Fisheries New Zealand (the fisheries division of New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries) has opened applications for its 2027 scholarships for Masters and undergraduate students in quantitative fisheries science. Applications are being accepted from 15 September 2026 to 31 October 2026 — the window closes in less than two weeks, so eligible students should act fast.
Fisheries New Zealand has supported these scholarships since 2006 with one goal: to train the next generation of quantitative fisheries scientists who can contribute to the sustainable use of fisheries.
Scholarship Value — At a Glance
| Scholarship | Value | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Scholarship (joint with NIWA) | NZ$20,000 per year | Up to 2 years | Quantitative marine science — stock assessment modelling or ecosystem modelling |
| Undergraduate Scholarship | NZ$5,000 | One year | Final/Honours year of an undergraduate degree in quantitative marine biology |
Important Dates
- Applications open: 15 September 2026
- Stage 1 deadline (Masters): 31 October 2026 — CV, cover letter and transcripts to science.officer@mpi.govt.nz
- Closing date (Undergraduate): 31 October 2026
- Assessment: candidates assessed by 30 November 2026
- Stage 2 (shortlisted Masters candidates): project proposal, references and application form due 20 February 2027
Eligibility
To apply for either scholarship, you must:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (please note: this is a firm requirement — international students who do not hold NZ residency are not eligible);
- undertake full-time study in New Zealand (some coursework may be through an Australian university);
- for the Masters scholarship — be eligible for an MSc at any NZ university, with at least two 200-level papers in mathematics, statistics or computer science and at least one 300-level paper in those subjects; study must commence within 6 months of receiving the award;
- for the undergraduate scholarship — be enrolled at a university with an explicit marine biology course in third year, with at least two 200-level statistics/mathematics/computing courses.
Who Should Apply
Applicants with majors or minors in mathematics, statistics, computing and/or biology are encouraged to apply. Preference goes to students with a strong quantitative background — preferably applied statistics — combined with marine biology. Masters winners carry out research alongside NIWA and Fisheries New Zealand scientists as mentors, gaining real-world research experience.
How to Apply
There is no application form. Email the following to science.officer@mpi.govt.nz:
- a current CV (previous work experience, nationality, research experience, quantitative-methods background);
- a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this opportunity;
- a copy of your academic transcripts (with a 10–50 word description of each course);
- a note on how you heard about the scholarship.
You may hold other scholarships, but these must be disclosed to Fisheries New Zealand — in fact, you are encouraged to apply for additional scholarships that cover fees.
Official Links
- Fisheries New Zealand Scholarships — official page (MPI)
- Masters Scholarships in Quantitative Fisheries Science (Massey)
- Undergraduate Scholarships in Quantitative Marine Biology (Massey)
All dates and figures verified against the official MPI and Massey University pages on 19 October 2026. Always confirm current details on the official pages before applying.