Transport Research Scholarships

Since 2021 the NZ Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi (NZTA) (The Funder) has offered Transport Research Scholarships to students undertaking research into areas of interest to the New Zealand Transport Agency.

The Scholarships are provided to support students undertaking postgraduate research focussing on transport and its role and impact on New Zealand society with the primary purpose of building the capacity and capability of transport research sector in New Zealand.

Scholarships are available for research undertaken at Honours, Master's and PhD levels.

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from candidates:

  • who are enrolled in, or eligible to enrol in, full-time or part-time postgraduate study at a New Zealand university and are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents; and
  • who have not previously received a Transport Research Scholarship; and
  • who are completing the research component of their degree in the year immediately following the award (part-time scholars have a maximum of two years to complete); and
  • whose proposed course of study includes a research component based on one of the categories listed below:
    • Honours degrees: at least 60 credits with the research undertaken during the year of tenure, or
    • Master’s degrees: at least 90 credits with the research undertaken during the year of tenure, or
    • PhD degrees: applicants must be undertaking a research component with no more than 120 credits remaining until completion, or the research proposal needs to be confirmed and the research linked to a specific research activity completed during the year of tenure
  • whose research focuses on the strategic priorities of importance to the Funder as described in Appendix 1 of the Regulations.
  • do not work for either the New Zealand Transport Agency or Ministry of Cities, Environment Regions and Transport.

Selection criteria

The selection committee will determine the value and tenure of the scholarships based on the following criteria:

  • Relevance of the research to The Funder’s strategic priorities detailed in Appendix 1 of the Regulations.
  • Demonstrated academic merit of the candidate.
  • Genuine interest and evidence of commitment to the research topic.

Note: there is already a considerable body of New Zealand specific transport research funded, commissioned, and published by the NZTA available for students’ reference. Links to the relevant pages on NZTA’s website is provided in Appendix 2 of the Regulations.

Value and number awarded

One or more research scholarships, based on the information included in Appendix 1 of the regulations, may be awarded annually. 

Funding is normally: Honours $5,000 / Masters $10,000 / PhD $15,000

Opening date

1 October

Closing date

15 March

How to apply

Read the Regulations, strategic priorities and related information provided in the appendices.

Apply online here.

Decisions made

April