Prime Minister's Scholarships

Supporting the Education and Professional Development of Athletes, Coaches, Support Staff and Officials

Prime Minister’s Scholarships support athletes, coaches, support team members and officials to gain educational or professional qualifications while continuing in sport.

Prime Minister’s Coach, Support Team and Official’s scholarships support eligible recipients to achieve professional development outcomes relevant to work and experience within their designated sport or area of expertise within high performance sport.

Athlete Scholarships

Purpose

To invest in educational opportunities that enable world leading performances from New Zealand’s top athletic talent, by assisting athletes to develop holistically outside sport, in ways that contribute towards their post-athletic career and enable the sustainability of our athlete talent pool.

The scholarship scheme also helps retiring athletes move smoothly into another career once their sporting careers have ended.

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What it involves

There are two categories of scholarship available:

  • Athlete – for current athletes
  • Athlete Gold – for eligible athletes that have either recently retired or been decarded. To determine your eligibility please read the programme guide or contact HPSNZ before beginning an application.

The programme provides support in:

  • A financial contribution towards academic fees (up to a maximum of $10,000 per year including GST if applicable)
  • A financial contribution towards other study costs (up to a maximum of $5,000 (Athlete) and $1,000 (Athlete Gold) per year including GST if applicable), referred to as the Study Support Allowance (SSA), which may include living expenses, study expenses (for example, exam-related fees), and books.
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How and when to apply

There are two scholarship intakes per year.

Apply Here

Please download a copy of the study plan template here to fill in with your intended study plans and upload to your application online in the ‘Application Attachments section’

Note: Please use previous login details if you are a returning applicant (even if unsuccessful) this helps to avoid creating duplicate ID’s in the system. Any issues with logging in please email PMscholarships@hpsnz.org.nz.

Applications for the primary intake of the athlete scholarship programme closes at 5pm, 30 November and are for the purpose of education in the following academic year.

NSOs may in partnership with HPSNZ stipulate and earlier closing date however this will be no later than 30 November.

Applications for the secondary intake close 5pm, 31 May and are by invitation only and are for the purpose of education in the second 6-month period of the current academic year (note that the secondary intake is subject to available Prime Minister’s Scholarship Programme funds).

Contact your Performance Life Coaching Advisor (if you have one) if you are intending on applying for a scholarship. A completed study plan is compulsory for all applicants and must be signed off by your Performance Life Coaching Advisor and endorsed by your NSO. If you do not have an Performance Life Coaching Advisor you are still required to submit your study plan with your application.

It is recommended that you complete a draft application to prepare you for the online submission process.

All scholarship related documents and access to the application portal can be found in the useful links section to the left of this page. Early applications for each intake are appreciated but will not be considered until after the closing date.

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Likelihood of success

The demand for scholarships typically exceeds the financial resources available so it is unlikely that all applicants will receive a scholarship.

Applications are assessed and prioritised by a High Performance Sport NZ panel, comprised of people with skills in high performance programme management, scholarship management and performance services.

For more information relating to the Selection Criteria and Priorities please refer to schedule 1 of the programme guide.

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Who to contact

Please contact the PM Scholarships team on pmscholarships@hpsnz.org.nz, or alternatively contact your HPSNZ Performance Life Coach

Athlete Case studies

Athlete Scholarships - Internship Programme

Purpose

HPSNZ is offering up to 10 paid internships each year for athletes through the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Athlete Internship to support athlete wellbeing, and preparation for life after sport.

This opportunity can assist athletes to sustain dual careers and explore options aligned to their interests and qualifications. Successful candidates will work with the HPSNZ Athlete Internship Lead to create an internship that suits them.

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Who can apply

Athletes from HPSNZ supported sports can apply for this paid internship opportunity.

Priority will be given to athletes that have recently completed or are in the final year of their qualification/training. Refer to the PM Scholarship Guidelines Schedule 1 for further details.

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How and when to apply

Step 1: Contact your Performance Life coach or Personal Development Manager to see if this opportunity is right for you and for support with your application. See FAQs for more information.

Step 2: Apply now through the link (see below) by 5pm 31st October.

After you have filled out the online application form, supporting documents must be emailed to internship.applications@hpsnz.org.nz

Apply here: HPSNZ Athlete Internship

Step 3: Applicants may be invited to interview with the PM Scholarship Internship Panel as part of the application and matching process.

Step 4: Successful applicants will be notified by 30th November

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Who to contact

Your Performance Life Coach, PDM or Internship Lead Hannah McLean hannah.mclean@hpsnz.org.nz

2023 recipients

Kristen Froude (rowing) – Environmental Sustainability and Animal Welfare

Ben Tuimaseve (Para athletics) – Youth Development and Education

Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics) – Sport, Youth Development and Education

Alexandra Maloney (sailing) – Health, Organisational Psychology and Change Management

Kobe Miller (rowing) – Sport Science and Management

Sionann Murphy (Para athletics and Para swimming) – Special Needs Education

Athlete Internship Case Studies

Coach Scholarships

Purpose

To invest in education and professional development opportunities to enable world leading performance from New Zealand’s top athletic talent, by prioritising resources for increasing expertise that will directly impact athlete performance and enable the sustainability of our coaching talent pool.

Applications will be considered from:

  • Coaches working with high performance athletes,
  • Coaches working directly in high performance environments,
  • NSO HP Leaders on behalf of coaches in their NSO,
  • HPSNZ Coaching Team members on behalf of coaches from across a number of sports.

Applications must be explicitly endorsed by the relevant NSOs and a member of the HP Coaching Team.

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Who can apply

There are two types of scholarship:

  • Individual – for projects that focus on individual professional development requirements.
  • Group – for project that focus on two or more coaches who share a set of professional development requirements.

 

Applications will be considered from:

  • Coaches working with high performance athletes,
  • Coaches working directly in high performance environments,
  • NSO HP Leaders on behalf of coaches in their NSO,
  • HPSNZ Coaching Team members on behalf of coaches from across a number of sports.

 

Note: Applications must be explicitly endorsed by the relevant NSOs and a member of the HP Coaching Team.

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What it involves

There are two types of scholarships available:

  • Individual – for projects that focus on individual professional development requirements.
  • Group – for project that focus on two or more coaches who share a set of professional development requirements.

Applicants must provide information on themselves and the specific professional development project being proposed. Applicants are also required to submit specific documentation in support of the application. All requirements must be met for the application to be considered.

All eligible applications are reviewed by a panel. The panel considers the relative merits of all proposed projects and reaches decisions on which will be approved, and which declined.

Examples of activities supported by the programme include:

  • Multi-sport or cross-sport coach development initiatives, accreditation requirements, business coaching, mentoring, training, internships, conferences, study visits, observations at key sporting events, discussions on ‘best’ practice, on-the-job shadowing, participation in peer network activities, participation in international committees or working groups, peer review of professional work, travel, accommodation, incidentals and in some cases limited reimbursement for lost income.

Examples of activities not supported by the programme include:

  • Sport coaching, membership fees for professional bodies or industry groups, or the purchase of any equipment associated with the applicant’s vocation, job role or as a requirement for the project.
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How and when to apply

HPSNZ offers two scholarship intakes per annum:

  • Applications are due by 5pm, 31 January 2024, for activity taking place from March-December 2024.
  • Intake 2: Applications are due by 5pm, 30 April 2024, for activity taking place June 2024-February 2025, not already considered in Intake 1.

Any project must be submitted through the online application portal.

All scholarship related documents and access to the application portal can be found in the useful links section to the left of this page. Early applications for each intake are appreciated but will not be considered until after the closing date.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria should contact their NSO or HPSNZ in advance of their application as each organisation may have additional eligibility criteria.

Applications received throughout the year outside the stipulated intakes may only be considered at the discretion of HPSNZ on a case-by-case basis and if funds permit.

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Likelihood of success

The demand for scholarships typically exceeds the financial resources available so it is unlikely that all applicants will receive a scholarship.

Applications are assessed by a HPSNZ assessment panel comprising a broad high performance skill set in areas such as: capability development, high performance programme management, high performance coaching.

For more information relating to the Selection Criteria and Priorities please refer to Schedules 1 & 2 of the programme guide.

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Who to contact

Please contact the PM Scholarships team on pmscholarships@hpsnz.org.nz, or alternatively contact your HPSNZ HP Coach Consultant (if applicable).

Coaching Case Studies

Support Team Scholarships

Purpose

To invest in education and professional development opportunities to enable world leading performance from New Zealand’s top athletic talent, by prioritising resources for increasing expertise that will directly impact athlete performance and enable the sustainability of our support team talent pool.

Applications will be considered from:

  • Support Team members working with high performance athletes,
  • Support Team members working directly in high performance environments,
  • NSO HP Leaders on behalf of support team members in their NSO,
  • HPSNZ team leaders on behalf of support team members across a number of sports.

Applications must be explicitly endorsed by the relevant:

  • NSOs,
  • HPSNZ Performance Team Leaders, and
  • Line managers.
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Who can apply

There are two types of scholarship:

  • Individual – for projects that focus on individual professional development requirements.
  • Group – for project that focus on two or more coaches who share a set of professional development requirements.

 

Scholarships are available to support team members so they can develop skills that add to New Zealand’s performance at the elite level.

Examples of activities supported by the programme include: multi-sport or cross-sport coach and leader development initiatives, accreditation requirements, business coaching, mentoring, training, internships, conferences, study visits, observations at key sporting events, discussions on ‘best’ practice, on-the-job shadowing, participation in peer network activities, participation in international committees or working groups, peer review of professional work, travel, accommodation, incidentals and in some cases limited reimbursement for lost income.

Scholarships do not support sport coaching, service delivery, membership fees for professional bodies or industry groups, or the purchase of any equipment associated with the applicant’s vocation, job role or as a requirement for the project.

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What it involves

There are two types of scholarships available:

  • Individual – for projects that focus on individual professional development requirements.
  • Group – for project that focus on two or more coaches who share a set of professional development requirements.

Applicants must provide information on themselves and the specific professional development project being proposed. Applicants are also required to submit specific documentation in support of the application. All requirements must be met for the application to be considered.

All eligible applications are reviewed by a panel. The panel considers the relative merits of all proposed projects and reaches decisions on which will be approved, and which declined.

Examples of activities supported by the programme include:

  • Multi-sport or cross-sport leader development initiatives, accreditation requirements, business coaching, mentoring, training, internships, conferences, study visits, observations at key sporting events, discussions on ‘best’ practice, on-the-job shadowing, participation in peer network activities, participation in international committees or working groups, peer review of professional work, travel, accommodation, incidentals and in some cases limited reimbursement for lost income.

Examples of activities not supported by the programme include:

  • Service delivery, membership fees for professional bodies or industry groups, or the purchase of any equipment associated with the applicant’s vocation, job role or as a requirement for the project.
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How and when to apply

HPSNZ offers two scholarship intakes per annum:

  • Intake 1: Applications are due by 5pm, 31 January 2024, for activity taking place from March-December 2024.
  • Intake 2: Applications are due by 5pm, 30 April 2024, for activity taking place June 2024-February 2025, not already considered in Intake 1.

Any project must be submitted through the online application portal.

All scholarship related documents and access to the application portal can be found in the useful links section to the left of this page. Early applications for each intake are appreciated but will not be considered until after the closing date.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria should contact their NSO or HPSNZ in advance of their application as each organisation may have additional eligibility criteria.

Applications received throughout the year outside the stipulated intakes may only be considered at the discretion of HPSNZ on a case-by-case basis and if funds permit.

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Likelihood of success

The demand for scholarships typically exceeds the financial resources available so it is unlikely that all applicants will receive a scholarship.

Applications are assessed by a HPSNZ assessment panel comprising a broad high performance skill set in areas such as: capability development, high performance programme management, high performance coaching, technology, innovation, research, performance service provision, and athlete life service provision.

For more information relating to the Selection Criteria and Priorities please refer to Schedules 1 & 2 of the programme guide.

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Who to contact

Please contact the PM Scholarships team on pmscholarships@hpsnz.org.nz, or alternatively contact your HPSNZ Performance Team Leader.

Support Team Case Studies

Officials Scholarships

Purpose

To invest in education and professional development opportunities to enable world leading performance from New Zealand’s top athletic talent, by prioritising resources for increasing expertise that will directly impact athlete performance and enable the sustainability of our officials’ talent pool.

Applications will be considered from:

  • Officials working with high performance athletes,
  • Officials working directly in high performance environments,
  • NSO Leaders on behalf of officials within their NSO,Applications must be explicitly endorsed by the applicants NSO.
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What it involves

There are two types of scholarships available:

  • Individual – for projects that focus on individual professional development requirements.
  • Group – for project that focus on two or more coaches who share a set of professional development requirements.

Applicants must provide information on themselves and the specific professional development project being proposed. Applicants are also required to submit specific documentation in support of the application. All requirements must be met for the application to be considered.

All eligible applications are reviewed by a panel. The panel considers the relative merits of all proposed projects and reaches decisions on which will be approved, and which declined.

Examples of activities supported by the programme include:

  • Multi-sport or cross-sport development initiatives, accreditation requirements, business coaching, mentoring, training, internships, conferences, study visits, observations at key sporting events, discussions on ‘best’ practice, on-the-job shadowing, participation in peer network activities, participation in international committees or working groups, peer review of professional work, travel, accommodation, incidentals and in some cases limited reimbursement for lost income.Examples of activities not supported by the programme include:

Service delivery, membership fees for professional bodies or industry groups, or the purchase of any equipment associated with the applicant’s vocation, job role or as a requirement for the project.

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How and when to apply

HPSNZ offers one scholarship intake per annum:

  • Intake 1: Applications are due by 5pm, 31 January 2024, for activity taking place from March-December 2024.
  • Intake 2: Applications are due by 5pm, 30 April 2024, for activity taking place June 2024-February 2025, not already considered in Intake 1.

Any project must be submitted through the online application portal.

All scholarship related documents and access to the application portal can be found in the useful links section to the left of this page. Early applications are appreciated but will not be considered until after the closing date.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria should contact their NSO or HPSNZ in advance of their application as each organisation may have additional eligibility criteria.

Applications received throughout the year outside the stipulated intakes may only be considered at the discretion of HPSNZ on a case-by-case basis and if funds permit.

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Likelihood of success

The demand for scholarships typically exceeds the financial resources available so it is unlikely that all applicants will receive a scholarship.

Applications are assessed by a HPSNZ assessment panel comprising a broad high performance skill set in areas such as: capability development, high performance programme management, high performance coaching, technology, innovation, research, performance service provision, and athlete life service provision.

For more information relating to the Selection Criteria and Priorities please refer to Schedules 1 & 2 of the programme guide.

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Who to contact

Please contact the PM Scholarships team on pmscholarships@hpsnz.org.nz