It was Senator J. William Fulbright’s mission to build peace through the mutual understanding of cultures. Fulbright applicants and grantees are expected to understand and support this mission and be effective ambassadors for New Zealand.
In addition to the monetary, educational and cultural exchange benefits made possible by the award, Fulbright grantees carry the prestige of the Fulbright programme along with them throughout their careers. Alumni are expected to succeed and be ‘thought leaders’ in their respective fields/careers, and to support and remain engaged with the Fulbright programme for the rest of their lives.
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Fulbright-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Graduate Award
Aim and Benefits of Fulbright-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Graduate Award
The entitlement includes:
- A one-off payment of up to US$50,000 towards the first year of study or research. The award will be reduced if the recipient takes up a study or research programme of less than nine months duration;
- Students undertaking multi-year Masters or PhD degrees have the opportunity to apply for additional funding of up to US$40,000 towards their second year of study. Funding for second year study is not guaranteed;
- NZ$4,000 reimbursed towards a return airfare from NZ to the US;
- Access to the Institute of International Education (IIE)’s University Placement Services to assist you with identifying the most suitable US university and academic programme, your application and applying for financial support; and IIE’s ongoing support whilst you are in the US;
- Participation in a pre-departure programme run by Fulbright New Zealand before your departure to the US (worth NZ$500) and enrichment seminars run by IIE throughout your stay in the US;
- A basic health benefit plan covering a maximum of US$100,000 per sickness or injury.
Requirements for Fulbright-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Graduate Award Qualification
To be eligible, you must:
- Have achieved 480 points, which must include a completed undergraduate degree. Fulbright New Zealand will also accept applications from candidates who were granted direct entry into the second year of a degree programme, therefore completing a 480-point degree with 360 points. In exceptional circumstances, Fulbright New Zealand may consider the application of a student with a 360-point degree provided they have both:
- the strong support of their tertiary institution (from a Dean or member of senior management); and
- have a conditional offer from a US institution.
- Not yet hold a doctoral degree;
- Plan to undertake full-time postgraduate study or research which fits within one of Ng? Pae o te M?ramatanga’s research themes at a US institution for a period of at least six months; and
- Meet the citizenship requirements for this award.
You are eligible to apply for this award if you:
- are a New Zealand citizen;
- and are not a permanent resident or citizen of the US;
- and are not currently living in the US.
Interview date, Process and Venue for Fulbright-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Graduate Award
The award conditions are:
- Your award must be approved by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in Washington, DC;
- Your award is conditional on acceptance into an approved institution and course of study or research;
- For VSR programmes the period of award must be between 6 and 12 months;
- For Masters and PhD programmes, the period of the award will be between 1 and 2 years;
- If you are a degree-seeker, your award must be taken up in the American academic year commencing Fall/August, (or July if required by your programme), following official confirmation of the award;
- If you are a VSR, your award must be taken up in the American academic year commencing Fall/August, following official confirmation of the award;
- You will be required to undertake a full medical examination before applying for your visa;
- You must travel on a New Zealand passport, and US immigration documentation must be completed from within New Zealand Grantees must use the DS-2019 form provided by Fulbright New Zealand to obtain an Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa to enter the United States. You will be required to attend a visa interview at the US Consulate in Auckland in order to obtain your visa;
- International travel will only be funded between New Zealand and the US, and must be on either an American or New Zealand carrier;
- You may apply for an additional period of practical experience/academic training in the US for up to 18 months upon completion of your degree (conditions apply);
- You may be required to fulfil some Fulbright New Zealand/Ng? Pae o te M?ramatanga media requirements before your departure for the US, during your exchange and/or on return to New Zealand, and to give presentations to suitable fora of indigenous scholars and/or community groups;
- Fulbright grantees must travel to the US on an Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa. A requirement of this visa is that you must return to your home country for a cumulative total of two years at the end of your exchange visitor programme before becoming eligible to apply to live in the US. This home-country foreign residency requirement is in keeping with the philosophy of the Fulbright exchange programme, that you return to New Zealand to share your experiences. Note that you will not be prohibited from travelling to the US for short-term visits on the visa waiver program or a non-immigrant visa;
- Prospective Fulbright participants should be aware that public health conditions, availability of consular services and travel, as well as U.S. institutional operating status and policies may affect their ability to travel to the U.S. and participate in academic programmes.
Application Deadline
August 1, 2025How to Apply
The steps to apply are:
- You must complete and submit an online application by the application deadline*;
- You must also submit all required support documents to us by the application deadline;
- Interviews will be held in Wellington. Fulbright New Zealand will pay the costs of travel to Wellington only for applicants residing in New Zealand. Applicants outside New Zealand who are unable to attend an interview in person may be disadvantaged;
- We will advise you of the outcome of your application in early October.
Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open! The application deadline is 5pm Friday 1 August 2025.
- Download the Application Instructions, which includes a link to the online application portal. Please read this document carefully before beginning your application.
- Download the Supplementary Form, complete, and upload as part of your application.
- Please note that all three of your recommendations must be received by the application deadline.
If you have any questions please email the award Programme Manager Lauren Summersell, on [email protected].
For more details, visit Fulbright Scholarship webpage
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