016 New Zealand Development Scholarship in four simple steps.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

Before you start your application you will need to check your eligibility through the CLICK HERE. If you are eligible, you will be given a personal eligibility number and you can use this to apply for the 2016 New Zealand Development scholarship.

At this stage, you will also need to decide the type of institution and qualification that is right for you. For more information, please click on FAQ.

Step 2: Create a RealMe login

Once you have confirmed your eligibility for a scholarship, you will to create a  RealMe login to apply. You will use this login any time that you want to access your online Scholarship application, and can also use the same login for a range of other New Zealand Government service, including applying for a Student Visa through Immigration New Zealand if you are successful in being awarded a Scholarship. You will need your reference number in order to start your application form – so please make a note of it at the end of your eligibility checklist.

Step 3: Register with NZ Scholarships online

You will need to register HERE before you can submit your application.  To do this you will need to provide us with a few basic details such as your name and email address. This is also where you will need to provide the eligibility reference number from step one above.

Step 4: Complete your application

You will now be able to and apply for any open Scholarship intake in your country which is Nigeria.  You can also update your contact details at any time should they change, which will help us to get in touch with you regarding your application(s) if needed. Please note that you will need to scan your academic transcripts to upload onto the application portal. You can add one attachment for each of your qualifications. They must be either Word, PDF or JPEG. The shortlist will be confirmed several months after the application deadline has been reached.

Shortlisting For 2016 New Zealand Development Scholarship

All applications may be subject to aptitude testing. You will be notified if applicants from your country will be required to undertake aptitude testing.

If you are successful in reaching the shortlist for the 2016 New Zealand Development Scholarship, you will be required to provide the following official documentation:

1. One of the following:
   • Verified copy of passport
   • Verified copy of birth certificate
   • Verified copy of other official government issued ID
2. Verified copies of relevant academic transcripts
3. Verified copies of relevant completion certificates
4. Contact details of most recent employer + two most relevant other employers – does not apply to School Leaver applicants
5. A non-verified copy of an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) which will be verified by MFAT online using the TRF Verification Service OR an original copy of a TOEFL test result form. Whichever is provided must have been completed in the last 24 months.   There will be an opportunity for native English language speakers to provide alternative evidence of their proficiency.

Application deadline:30th April 2016