Secondary Teachers' Study Support Grants

The application form and guide are now available for download on the right hand side of this page.

What is a Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant?

A Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant is a time allowance available to a teacher, providing the opportunity to undertake study and/or research while continuing to teach. Teachers are awarded leave to:

• enhance the knowledge and skills that support their teaching practice, and support student learning outcomes
• participate in higher level professional learning and/or
• support the extension of a specialist teaching area

Examples of study include, but are not limited to:

• teachers starting post-graduate study in pedagogy or leading professional learning
• a Head of Department (or aspiring Head of Department) taking tertiary papers in mentoring skills, curriculum and assessment, or education management 
• teachers teaching out-of-field pursuing study in their out-of-field specialist subject areas

How many grants are available?

Each year there are 100 Study Support Grants available to teachers, in state or state-integrated schools, covered by the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement (STCA).

What does the grant provide?

A recipient of a Study Support Grant is entitled to a time allowance of 0.16 FTTE (equivalent to four hours per week) for the year awarded leave. The time allowance is provided to each recipient's school as an additional staffing entitlement to fund relief costs.

Recipients can also apply for a reimbursement of up to $500 toward their course fees, paid on successful completion of the course.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible for a Secondary Teachers’ Study Support Grant, you must be a:

• permanently appointed full or part-time teacher and
• a fully registered teacher

How do I apply for a Secondary Teachers' Study Support Grant?

If you wish to apply, download the application form and guidelines from this page and send your completed application form and study proposal to us postmarked no later than 29 June 2012.

Please post or courier your application to one of the following addresses:

Post: Study Awards, TeachNZ, Ministry of Education, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140
Courier: Study Awards, TeachNZ, Ministry of Education, 45-47 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wellington, 6011.

How are applications assessed?

Each application is assessed by a selection panel comprised of representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association, New Zealand School Trustees Association and the Ministry of Education.

Applications are ranked on the quality of the proposal provided by each applicant, and how well they address the selection criteria, selection factors (including current government goals), and priority areas outlined in the award guidelines.

How do I apply for the fees reimbursement upon successful completion of my Study Support Grant?

For more information, including the criteria and application form, click here.

Contact Us

If you have any questions please contact TeachNZ by calling 0800 165 225 or emailing teacher.studyawards@minedu.govt.nz.