The New Zealand Government offers the New Zealand Short-term Training Scholarship to professionals from eligible countries to learn new skills in New Zealand. Scholars can use these skills to improve their own country. New Zealand Short-term Training Scholarships fund skills training and work experience for professionals from eligible Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for between a minimum of one week and up to 12 months.

Successful applicants can come to New Zealand to gain experience at a workplace, which may be a private or public sector entity or another organization, or attend a training course with a New Zealand-certified training provider.

New Zealand Short-term Training Scholarships

Course level:

  • Technical or vocational study (e.g. Certificate level)
  • Non-formal courses
  • Work experience (a work ‘placement’)
  • Diploma programs (up to Level 6 of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework)
  • Certain maritime courses (at Level 7 of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework)

Fields of study:

  • Climate Change and Resilience
    • Climate Change and the Environment
    • Disaster Risk Management
    • Food Security and Agriculture
    • Renewable Energy
  • Good Governance
    • Governance
    • Law and Justice
  • Economic Resilience
    • Economic Resilience / Private Sector
    • Information Communications Technology
    • Tourism
    • Fisheries

Institution and country: Any private or public sector entity in New Zealand OR a New Zealand-certified training provider

Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Scholarship inclusions:

  • Full tuition fees
  • Training-related costs
  • Return air travel
  • A one-off establishment allowance upon arrival
  • Accommodation
  • A weekly allowance to cover basic living costs
  • Medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship
  • Travel insurance
  • Approved visa expenses

Eligibility criteria for the New Zealand Short-term Training Scholarship:

  • Nationality. Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis, and Futuna.
  • Residency. The applicant must have lived in his/her country of citizenship for the last two years or more.
  • Not a citizen or permanent resident of any of the following countries: New Zealand, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, any European Union country, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
  • Age. Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
  • Not currently serving in the military.
  • Within the last five years, the applicant must not have had a New Zealand Scholarship terminated.
  • Must have at least one year of full-time or two years of part-time work experience (paid, unpaid or voluntary) that relates to the applicant’s career and/or proposed training program.
  • Must have received an endorsement from his/her employer (if applicable) to attend the training program.
  • Meets the academic entry requirements (including English language requirements) for the planned training program.
  • Meets immigration New Zealand requirements for a visa (visa types are determined by Immigration New Zealand at the time of application.
  • Applicants must not bring any dependents with them to New Zealand while on the scholarship.
  • Must be committed to returning to their home country for one year or more at the end of the scholarship to contribute to his/her country’s social and economic development.

Application deadline and instructions:

The New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships application process differs depending on which country you are from. You may be able to apply all year round or within application opening and closing dates.

Contact your local New Zealand Embassy or High Commission at any time for the scholarship application dates and to get the application form. Embassy and High Commission staff can help you to complete the application form.

If your scholarship is approved, you will receive a Letter of Offer with the conditions of your scholarship. All scholars must accept and abide by these conditions.

You must submit these supporting documents with your application:

  • A certified copy of the personal pages of your passport (or an alternative form of photo identification if you do not hold a passport).
  • A current curriculum vitae (in English).
  • A current job description stating your position title and outlining your responsibilities and duties, if you are employed (in English).
  • Certified copies of your academic transcripts and completion certificates (in English) for all qualifications you have completed or are completing (where applicable), including the grade assessment schedule used at each institution.
  • Where available, certified copies of your International English proficiency test results, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), from within the last 18 months; or
  • Evidence of completion of all primary education and at least three years of secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction; or
  • Evidence of completion of five years of secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction.

Other useful links:

New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships