Deadline:
April 11, 2025
Location(s)
Argentina China India Japan Mexico Peru Worldwide
Various universities
Overview
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America (PMSLA) is a programme funded by the New Zealand government and administered by Education New Zealand.
Details
The scholarship aims to:
- Strengthen institutions’ connections with their counterparts in key Latin America countries
- Promote understanding of the strength and quality of New Zealand’s education system and raise awareness in Latin America of New Zealand as a preferred education destination
- Improve the international skills of the New Zealand workforce
- Strengthen people to people connections between New Zealand and countries in Latin America through participants building lifelong friendships and networks.
- Strengthen New Zealand’s ability to engage with key Latin American trading partners
- Improve New Zealanders’ understanding of Latin American business practice and culture
The scholarship is awarded to individuals and currently covers the following costs relating to study, internship or research in Latin America:
1. Individuals on an exchange, internship or other independent programmes
- Tuition fees of Latin American institutions (not NZ fees)
- Internship brokerage fees
- Return economy class flights NZ-Latin America - NZ$2,500
- Contribution to living, accommodation, visa, insurance etc costs of $270* per week on study programme.
*If brokerage/programme fees cover accommodation, the maximum weekly contribution to living costs will be NZ$170 per week.
2. Individuals in group programmes
- New Zealand Tertiary providers/institutions may apply to the PMSLA to fund a group (3+) to travel together to Latin America on a specified programme that meets PMSLA goals
- Group programmes are applied for separately under the PMSLA, and have their own application and reporting requirements. Funding for individuals on group programmes is as above.
HOW LONG?
Programmes must be a minimum of 4 weeks and not exceed 24 months. Maximum funded weeks over 24 months is 72.
WHAT PROGRAMMES?
Applicants must propose programmes that can be demonstrated to be linked to New Zealand’s education, economic or trade agenda in Latin America, and may include business, social sciences, the creative arts and culture, indigenous studies, ICT/new media.] Programmes can be either:
- An undergraduate or postgraduate part or whole programme in a relevant subject area at an approved institution. Exchange programmes are included here.
- A full-time internship (or part-time with additional study). Internships for longer than 12 weeks may be considered.
- Education, trade or economic-related research or development including development/research for intending or existing teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, to target countries, including cooperative or independent research at educational institutions. Research applicants other than existing language teachers, must be currently enrolled at a New Zealand tertiary institution in a master's or PhD programme.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Who can apply?
The Prime Minister's Scholarship is open to those who meet the following criteria:
- At least 18 years old at the date of applying
- New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- Have been a resident in New Zealand for at least 12 of the previous 24 months
- Not an immediate relative of an Education New Zealand staff member or selection panel member
- Medically fit to travel (successful applicants will need to agree to complete any routine medical checks performed at the border, such as COVID-19 tests)
- Able to attend the full duration of your proposed programme overseas
- Eligible for an entry visa into your host country
- Have not previously received a Prime Minister’s Scholarship of the same type you are applying for (group or individual) (and see myth buster #5 below for more info)
- The host country region or regions you are intending to visit during your programme must be safe for travel (rated either "exercise normal safety and security precautions" or "exercise increased caution" on New Zealand's SafeTravel advisory scale) - noting that travel advisories may change at any time.
The qualities we look for in applicantsCommunity-minded
You identify with your community and can demonstrate your connection and contribution to this community (for example via volunteering, leadership roles or mentoring others).
- Culturally aware: You are able to explain how you expect to contribute to the goal of building mutual understanding whilst overseas (for example by learning about your host country's culture, explaining what it means to be a New Zealander, and building meaningful relationships).
- Anticipated collective benefit: You can describe how you will use your experience to benefit your wider community (for example by sharing knowledge, skills, and connections; and taking action for the benefit of your community).
- Ambassadorial: You can positively represent Aotearoa New Zealand overseas, as well as your New Zealand education provider (if applicable). You are an effective communicator, emotionally intelligent, and well rounded. You exhibit strong core values, such as integrity.
- Adaptable: You have the potential to succeed in a different environment (whether studying or working). You are independent and show initiative, anticipate challenges, solve problems effectively, and are positive and motivated.
- Anticipated individual benefits: You are able to articulate how you expect to benefit from the international experience. You may discuss your expected personal growth (for example in terms of new attitudes, skills, confidence, knowledge of other cultures), and anticipated education and career benefits (for example establishing new networks, re-engaging with your studies, opening up new career paths and opportunities to work in areas that strengthen New Zealand's connections to the world).
Dates
Deadline: April 11, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Scholarship funding
Individuals on an exchange, internship or other independent programme can receive:
-
Tuition fees to undertake a course in Asia or Latin America (if you are undertaking an exchange where you continue to pay NZ fees, the scholarship will not cover these)
-
Brokerage fees of approved internship providers (for internships only)
-
Return economy flights NZ-Asia $3,500 or NZ-Latin America $4,500
-
Contribution to living and accommodation costs of $470 for each week actively on programme in Asia and $380 each week in Latin America
-
Travel and medical insurance
-
Contribution to visa fees up to a maximum of $200
-
For a group programme application, additional funding of up to $20,000 at the discretion of the selection panel. This will be sourced from within the appropriated funding for the Prime Minister's Scholarships.
Latin America
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A one-semester exchange or study abroad programme is supported for 18 weeks: $6,840
-
A two-semester exchange or study abroad programme is supported for 36 weeks: $13,680
-
A full year academic programme is supported for 36 weeks: $13,680
-
A two-year academic programme is supported for 72 weeks: $27,360
Asia
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A one-semester exchange or study abroad programme is supported for 18 weeks: $8,460
-
A two-semester exchange or study abroad programme is supported for 36 weeks: $16,920
-
A full year academic programme is supported for 36 weeks: $16,920
-
A two-year academic programme is supported for 72 weeks: $33,840
All figures above are in New Zealand dollars.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
