

The New Zealand Postgraduate Development Research Awards
administered by DevNet
On behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
Research on Development Issues
The goal of the New Zealand Postgraduate Development Research Awards is to support research by students studying in New Zealand institutions on development issues of relevance to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and to foster the capacity of future New Zealand development professionals.
Award Costs
The awards are provided to qualifying students who undertake research of 4+ weeks as part of their post-graduate study. The awards fund eligible research costs up to $6000 for Master’s and up to $8000 for PhD.
Research Priority Areas
The funding prioritises research in the Pacific but is open to other eligible research locations that line up with the Programme priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Check out the Aid and Development section of the Ministry’s website for more information.
Award Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for an award, applicants must:
- be undertaking the research as part of a New Zealand based Master’s degree or Doctorate;
- be undertaking the research on and for the benefit of a developing country (or multiple countries) in a sector (or sectors) where the New Zealand Aid Programme is active; and
- have received (or will receive prior to commencement) university ethics approval to conduct the research.
Read the Awards Regulations for more information.
The Next Application Round
DevNet and MFAT will be opening a special application round to facilitate research in keeping with the New Zealand Safe Travel Guidelines for no overseas travel.
Past Award Recipients
- Cristine Werle – Massey University
- Ruby McGruddy – Massey University
- Bridget Payne – Victoria University of Wellington
- Ivor Kaisami – Massey University
- Erin Thomas – University of Auckland
- Michelle Greene – Massey University
- Neill Ballantyne – Victoria University of Wellington
- Jojo Woodham – Victoria University of Wellington
- Craig Hooper – University of Otago
- Tessa Bardsley – Victoria University of Wellington
- Akisi Nailaba Ravono – Massey University
Key Contact
Any questions regarding requirements for applications should be directed to the Awards Administrator at info@devnet.org.nz.