NZAID

Postgraduate Field Research Awards
Application Guidelines | 2008/2009

NZAID is pleased to confirm that about eight awards will be available in 2008/2009 to assist Masters or Doctoral students meet a proportion of the travel expenses and related costs involved in carrying out field research in developing countries.

The awards are only available to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents that are undertaking research as part of the requirements of a New Zealand-based Masters Degree or Doctorate in a field related to international development. Normally the planned duration of field research should be at least four weeks and it should be undertaken some time within the period December 2008 to November 2009.

Each award will be for a maximum of $5,000 for Doctoral students and $3,500 for Masters students.

These guidelines set out the award schemes:

Applications close 1pm, Friday 28 November 2008

All queries, correspondence and applications should be addressed to:

Laura Prendergast
Group Administrator
Strategy, Advisory and Evaluation Group
NZAID
Private Bag 18901
Wellington

Tel | (04) 439 8412
Fax | (04) 439 8513
Email | laura.prendergast@nzaid.govt.nz

Goal

To enhance New Zealand's contribution to international development knowledge and practice through the promotion of quality student research and analysis.

Specific objectives

  1. To encourage independent critical analysis that could help inform policy and practice relevant to international development.
  2. To encourage closer linkages between development theory, policy and practice, and development research and practitioner communities.
  3. To encourage and assist New Zealand-based students to gain exposure to and experience of the developing country context as part of their postgraduate studies.
  4. To foster increased understanding of international development issues through the dissemination of the results of field-based research.

Selection criteria

The criteria for selecting the best applications are:

  1. quality of the research proposal
  2. potential of the proposed research to contribute to development knowledge (particularly for doctoral degree students)
  3. potential of the proposed research to contribute to development policy and/or practice
  4. capacity of the candidate to carry out the proposed research
  5. demonstrated commitment of the candidate to development (eg - through previous employment, active membership of relevant NGOs, and/or previous study and study visits)
  6. applications follow the guidelines set out in the format for applications.

Eligible costs

The following costs can be covered by the Awards:

  1. international and domestic airfares
  2. travel insurance
  3. a living allowance of NZ$30 per day
  4. thesis printing and binding.

Selection process

  1. Three hard copies of the applications must be received by Laura Prendergast (see top of this page for contact details), NZAID, by 1pm, Friday 28 November 2008 in the format set out below. Emailed applications will not be accepted.
  2. All applications will be assessed by a panel representing New Zealand Development Studies academics, development NGOs and NZAID.
  3. NZAID will notify applicants of the panel's decision at the end of January 2009.

Specific conditions applying to payment

Following confirmation of an award, payment of agreed costs will be dependent upon the successful applicant providing:

  1. Written evidence that the research proposal has gained the appropriate ethical approval of the university concerned.
  2. Written evidence of the acceptance of the proposed field research by the relevant counterpart/authorities of the country that the candidate proposes to visit (if required by that country). The responsibility for obtaining such approval will rest entirely with the candidate.
  3. An invoice from the travel agent and a copy of airline tickets for the reimbursement of airfares and travel insurance costs. These costs, as well as the living allowance of NZ$30 per day, can normally be paid in advance of the Awardees' travel if this documentation is received by NZAID at least two weeks prior to travel.
  4. A deposit slip for the Awardees bank account if payment by direct credit is sought. This is recommended as it will normally take five extra days for a bank to clear a cheque.
  5. A receipt for thesis printing/binding costs.

Awardees must undertake to:

  1. repay the Award in full if, for any reason, the study is not completed
  2. repay any funding received but not utilised in the course of the approved study
  3. avoid any course of action or conduct which would reflect adversely on New Zealand and to deal considerately with all those with whom they come into contact.

Upon completion of the study, the Awardee shall:

  1. provide one typed and bound copy of the completed study (including any annexes) and of any articles or other material arising from the study for the use of NZAID
  2. provide a summary (of up to one page) of the completed study to NZAID, to be posted on the national DevNet Research Database
  3. be prepared to make presentations to appropriate audiences (which may include NZAID staff, NGOs, academics and/or other postgraduate students).

Format for applications

Applications should be set out in the following format:

A) Cover sheet (1 page max.) with the following information:

  1. Applicant's name, postal address, email address and telephone number
  2. Citizenship/residency status
  3. University
  4. Course
  5. Academic supervisor's name, position, department, email address and telephone number
  6. Title and country of proposed research
  7. Summary of proposed research (50 words max.)
  8. Amount of funds applied for.

B) Research proposal (3 pages max.) including:

  • Background to the research
  • Literature review
  • Key questions to be explored/addressed
  • Proposed methodology
  • Schedule - dates for the beginning and completion of both the whole thesis and the field research component.
  • Budget - Indicate a breakdown of the expected costs of the field research, including international and domestic airfares, travel insurance, living allowance ($30 per day) and thesis printing/binding costs. Indicate which costs the Award is intended to cover and other sources of funds that can be drawn on to help cover any remaining costs.

C) Note addressing Selection Criteria points 2-5 (1 page max.).

D) Supporting documentation including:

  1. A full CV.
  2. A supporting letter from your main academic supervisor.
  3. Written evidence that the research proposal has gained the appropriate ethical approval of the university concerned (if this has already been obtained).
  4. Written evidence of the acceptance of the field research proposal by the relevant counterpart/authorities of the country that you propose to visit (if this has already been obtained).

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Page Last Reviewed: 31 July, 2008