Move to New Zealand Fully Funded! Victoria University of Wellington Opens Applications for $25,000 Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History @Unknown

Victoria University of Wellington has announced applications for the prestigious Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History, offering postgraduate students financial support to pursue advanced historical research at the university.

The scholarship, valued at up to NZ$25,000, is open to both domestic and international students undertaking Master’s by thesis or PhD research in History at the university, officially known as Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Applications for the scholarship close on 31 October.

Scholarship Honors Legacy of Jack Pearce

The Jack Pearce Research Scholarship was established in memory of Jack Pearce (1911–1994), whose family created the award to support students pursuing higher education opportunities that were not available to him during his youth.

According to the university, the scholarship was founded through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation by Jack Pearce’s daughter, the late Brenda Joyce.

The initiative aims to:

• Support postgraduate research in History.
• Expand educational opportunities for future scholars.
• Assist students facing financial hardship.
• Encourage advanced academic research in the humanities.

The university said the scholarship continues the family’s vision of helping talented students access opportunities for higher education and research.

Funding Available for Master’s and PhD Students

The scholarship provides one successful applicant with financial support for one year of postgraduate study.

Key funding details include:

• Scholarship Value: NZ$25,000 (subject to available funding).
• Tenure: One year.
• Number Offered: One scholarship annually.
• Study Level: Master’s by thesis or PhD research.
• Study Area: History within Humanities and Social Sciences.

The university clarified that approximately NZ$20,000 of the scholarship funding will be directed toward tuition fees, while the remaining balance will be paid directly to the student as a living stipend.

Open to Domestic and International Applicants

The scholarship is available to a wide range of postgraduate applicants, including international students intending to study in New Zealand.

Eligible candidates include:

• Students enrolled in a Master’s by thesis programme in History.
• PhD candidates undertaking historical research.
• Applicants transferring from other universities.
• Domestic and international students.
• Part-time students, who may receive pro-rated funding support.

Preference will be given to Master’s by thesis applicants, although PhD candidates may also be considered if suitable Master’s applicants are unavailable.

Selection Based on Academic Merit and Research Potential

The university stated that scholarship recipients will primarily be selected based on academic excellence and the university’s ability to supervise the proposed research topic.

Selection considerations include:

• Academic achievement and research performance.
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed research project.
• Alignment with the university’s History research strengths.
• Financial need in cases where applicants are equally competitive.

The university also noted that if no suitable candidate is identified during a particular year, the scholarship may not be awarded, with funds instead reinvested for future opportunities.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must complete an online application before the deadline and submit all required supporting documents.

Required materials include:

• A brief description of the proposed research topic.
• A personal statement.
• Completed financial information section.
• One academic reference submitted through the online portal.

The university warned that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Scholarship Conditions and Expectations

Recipients of the scholarship will be expected to meet several academic and administrative conditions throughout the funding period.

These include:

• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
• Remaining enrolled at the university during the scholarship tenure.
• Providing an end-of-year progress report.
• Writing a formal thank-you letter to the donor family.
• Participating in university events or promotional activities if requested.

The university also confirmed that the scholarship cannot be deferred to another academic year.

Additionally:

• The award may not be held alongside other major postgraduate scholarships.
• Students who withdraw from the university during the scholarship period may be required to repay part of the funding.
• Part-time study arrangements must receive prior approval from the Scholarships Office.

Strong Support for Humanities Research

The Jack Pearce Research Scholarship reflects the university’s continued investment in humanities and historical research at a time when global interest in social history, cultural studies, and interdisciplinary humanities scholarship continues to grow.

The scholarship provides students with opportunities to:

• Conduct independent historical research.
• Build advanced academic and analytical skills.
• Contribute to scholarly understanding of historical issues.
• Develop careers in academia, public history, archives, and research institutions.

The programme also highlights New Zealand’s broader commitment to supporting postgraduate research and international academic collaboration.

Application Deadline Approaches

Students interested in applying are encouraged to prepare their research proposals and supporting documents early ahead of the 31 October deadline.

Applications are expected to attract interest from both domestic and international scholars seeking financial support for advanced historical research in New Zealand.

The successful recipient will be selected by the University Research Scholarships Committee, with the outcome communicated in collaboration with the donor’s family.

VISIT HERE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding

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