Call for Nominations: John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance (New Zealand)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance provides financial assistance to tertiary students under 23 in the Wellington region who have demonstrated outstanding courage and perseverance while facing adversity. The award supports students undertaking their first tertiary qualification and is intended to help those experiencing financial hardship and challenging personal circumstances continue their education.

About the John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance

The award was established in memory of John Burns, a Naval Officer who experienced many years of ill health before his death in 1967. His sister, Patricia Burns, established the award to honour his memory and encourage young people facing adversity to continue pursuing their educational goals. The award is administered by Public Trust, with recipients selected by an Advisory Committee made up of representatives from Public Trust and the Royal New Zealand Navy. What Is the Purpose of the Award? The John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance is intended to provide financial support to young people who have experienced significant adversity while pursuing their education. The award aims to help eligible students fund their post-secondary studies while recognising their perseverance and moral courage.

Adverse circumstances may include:

- Health challenges. - Disability. - Difficult family circumstances. - Other significant circumstances that require the applicant to demonstrate courage and perseverance. Applicants should be able to explain their circumstances and demonstrate how they have continued working toward their educational goals despite these challenges. How Much Funding Is Available? Grants start from $1,000 per year. The funding is intended to provide financial assistance to tertiary students who are experiencing financial hardship and need support with their studies. The award is specifically designed to assist eligible students undertaking their first tertiary qualification. Who Can Apply? Applicants must meet the age, study, residency, financial, and personal circumstances requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be under 23 years of age at the closing date. - Be studying full-time. - Be undertaking their first tertiary qualification. - Have demonstrated perseverance or moral courage in the face of adversity. - Be able to demonstrate financial hardship. - Have experienced adverse circumstances such as health challenges, disability, or difficult family circumstances. - Meet the specified Wellington-region residency requirement. Wellington Residency Requirement Applicants must have been permanently residing in one of the specified areas for the three years immediately preceding the application.

Eligible residency areas are:

- Wellington City. - Hutt City. - Kapiti District. - Porirua City. - Southern Wairarapa, within 60 kilometres of Wellington Central Railway Station. Applicants should be able to provide information supporting their residency history if required. Study Requirements The award is intended for students undertaking full-time post-secondary study. Applicants must be working toward their first tertiary qualification. The programme therefore focuses on supporting young people at an early stage of their tertiary education who are facing financial and personal barriers. Demonstrating Courage and Perseverance A central part of the award is the applicant’s ability to demonstrate courage or perseverance in response to adversity. Applicants should explain the circumstances they have experienced and how these circumstances have affected their lives or education. Examples of relevant adversity may include: - Significant health challenges. - Disability. - Difficult family circumstances. - Other adverse circumstances that have required perseverance or moral courage. The application should give the Advisory Committee enough information to understand the applicant’s circumstances and educational journey. Financial Hardship Requirement Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial hardship. The award is intended to provide financial assistance to students who need support while undertaking their tertiary studies. Applicants should therefore clearly explain their financial circumstances and how receiving the award would assist them with their education. Who Selects the Recipients? Recipients are selected by an Advisory Committee. The committee comprises representatives from: - Public Trust. - The Royal New Zealand Navy. Public Trust administers the award, while the Advisory Committee is responsible for selecting recipients. Required Application Documents Applicants must provide supporting documentation with their application.

The required materials include:

- A completed application form. - A certified copy of a birth certificate, passport, or citizenship certificate. - A copy of the applicant’s last school report or previous year’s results. - At least one written reference. - Any other supporting documentation that may assist the Advisory Committee. Applicants should ensure that required documents are complete and provided in the requested form. How to Prepare an Application Applicants should use their application to clearly explain both their educational plans and the circumstances that make them eligible for consideration. A complete application should demonstrate: - The applicant’s age and eligibility. - Their tertiary study status. - That they are undertaking their first tertiary qualification. - Their Wellington-region residency history. - Their financial hardship. - The adversity they have experienced. - Their courage or perseverance in dealing with those circumstances. - How the award would assist their education. Supporting documents should be included to substantiate the information provided in the application. Key Facts About the John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance

- Award: John Burns Award for Courage and Perseverance

- Minimum grant: $1,000 per year

- Target applic