Applications now open: Cawthron’s 2026/27 Summer Research Scholarships
13 July 2026
Every summer, Cawthron Institute offers 10-week scholarships to tertiary students from across New Zealand, giving them the chance to contribute to an active scientific research project and be mentored by some of the country’s leading marine and freshwater scientists.
This year’s projects span three of Cawthron’s key research areas:
- Determining the fish conservation values of restored wetlands (Nelson)
- Impacts of a changing climate on microalgal ecophysiology (Nelson)
- Unlocking ecologically-informed multi-species low trophic aquaculture (Nelson)
The scholarships are supported through several dedicated funds, each with its own story:
- The Sir Theodore Rigg Scholarship, for an undergraduate student, honours one of New Zealand’s most renowned agricultural and chemistry scientists, who devoted his entire career to the Institute and published more than 80 scientific papers before retiring in 1956.
- The Kathleen Curtis (Lady Rigg) Scholarship, for an undergraduate woman, honours Cawthron’s first female staff member and the first woman in New Zealand to be appointed to a research position.
- Te Pītau Whakarei Karahipi, for a Māori undergraduate student, supports Māori research capability and capacity building, delivered in partnership with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence.
- The Madge Johnston Scholarship, for a high academic and community achiever, is made possible through a bequest from Tasman resident Madge Johnston.
Emerging Scientist Scholarships are also offered where suitable projects and funding allow.
Applications are open now at careers.cawthron.org.nz.
Cawthron also welcomes contributions to its existing scholarship funds, or support to establish a new one. Get in touch to find out more.
