Submit Applications for Claude McCarthy Fellowship Program (New Zealand)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Claude McCarthy Fellowship supports doctoral students at New Zealand universities who are undertaking research in literature, science, or medicine. The fellowship provides financial assistance for short-term overseas travel to present research at international conferences and/or conduct original research. Awards normally do not exceed $5,000 and can contribute toward travel, reasonable accommodation, conference registration, and research-related expenses. Fellowships are generally awarded for up to three months and are intended to supplement other sources of funding.

About the Claude McCarthy Fellowship

The Claude McCarthy Fellowship was established to help doctoral candidates from New Zealand universities advance their research through international engagement. The fellowship supports short-term overseas activities that can contribute to a doctoral student’s research and academic development.

Supported activities may include:

- Presenting research at overseas conferences. - Conducting original research overseas. - Combining conference participation with research activities. The fellowship is intended to provide additional financial support rather than cover the full cost of an overseas research activity. Purpose of the Fellowship The fellowship aims to help New Zealand doctoral candidates gain international research experience and share their work with an overseas academic audience. Through support for international travel and research activities, the fellowship can contribute to doctoral research in literature, science, and medicine. Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed overseas activity relates to their doctoral research and how the fellowship funding will be used. How Much Funding Is Available? Awards will normally not exceed $5,000. The exact value of each fellowship is determined by the selection committee. The fellowship is intended to supplement other sources of financial support, rather than necessarily cover all costs associated with the proposed overseas activity. What Can the Fellowship Fund? The fellowship may be used as a contribution toward reasonable costs associated with eligible overseas research and conference activities.

Supported expenses may include:

- Travel costs. - Reasonable accommodation costs. - Conference registration fees. - Research-related expenses. Applicants should provide sufficient information about their proposed expenses and explain how the fellowship would contribute to the planned activity. What Activities Can the Fellowship Support? The fellowship supports short-term overseas activities connected with doctoral research.

Eligible activities include:

Presenting Research at Overseas Conferences Doctoral students may seek support to travel overseas to present their research at conferences. Conference participation can provide an opportunity for doctoral researchers to communicate their findings to an international academic audience. Conducting Original Research Funding can also support overseas travel for the purpose of conducting original research. Applicants should demonstrate the connection between the proposed research activity and their doctoral programme. Combined Research and Conference Activities A proposed overseas period may include both conference participation and original research activities where appropriate. Applicants should clearly describe the purpose and expected outcomes of the proposed travel. Eligible Research Fields The fellowship is available to doctoral research in three broad areas: - Literature. - Science. - Medicine. The selection committee determines whether an applicant’s research falls within the eligible research areas. Applicants should clearly identify their research field and explain its relationship to their doctoral research. Who Can Apply? Applicants must meet specific education, university registration, doctoral study, and research-field requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be graduates of a New Zealand university. - Be currently registered and enrolled for a doctoral degree at a New Zealand university. - Have been registered for their doctoral degree for at least one year by the application closing date. - Conduct research in literature, science, or medicine, as determined by the selection committee. New Zealand University Requirement Applicants must be currently registered and enrolled for their doctoral degree at a New Zealand university. In addition, applicants must have graduated from a New Zealand university. Both requirements form part of the fellowship’s eligibility conditions. Doctoral Registration Requirement Applicants must have been registered for their doctoral degree for at least one year by the application closing date. This requirement means that applicants should check their doctoral registration date before submitting an application. When Can the Fellowship Be Used? Fellowships are typically awarded for periods of up to three months. The fellowship must be used while the recipient is registered for their doctoral degree or within four months of thesis submission. Funding from each application round is restricted to the specific periods applicable to that round. Applicants should therefore ensure that their proposed overseas activity falls within the permitted funding period. Can the Fellowship Be Held With Other Awards? The fellowship may be held concurrently with other awards, subject to approval. Applicants who already have other sources of funding should disclose relevant support and ensure that concurrent funding is permitted. The Claude McCarthy Fellowship is specifically intended to supplement other sources of financial support. Previous Recipients Previous fellowship recipients may apply again. However, previous awards will be considered as part of the selection process. Applicants who have received the fellowship previously should therefore provide a clear explanation of their new proposed activity and its relevance to their doctoral research. Selectio