The Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded study opportunity for international students who wish to pursue undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degrees in New Zealand. The scholarship is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and supports students from eligible countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
This program aims to build leadership capacity and contribute to sustainable development by providing access to high-quality education at leading New Zealand universities and institutes.
Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship 2026 Overview:
- Offered By: New Zealand Government
- Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Study Destination: New Zealand
- Eligible Applicants: Citizens of approved countries
- Application Deadline: 10 April 2026
Levels of Study Available
- Undergraduate Degree (3–4 years)
- Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
- Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
- Master’s Degree (1–2 years)
- PhD (up to 3.5 years)
Financial Benefits
The Manaaki Scholarship provides comprehensive financial coverage for the duration of the program.
- Full tuition fees
- Weekly living allowance of NZ$531
- Establishment allowance of NZ$3,000 (for initial expenses such as accommodation and study materials)
- Medical insurance during the study period
- Round-trip airfare
- Travel insurance
- One or two funded trips home (depending on scholarship length)
- Research and thesis support for postgraduate students
Participating Universities and Institutions
Students can study at recognized New Zealand institutions, including:
- University of Auckland
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- Massey University
- Lincoln University
- Auckland University of Technology
- Southern Institute of Technology
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Wintec – Waikato Institute of Technology
Also Check: Australia Awards Scholarships 2027 in Australia (Fully Funded)
Eligible Countries List:
There are Different Countries eligible for the Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship 2026. The List of the Countries is Given below.
Pacific Countries:
Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Asian Countries:
Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar*, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives.
African Countries:
Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leonne, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Caribbean Countries:
Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname.
Latin American Countries:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuel
Available Study Fields
Academic disciplines vary depending on country development priorities. Common areas include:
- Science and Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Agriculture and Climate Change
- Public Health
- Economics and Development Studies
- Education
- Technology and Innovation
- Governance and Public Policy
Also Check: Romanian Government Scholarship 2026 in Romania (Fully Funded)
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is based on several factors:
- Citizenship of an eligible country
- Residence in the home country for a specified period
- Relevant work experience (especially for postgraduate applicants)
- Academic qualifications meeting university standards
- Program alignment with country development priorities
- Completion of the official eligibility questionnaire
Application Deadline
The final date to apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship 2026 is: 31 March 2026
How to Apply for Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship?
The application procedure varies by country. Candidates must:
- Confirm eligibility through the official questionnaire
- Review country-specific guidelines
- Apply online through the Manaaki Scholarship portal
- Submit academic and supporting documents
- Await nomination and final selection
