The Draft New Zealand Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Strategy  identifies areas for focussing future Antarctic and Southern Ocean research activities. The Postgraduate Research Scholarship Programme is designed to encourage researchers to pursue interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean taking the draft science strategy into account.

New Zealand Post, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, Helicopters New Zealand and Antarctica New Zealand are generously supporting this scholarship programme.

Three scholarships are offered annually (only one the Doctoral scholarships is awarded each year, for a two-year period). For the 2010/2011 season, these are:

New Zealand Post Antarctic Scholarship For research in the 10/11 season Award of $10,000 plus logistics support in Antarctica
Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Scholarship For research in the 10/11 season Award of $10,000 plus logistics support in Antarctica
Sir Robin Irvine Doctoral Scholarship For Doctoral research in the 09/10 and 10/11 seasons Award of $20,000 per annum (total of $40,000) plus logistics support in Antarctica [already allocated]
Helicopters New Zealand Doctoral Scholarship For Doctoral research in the 10/11 and 11/12 seasons Award of $20,000 per annum (total of $40,000) plus logistics support in Antarctica

The scholarship award is expected to contribute to research costs, travel (including travel to and from Christchurch from their home institution, and accommodation in Christchurch when in transit to and from Antarctica), fees and living expenses incurred during the scholarship period.

Antarctica New Zealand will bear the costs of the scholar’s transport between Antarctica and Christchurch, living costs at Scott Base or in the field, reasonable transport needs in Antarctica, field equipment supplied at Scott Base, clothing hire and e-mail communications.

The successful New Zealand Post and Kelly Tarlton's scholars will receive $5,000 after 1 July once they have signed a scholarship agreement, and $5,000 on receipt of a satisfactory final report at the end of the scholarship period.

The Doctoral scholar will receive $10,000 after 1 July once they have signed a scholarship agreement, $20,000 on receipt of a satisfactory interim report and the balance on receipt of a satisfactory final report at the end of the scholarship period.