2025 PhD Scholarship Applications are now closed.
The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Māori (NPM) Futures Programme supports promising Māori students at the senior undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, aiming to grow a skilled Māori researcher workforce for Aotearoa New Zealand. The programme focuses on developing the next generation of Māori research leaders who can set and pursue impactful research that contributes to building a flourishing future for Māori. Our PhD Scholarship grant is a key strategy in achieving this goal. Many of our past recipients have successfully completed doctoral and post-doctoral studies, joined influential research teams, taken on academic or professional research roles in universities and Crown Research Institutions, or started their own research consultancies. NPM’s programme is a proven and excellent pathway for fostering Māori research talent.
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PURPOSE
The NPM PhD Scholarship is for Māori students enrolled in a PhD program at any NPM Partner institution. The scholarship provides financial assistance through a non-taxable stipend and ongoing support through the NPM Māori Futures Programme. Recipients will progress their PhD research in alignment with the NPM Matakitenga framework and contribute to NPM's mission to create foundations for flourishing Māori futures. All recipients are expected to participate in NPM professional excellence activities, Te Kupenga o MAI, the biennial International Indigenous Research Conference, and NPM researcher wānanga. Successful applicants will join a high-impact, multi-institutional team of Māori researchers across Aotearoa, all working towards transformative change for a better future.
ELIGIBILITY
All applicants must be a high-achieving Māori PhD student currently enrolled at an NPM partner institution undertaking research that aligns with the NPM Matakitenga research framework (available here). The NPM PhD Doctoral Scholarship cannot be held concurrently with any New Zealand University-named doctoral scholarship. Applicants holding such scholarships are ineligible until their current award concludes. NPM award holders must promptly notify NPM of any additional grants or scholarships, and NPM reserves the right to modify the scholarship's conditions at its discretion.
DURATION
The scholarship is for a duration of two years with the expected Doctoral thesis submission date being on or before 30 September 2028.
VALUE
The scholarship provides a stipend of $35,000 per year, plus $9,500 for professional development support, for a duration of two years. Successful applicants will receive a complimentary registration for the NPM Biennial International Indigenous Research Conference and NPM professional excellence activities. In this round, we aim to support a total of 6 PhD scholarship awards.
CLOSING DATE
5pm on Monday 31 March 2025
WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED?
A. Cover Letter (Word doc)*
B. Completed 2025 NPM PhD Scholarship Application Form (Word doc)
C1. Doctoral Registration Summary and
C2. Academic Transcript (PDF)
D. Curriculum Vitae (PDF using the cv template provided)
E. Letter of reference from an academic staff member
*Your cover letter should include the following:
- Your commitment to working in the Māori world and your intended career trajectory.
- Previous NPM activities you have engaged in, in particular your participation and contribution to Te Kupenga o MAI.
- What the scholarship would mean to you, the difference it will make and how the scholarship would support your PhD.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted through the NPM online application portal.
CONTACT: research@maramatanga.ac.nz