About the MBIE Science Whitinga Fellowship
The MBIE Science Whitinga Fellowship is aimed at supporting excellent early career researchers impacted by COVID-19 in the New Zealand research science system. This is a one-off initiative and will provide support of around $10 million over two years for 30 Fellows.
Current Status
The application portal is now closed
Objective
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on world economy and is likely to have long-term adverse impacts on the Research, Science and Innovation workforce. In response to the reduced opportunities experienced by New Zealand early career researchers (ECRs), MBIE is providing this one-off funding opportunity to support the retention and development of ECRs with the potential to excel in a research environment.
The Fellowship intends to support up and coming researchers to rise and establish a career in their chosen field of research. This is captured in the name of the Fellowship ‘Te whitinga mai o te rā,’ which can translate to “the rising of the sun”.
Description
30 Fellows will be selected for a two-year Fellowship to undertake research in any field (including the humanities, mātauranga and social science) at an eligible New Zealand research institution.
Te Whitinga Fellowship will be administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi for the New Zealand Government. The final decision on the applicants who will be awarded a fellowship will be made by MBIE.
Funding available
The two year Te Whitinga Fellowship will award per annum (excluding GST):
- $75,000 towards the researcher’s salary
- $75,000 in organisational overheads
- $10,000 for research-related expenses.
The total value of Te Whitinga Fellowship is $320,000 per award.