Summer Research Scholarship Programme

If you’re in third-year or above, interested and skilled in research, you could spend the summer supporting a research project and earn a valuable scholarship.

Summer Research Scholarship Programme offers a unique opportunity for external organisations, academics, and students to work together in research. Working with globally recognised researchers in a local setting, students gain valuable real-world experience as well as an insight into what research is all about.

Depending on the project, students can gain experience and skills in data collection, data analysis, literature reviews, or interviewing techniques. They may learn to use specialised software or acquire specialist skills in the laboratory.

2025/2026 applications

2025/2026 applications for Summer Research Scholarship Programme will open Monday, 25 August 2025 and close at 4:30 p.m. Friday, 5 September 2025.

Opportunities for Māori students are also available through the Ahunuku Māori Summer Research Scholarship Programme.

We are unable to consider late or incomplete applications.

Applicants will be required to provide a CV, and briefly describe their experience in relation to the research projects that they are applying for. You can apply for up to three projects.

What’s involved

Students will be expected to work on a research project for up to 10 weeks (400 hours) over the summer trimester, under the supervision of well-established researchers or a research team at the University.

What it’s worth

Each Summer Research Scholarship includes a minimum tax-free stipend of $8,000.

Eligibility and conditions

The Scholarship is open to students who have completed at least two years of their undergraduate degree and who are currently enrolled at any Australian or New Zealand University in an undergraduate, Honours, or the first year of a Master’s degree.

Students enrolled in a PhD or Master's by Thesis are not eligible.

Recipients must submit an application for enrolment to Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington for the 2026 academic year by 31 October 2025 to be eligible for the scholarship. In cases where students are moving on to PhD study, they must have applied by the 1 November 2025 round but not be starting their doctoral study until the end of the summer research period.

Upon enrolment, a VUW student ID is issued, which is a requirement for payment of the scholarship stipend.

Download the Summer Research Scholarship conditions (PDF) for a full list of the award regulations.

Contact

Scholarships Office
summer-research@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04

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Scholarships