On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Scholarships

Scholarships available to both Masters and undergraduate students in the fields of fisheries science and marine biology.

General

PhD: Population Connectivity and Biological Assessment of Non-Target Fisheries Species in the Ross Sea

We are seeking a PhD student for a project that aims to investigate basic biology and population connectivity of several non-target species that are caught in the longline fisheries in the Ross Sea, but whose populations also extend northward into the New Zealand Economic Exclusion Zone (waters that are managed solely by New Zealand). Antarctic fisheries are managed using ecosystem-based and precautionary approaches that attempt to balance conservation and the rational use of resources while maintaining existing ecological relationships. Currently non-target species are managed in the absence of basic biological information. The work is intended to improve the quality of key information on bycatch species for the management of these species within CCAMLR (i.e., have a direct impact on management and policy), but also to monitor changes that might be occurring as a result of ecological disturbance (e.g., climate variability, fisheries impacts).

This PhD scholarship is part of a joint project between Earth Sciences New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), and Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU). The successful candidate is expected to enroll at Victoria University of Wellington (supervised by Drs Peter Ritchie (main supervisor, VUW), Alice Rogers (VUW), Jennifer Devine and Matt Pinkerton (Earth Sciences New Zealand)) and take part in a scientist exchange at Shanghai Ocean University to utilize their laboratories and expertise in one or more of the following areas: otolith microchemistry, stable isotopes, fatty acids, genetics, or parasites. There is potential to take part in an Antarctic survey through existing Antarctic research collaborations, subject to availability and alignment with an existing field event. The scholarship includes:

  • A stipend of $35,000 NZD per year + coverage of university fees for 3 years
  • Funding for travel to Shanghai Ocean University

This position will be primarily based at Earth Sciences New Zealand (https://www.earthsciences.nz, Greta Point location) and Victoria University of Wellington (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz ) in Wellington, New Zealand (https://www.wellingtonnz.com). There are also opportunities to travel to and work with researchers at the Shanghai Ocean University (https://www.shou.edu.cn/eng/). Applicants for this PhD position should send a CV, contact details of two academic referees, and a cover letter that states why you are interested in the position and how your qualifications and experience make you a good fit for the proposed research to Jennifer Devine (Jennifer.Devine@niwa.co.nz). Short-listing of applicants for the position will begin on 1 September 2025. The successful candidate will be expected to begin in February 2026 or sooner. For more information about studying at Victoria University of Wellington and the entry requirements for the PhD program please see http://www.victoria.ac.nz/study/programmes-courses/postgraduates/phds-doctorates.

Fisheries New Zealand

2026 Masters Scholarships in Quantitative Fisheries Science

2026 Masters Scholarships in Quantitative Fisheries Science

$20,000 per year for up to 2 years.Toggle expandable

Scholarships are available for Masters students in the field of quantitative marine science, particularly stock assessment modelling or ecosystem modelling.

We encourage you to apply if you have a major or minor in mathematics, statistics, computing, or biology. Applicants with a strong quantitative (particularly applied statistics) or computer programming background, combined with marine biology, will be favoured.

To apply, you must:

  • have been eligible to do a Master of Science (MSc) at any New Zealand university
  • have a suitable university supervisor and research provider or Fisheries New Zealand technical advisor before stage 2 (a potential university supervisor is desirable but not necessary for stage 1)
  • be starting study within 6 months of getting a scholarship
  • have completed at least two 200-level papers in mathematics, statistics or computer science, and at least one 300-level paper in mathematics, statistics or computer science during your undergraduate study
  • be studying full-time
  • be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

How to apply

Before you start, read the  Masters scholarship information sheet [PDF, 148 KB]

Stage 1: send us information about you

Prepare the following information and send to science.officer@mpi.govt.nz

  • A current CV.
  • A cover letter outlining why you are interested in this opportunity.
  • A copy of your academic transcript.
  • A list of courses taken with a 10-word to 50-word description of each.

Stage 2: complete an application, if requested

If you are successful in stage 1, we'll invite you to complete part 2 of the application form. You'll need to include a full project proposal.

Masters scholarship application form – part 2 [PDF, 459 KB]

Applications close on October 31.

2026 Undergraduate scholarships in Quantitative Marine Biology

$5,000 for your final year of undergraduate study.

Scholarships are available for undergraduate students interested in an Honours year or doing a double-major in:

  • biology or marine biology, with
  • mathematics, computing, or statistics.

Applications with a strong quantitative background (such as statistics) will be favoured.

To apply, you must:

  • have completed a minimum of 2 statistics, computer programming or mathematics course at 200-level
  • have planned to take or have completed one statistics, computer programming, or mathematics courses, as well as a marine biology course at 300-level.

How to apply

Before you start, read the  undergraduate scholarship information sheet [PDF, 198 KB]

Prepare a cover letter including:

  • a short description of courses taken
  • proposed courses for the next year
  • your future goals.  

Send your cover letter and CV to science.officer@mpi.govt.nz 

Note, there is no application form for undergraduate scholarships. 

Applications close on October 31.