These postgraduate scholarships not only provide financial support, but build connections with dairy specialists through supervision and mentoring, helping our students to become the next generation of industry leaders.

DairyNZ Master's Scholarships

DairyNZ Master’s scholarship offer a tremendous prospect to kick start a career in R&D. On completion of a Master’s degree in farm systems, it is expected that scholars will apply for employment opportunities at DairyNZ as either Doctoral Students studying specialist dairy science fields, or as Graduate Developers.

Each year, up to two scholarships of $30,000p.a., plus tuition fees, are on offer. Recipients are located at a DairyNZ office, working on a DairyNZ funded industry-relevant farm systems project and co-supervised by DairyNZ. This will ensure graduates are well-supported and mentored throughout their study, and will build strong connections within the industry.

Scholars will be able to fast track their Master's by undertaking their project while completing course requirements, taking just 18 months to complete their degree (or 12 months for scholars that have already completed Honours).

View the current postgraduate profiles.

• Relevant university, eligibility and criteria

  The university of enrolment will be Lincoln, Massey or Waikato University, based on the most appropriate supervisor for the Master’s project.

  • Applicants must be in their final year of, or completed, a bachelor degree in science, agricultural science, agricultural business or economics
  • Be eligible to enrol in a Master's degree majoring in science, animal science, agricultural science, or agricultural business, at a New Zealand university
  • Be either a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident
  • Applicants must be willing to relocate, if required, to Hamilton, Palmerston North or Lincoln (determined by research locality), and be situated at a DairyNZ office
  • The scholarship is available for up to 1.5 years and covers annual tuition fees plus $30,000 p.a.

  Scholarships awarded based on:

  • a strong motivation to progress in dairy R&D
  • proof of existing connections and activity within the dairy industry
  • academic merit
  • evidence of leadership skills and critical thinking ability.

• Applications

  DairyNZ Master’s Scholarships will be advertised on DairyNZ vacancies.

Colin Holmes Dairy Scholarships

Dairy Trust Taranaki (DTT) and DairyNZ co-fund the Colin Holmes Dairy Scholarships to support postgraduate research that will benefit the dairy sector. 

The scholarships are named after Professor Colin Holmes in recognition of his outstanding service to the dairy sector during his 40-year research and lecturing career at Massey University prior to his retirement in 2007.

View the current Colin Holmes dairy scholarhip recipient profiles.

• Relevant university, eligibility and criteria

  • The university of enrolment will be Massey University
  • Applicants must be in their final year of, or completed, a bachelor degree in science, agricultural science, agricultural business or economics
  • Be eligible to enrol in a Master's degree majoring in science, animal science, agricultural science, or agricultural business, at a New Zealand university
  • Be either a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident or have appropriate student visa for the tenure of the scholarship
  • Applicants must be willing to relocate, if required, to Hamilton, or Palmerston North and be situated at a DairyNZ office
  • The scholarship is $30,000 p.a. plus annual tuition fees.

• Scholarships awarded based on

  • a strong motivation to progress in dairy research and development
  • proof of existing connections and activity within the dairy industry
  • academic merit
  • evidence of leadership skills and critical thinking ability.

• Applications

  Colin Holmes Scholarship are advertised on DairyNZ vacancies.

For more postgraduate scholarships information

Contact Susan Stokes, industry education facilitator, DairyNZ, 027 702 1263, susan.stokes@dairynz.co.nz.