Sir Lloyd Geering Scholarship in Religion

Study area(s): Humanities and Social Sciences
Scholarship level: Doctoral; Master’s Research
Closing date(s): 31 October
Tenure: One year
Award for: International; Domestic
Number offered: One
Value: $7,500 (subject to funds available) to be paid towards tuition fees. If there are any excess funds they will be paid directly to the recipient.

History and purpose

This scholarship has been established in honour of Sir Lloyd Geering to support students undertaking postgraduate study in Religious Studies. Sir Lloyd was the founding Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in 1971. He contributed greatly to the study of religion in New Zealand and to thinking about transformations of religion in modernity. The horizons of his research incorporated critical reflection on broad-ranging themes, including the history of religion, religion and the secular, environmental and social justice, diversity, scripture and theology, lived religion, religion in New Zealand, and the future of religion.

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants for this scholarship must be enrolled, or are intending to enrol, in a Master’s or PhD degree in Religious Studies at at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington.
  • Applicants can be either part-time or full-time students.

Selection criteria

  • Applicants must be enrolled, or intending to enrol, in a Master’s or PhD degree in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington.
  • Applicants should undertake research that builds on Lloyd Geering’s expansive, innovative and critical legacy of research on religion.
  • Selection will be based on academic merit and the quality of the student’s research project.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

  • A personal statement outlining the desired area of research, their intended research project and how they fit the scholarship criteria
  • Academic transcript
  • One academic reference (to be requested via the online application)

Selection process

The successful recipient will be selected by the Programme Director of Religious Studies (or their nominee) in consultation with the Head of School and other appropriate staff.

Additional information

The successful recipient must write a letter of thanks to the donor of this scholarship.

Applicants may only receive this scholarship once over the course of their degree.

Applicants may be invited to attend an interview if the scholarship selection panel deem it necessary.

If part time study for the recipient is approved, their scholarship award may be pro-rated. This decision will be made by the decision-making panel.

Regulations and conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
  2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
  5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04