The purpose of the scholarships
The scholarships are set up to advance NZEI’s strategic direction “Leading the Profession” by providing an opportunity for early childhood education and support staff members to enhance their skills and knowledge within the workplace and in education generally.
Who is eligible?
You must be
- a fully financial member of NZEI Te Riu Roa and
- a teacher employed in an early childhood service or
- a support staff worker employed by an early childhood service or
- a support staff worker employed by a primary, area or secondary school at the time of applying.
There is also an expectation that the eligibility criteria will continue to be met during the scholarship year (2021). Any change in employment circumstances related to eligibility, either prior to accepting a scholarship offer or during the year of the scholarship, must be communicated to NZEI Te Riu Roa nzeischolarship@nzei.org.nz.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed on how well your project meets the purpose of the scholarship by showing clearly how it
- develops and strengthens your ability to contribute to your sector
- aligns with NZEI Te Riu Roa policy and the focus areas of leading the profession
- success for all
- leading education thinking
- enhanced teacher and support staff professionalism
- quality teaching and learning
- curricula.
Your application will also be judged on whether your project has the potential to:
- foster, or contribute to, greater understanding of current education sector issues
- encourage, or add to, understanding of New Zealand’s cultural identity
and how you will
- share the findings of your project, and the experience it has provided, with your colleagues and the general membership.
If you are a successful applicant, you will be required to
- provide a milestone report of your progress in June 2021 and
- submit a final report to NZEI Te Riu Roa in January 2022.
The NZEI Te Riu Roa Leading the Profession Workgroup will consider how many scholarships (up to ten) will be recommended to the National Executive for approval.
The National Executive reserves the right to determine if a report will be published and/or promoted through NZEI Te Riu Roa networks. Please note that any survey to be used with NZEI Te Riu Roa members as a result of being awarded a scholarship must first be approved by the National Executive.
Application Process
Your application will describe your project, and what you hope to achieve, in detail. It will demonstrate how the selection criteria will be met and will provide a summary of how the $6000 scholarship money would be used if you were selected as a recipient.
If you need help with your application you could seek initial support from a colleague in your workplace, network, branch or aronui tomua, someone who is willing to check you have met the application requirements including how your project links to the scholarship criteria.
If you have difficulty accessing this support, we may be able to help. Contact nzeicholarship@nzei.org.nz.
Following a decision by the selection panel you will be notified of the outcome of your application in September 2020.
The names of scholarship recipients will be made public at the 2020 NZEI Te Riu Roa Annual Conference. Recipients will receive the scholarship money in October and presentations of the Scholarship Certificate will take place at a meeting of their area council or branch/aronui tomua in Term 4 2020. In 2021 recipients will begin and complete their projects.
The Application Form must be completed electronically. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
Applications for the 2021 NZEI Te Riu Roa support staff and ECE scholarships have now closed.
Scholarship Timeline
Tuesday 30 June 2020 5pm
Closing date for applications
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, applications have been extended until Tuesday 30 June 2020
September 2020
Successful and unsuccessful applicants advised
September 2020
Scholarship recipients announced at NZEI Te Riu Roa Annual Conference
October 2020
Scholarship money deposited in recipients’ bank accounts
Late 2020
Recipients presented with Scholarship Certificates by their area council/branch/aronui tomua
2021
January: 2021
Recipients begin their projects
June: 2021
Milestone Report due
December 2021:
Recipients complete their projects
Final report due January 2022
Read about previous scholarship recipients and their reports