Are you an undergraduate student eager to gain hands-on research experience in the health sciences? The University of Otago’s Division of Health Sciences invites you to apply for the prestigious Summer Research Scholarship Programme (SRS) for the 2025/2026 cycle.
This is your chance to dive into clinical, laboratory-based, or public health research under expert supervision and receive a generous stipend while contributing to meaningful scientific discovery.
The Benefits of Scholarship
- Tax-Free Educational Grant: Minimum of $7,000 NZD for 10 weeks
- Multiple Funding Bodies: Including Otago Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), Division of Health Sciences, and external sponsors
- Exclusive Opportunities: Targeted scholarships for Māori and Pacific students, and projects in high-priority areas such as Alzheimer’s, oncology, geriatrics, men’s health, and heart disease
- Research Training: Full immersion in a research environment, enriching your degree and critical thinking skills
- Prizes and Recognition: Top students may receive awards like the PK Renshaw Prize, Gil Barbezat Prize, or Dean’s Summer Research Prize
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to undergraduate students currently enrolled at the University of Otago
- Must intend to enrol in any university in 2026
- Must be based in Dunedin over summer and supervised by Dunedin-based Otago staff
- Not eligible: Master’s/PhD candidates, graduates, or those with family/personal relationships with supervisors
Programs and Scholarship Types
| Scholarship Name | Focus Area | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMRF Scholarships | Human health, biomedical sciences, public health | $7,000 | 15+ awards |
| Marion Rhodes Memorial | Oncology or palliative care | $7,000 | OMRF administered |
| Division of Health Sciences Scholarships | Māori & Pacific Island students | $7,000 | 4 awards (2 Māori, 2 Pacific) |
| BMS Māori Summer Scholarship | Māori biomedical researchers | $7,000 | 2 awards |
| BMS Pacific Peoples’ Scholarship | Pacific Island biomedical researchers | $7,000 | 2 awards |
| Health Research Council (HRC) Ethics Studentships | Ethics or bioethics | $7,500 | Apply via HRC site |
| HRC Māori Health Studentships | Māori health projects | $7,500 | Deadline: 23 July 2025 |
| HRC Pacific Health Studentships | Pacific health projects | $7,500 | Deadline: 23 July 2025 |
Apply: https://www.otago.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/263453/2025-SRShandbook.pdf
Application Timeline
- June–July 2025: Students contact supervisors and select projects
- 14 August 2025 (5:00pm): Final date to submit applications
- October 2025: Offers released and contracts distributed
- By 24 November 2025: Projects must commence
- 19 February 2026 (5:00pm): Final report and supervisor form due
- April 2026: Final payment upon successful project completion.
