Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2026 for BS, MS and PHD (Fully Funded)

Applications will open soon for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2026, a fully funded scholarship program by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). These scholarships support citizens from selected developing countries in the Pacific and Asia regions to pursue tertiary (undergraduate and postgraduate) study in New Zealand or, for some Pacific applicants, at Pacific institutions.

The program is fully funded, covering tuition fees, living allowances, travel costs, medical and travel insurance, establishment allowances, and more—no application fee is required. Scholarships are not open to all nationalities; only citizens of eligible Pacific and Asian countries qualify. Applications open at midnight on 1 March 2026 (NZ time) and close at midday on 31 March 2026 (NZ time).  You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Degree Level: Undergraduate, Diplomas, Master’s, PhD
• Host Country: New Zealand
• Application Period: 1 March 2026 – 31 March 2026
• Open for All Nationalities?: No – Only citizens from specific eligible Pacific and Asia countries
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• No Application Fee

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Full coverage of tuition fees for approved programs at top New Zealand universities (all ranked in global top 3%).
• Generous living allowance to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses.
• Return airfares (economy class) to and from your home country.
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance for the duration of your study.
• Establishment and thesis allowances (for research degrees) to help settle in and complete studies.
• Intensive pastoral care, enrichment activities, and ongoing support from New Zealand institutions.

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Eligibility Criteria:

To apply, you must meet all the following criteria (full details are country-specific; complete the online eligibility questionnaire on the official site to confirm):

• Be a citizen of an eligible country in the Pacific or Asia regions (check the official eligible countries list for your country).
• Have resided in your home country for at least two years immediately prior to applying (exceptions for those on diplomatic assignments abroad or enrolled in overseas study).
• Be at least 18 years old when starting the scholarship.
• For postgraduate applicants: Have relevant work experience—one year full-time or two years part-time (up to 29 hours/week); can be paid, unpaid, or voluntary.
• Meet the academic entry requirements of your preferred New Zealand education institution.
• Meet English language requirements of the institution.
• Not be within a stand-down period from a previous New Zealand Government scholarship.
• Not be currently serving in the military.

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How to Apply:

1. Confirm your eligibility using the online questionnaire on the official site.
2. Research approved courses at New Zealand universities (or Pacific options if eligible) that match priority sectors.
3. Prepare documents: passport, academic transcripts, English test results (if required), references, CV, and a personal statement on your development impact plans.
4. Apply online via the Manaaki Scholarships portal when it opens (1 March 2026).
5. Submit before the deadline—early applications are strongly recommended.

Also Check: Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships Worldwide for BS, MS and PhD 2026