Fulbright-Ministry of Research, Science & Technology Graduate Awards

Fulbright-Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) Awards are for promising graduate students to undertake postgraduate study or research at a US institution in areas targeted to support growth and innovation in New Zealand.

Broadly, this includes enabling technologies such as biotechnology and Information Communication Technology (ICT); emerging areas of science such as nanotechnology; and supporting areas of study relevant to New Zealand's sustainable economic development and future economic growth. This includes, but is not limited to, research on food, agriculture, niche manufacturing, creative technologies*, energy and environmental sciences.

*Creative industries are supported through research and innovation of a technical nature that has applications for creative industries. This includes for example robotics, real time graphics, sensors, gaming, artificial intelligence, visualisation, collaborative environments and design. It does not include creative content material such as scripts, performing arts or animation.

Approximately 12 highly prestigious and competitive awards are offered each year to graduate students who show academic excellence, leadership potential and the ability to be a cultural ambassadors for New Zealand. Awards are granted for advanced academic study or independent research in the US.

Studying in the US is an opportunity to explore America, share your culture and make friends with students from around the world. The quality of teaching, facilities and resources is renowned worldwide.

Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Awards Fulbright offers a range of graduate awards for New Zealanders, in different fields of study: Fulbright-Platinum Triangle Scholarship in Entrepreneurship in a knowledge economy-related field Fulbright-EQC Graduate Award in Natural Disaster Research in the area of natural disaster research Fulbright-Ministry of Research, Science & Technology Graduate Awards in areas targeted to support growth and innovation in New Zealand Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Awards in any field of study You may only apply for one award. You should apply for the award most relevant to your proposed field of study. If your application is not successful for this award you may, at the discretion of Fulbright New Zealand, be considered for another of our graduate awards providing you also meet the criteria of that award.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• have at least a four-year degree (or a three-year degree with honours), but not hold a doctoral degree at the time you take up your award
• plan to undertake postgraduate study or research at a US institution for a period of at least six months
• meet the citizenship requirements for this award

Citizenship requirements

• are a New Zealand citizen
• AND are not a permanent resident or citizen of the US
• AND are not currently living in the US*
  

* Applicants outside New Zealand who are unable to attend an interview in person may be disadvantaged.

Preference for Fulbright awards is given to candidates who have not had extensive recent experience in the US.

Fulbright awards will not be granted for medical programmes which include any clinical activities involving direct patient care.

Entitlement

• return airfare to the US
• a one-off payment of US $25,000. The award will be reduced to US $15,000 if the recipient enrols in an academic programme of less than nine months duration
• basic health and accident insurance up to US$100,000
• support and enrichment seminars run by the Institute of International Education (IIE) throughout your stay in the US

The value of the Fulbright awards is not intended to fully fund your entire course of study. For this reason, you should be investigating additional funding from universities and private and government sources whilst you await the outcome of your Fulbright application. Fulbright students can often source additional funding through the US institution they attend.

We can assist you with identifying the right US university, your application and applying for financial support.

Award conditions

• you must plan to be in the US for a minimum of six months
• your award must be approved by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in Washington DC
• your award must be taken up in the American academic year following official confirmation of the award, and no earlier than July of that year
• US immigration documentation must be completed from within New Zealand
• international travel will only be funded between New Zealand and the US
• you may apply for academic training in the US for up to 18 months upon completion of your degree
• in keeping with US immigration requirements and the philosophy of the Fulbright Programme, you will be required to return to New Zealand for a minimum of two years before becoming eligible for permanent residency in the US

Fulbright orientation

It was Senator J William Fulbright's mission to build peace through the mutual understanding of cultures. Fulbright applicants and grantees are expected to understand and support this mission. To support this understanding, New Zealand grantees are required to attend a Fulbright orientation held each June in Wellington.

Application process

• you must complete and submit an online application by the deadline
• submit all support documents to us by the deadline
• interviews will be held in Wellington on 5 & 6 September. Fulbright New Zealand will pay the costs of travel to Wellington only for applicants residing in New Zealand.
• we will advise you of the outcome of your application by the end of October
• if selected for an award, you will be required to undertake a full medical examination

Application form and support documents

Online application

Applicants must complete the online application form for the Foreign Fulbright Program.

Please apply to the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, not the International Fulbright Science and Technology PhD Program.

Information pack

The Fulbright-Ministry of Research, Science and Technology Graduate Award Application Information Pack includes instructions for completing your application and copies of the support documents that need to be submitted by the application deadline in addition to your online application.

Application Information Pack:

morst-pack.doc (297kB)

Support documents

The support documents you will need to prepare are:

• Statement for Fulbright-Ministry of Research, Science and Technology Graduate Award Applicants
• three confidential letters of reference (if not submitted as part of your online application)
• certified or original academic transcripts covering the entire period of study at universities and other post-secondary institutions
• certified evidence of each university or post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate
• copies of your GRE or GMAT test scores, if you have sat these recently
• copies of any correspondence with US tertiary institutions about your enrolment (if applicable)
• current CV outlining any professional practice work experience undertaken, with a work description and the personal responsibilities involved

Confidential Letter of Reference form:

student-reference.pdf (48kB)

student-reference.doc (121kB) - can be filled out electronically

Further information

FAQs

The Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Award FAQs document answers many common questions about our awards:

Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Award FAQs:

graduateaward-faqs.pdf (55kB)

For further information, contact our Programme Manager and Educational Adviser.

Fulbright New Zealand has Campus Advisers stationed on all major New Zealand campuses. Our Advisers are all Fulbright alumni who are available to discuss their exchange experiences with students and staff, as well as to give basic information about our awards.

More on Study in the US

Study in the US	Education Services
The Study in the US section gives you all the fundamental information you need to know about studying in the US.	Find out what services Fulbright NZ offers for students and scholars in the Education Services section.