Victoria University of Wellington Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History 2026, New Zealand
The Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History 2026 at Victoria University of Wellington offers an excellent opportunity for students pursuing postgraduate research in history. This scholarship supports both Master’s by thesis and PhD students who wish to conduct advanced historical research at one of New Zealand’s leading universities.
Valued at up to $25,000, the scholarship is designed to assist students who demonstrate strong academic merit and a clear research proposal in the field of history. It also supports students experiencing financial hardship and aims to encourage talented scholars from around the world to pursue historical research.
Scholarship Overview
Scholarship Name: Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History
University: Victoria University of Wellington
Host Country: New Zealand
Scholarship Value: Up to $25,000
Study Level: Master’s by Research and PhD
Number of Awards: One scholarship annually
Duration: One year
Application Deadline: 31 October
About the Scholarship
The scholarship was created in memory of Jack Pearce (1911–1994). Although he aspired to attend university, he was unable to pursue higher education due to financial limitations during his youth. The scholarship was later established by his daughter Brenda Joyce to ensure that future generations have access to the educational opportunities that Jack Pearce once dreamed of.
Through this scholarship, many students are able to pursue advanced studies in history and develop their research careers.
Degree Level
The Jack Pearce Research Scholarship supports students pursuing:
Master’s by Thesis in History
Doctoral (PhD) Research in History
Preference is generally given to Master’s by thesis students, although PhD applicants may also be considered if suitable Master’s candidates are not available.
Available Subjects
Eligible applicants must conduct research in:
History
The scholarship is available within the Humanities and Social Sciences faculty at the university.
Benefits
The Jack Pearce Research Scholarship provides several benefits for postgraduate students, including:
Total funding up to $25,000
Approximately $20,000 allocated toward tuition fees
Remaining funds paid directly to the student as a stipend for living expenses
Financial support for postgraduate historical research
The scholarship is intended to help students focus on their research without financial pressure.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Jack Pearce Research Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a Master’s by thesis or PhD in History
Study at Victoria University of Wellington
Demonstrate strong academic merit
Submit a clear research proposal in the field of history
Be either a domestic or international student
Students transferring from other universities to Victoria University of Wellington are also eligible to apply.
Part-time students may apply and may receive the scholarship on a pro-rata basis.
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
Academic excellence
Quality and feasibility of the proposed research topic
Ability of the university to supervise the research project
If applicants have similar academic qualifications, financial need may also be considered.
The final decision is made by the University Research Scholarships Committee.
Application Procedure
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents:
A completed online scholarship application
A brief description of the proposed research topic
A personal statement
Financial information within the application form
One academic reference
All supporting documents must be submitted before the deadline.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History is:
31 October (4:30 PM)
Applications typically open about one month before the closing date, so students should prepare their materials in advance.
Additional Scholarship Conditions
Recipients must:
Write a thank-you letter to the scholarship donor
Submit an end-of-year research progress report
Remain enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington during the scholarship tenure
The scholarship cannot be deferred and generally cannot be held alongside other major postgraduate scholarships.
Why Study History at Victoria University of Wellington?
Victoria University of Wellington is one of the top research universities in New Zealand. Its history department offers strong academic supervision, world-class research opportunities, and access to valuable historical archives and resources.
Students pursuing postgraduate research in history at the university benefit from a supportive academic environment and international research collaboration opportunities.
