Resource Management Law Association : Masters Scholarship

The Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc (RMLA) may provide one or more annual Masters scholarships for study at any University under the conditions set out below. Scholarships may be awarded for study at a New Zealand or Overseas University.

Purpose

To encourage graduate students from a variety of disciplines such as law, planning, engineering, geography, science, landscape architecture, urban planning and resource management, to focus their research theses or dissertations on topics related to the application of resource management in New Zealand.

To promote the purposes of the RMLA, and to produce material for RMLA publications (see below).

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to any graduate student in a University (New Zealand or Overseas) registered for a Masters (including an undergraduate Honours degree involving advanced levels of research and study at Masters degree level). Doctoral studies are not eligible. Preference will be given to applicants with an established record of independent research by dissertation, directed study, or research paper at Honours or Masters level, who are recommended for the award by the supervisor of their previous research. Where relevant a written recommendation from the supervisor should be submitted with the scholarship application.

Applicants for the scholarship must:

(a) be a New Zealand citizen, or permanent resident; and
(b) have an excellent academic record (B+ or better).

Selection will be based on relevance of the proposed thesis or dissertation topic to advancing:

• the study of resource management (within the context of resource management legislation in New Zealand); and
• the objectives of the RMLA.

The objectives of the RMLA are to promote within New Zealand:

• An understanding of resource management law and its implementation in a multi-disciplinary framework;

• Excellence in resource management policy and process;

• Resource management processes which are legally sound, effective and efficient and which produce high quality environmental outcomes.

In cases where there is no suitable candidate, no scholarship will be given.

Value and Tenure

One or more Masters scholarships per annum may be awarded out of an annual fund of $15,000. There will generally be three $5,000 scholarships awarded a year.

Awards may be made subject to acceptance into restricted courses. Any scholarship will be tenable for one year only. Commencement may be delayed to coincide with an overseas University academic year. Tenure will be for a year in which thesis or dissertation work is the major academic activity.

The RMLA may choose to pay the scholarship to the recipient in instalments.

Co-Tenure

The Scholarship may be held concurrently with other bursaries, awards, or scholarships, provided that the rules of the other award permit this.

Reports

Scholarship holders shall make a report of progress of their programmes to the RMLA Scholarship Selection Committee as required and must make a final detailed report to that body on the conclusion of the award.

Holders must, as a condition of the award, contribute at least one relevant academic article to the Resource Management Journal or Resource Management Theory & Practice (to the satisfaction of the Editor or Editorial Committee of that Journal) during or at the conclusion of the award.

Selection

The scholarship will be awarded on the recommendation of the RMLA Scholarship Selection Committee. The RMLA Scholarship Selection Committee may require candidates to attend a personal interview as part of the selection process.

Applications

Applicants should apply for the scholarship by completing the application form. Applications must reach the RMLA by 1 September.  The Scholarship Application Form can be downloaded here.

Termination

The RMLA shall have the power to terminate any such scholarship at any time if it is not satisfied with the work or conduct of the scholarship recipient.

Publicity

Applicants shall agree to cooperate with any public announcement of the award of the scholarship by the RMLA, which may include photographs of and interviews with the scholarship recipients.

A successful applicant shall, as required for publicity purposes, supply to the RMLA a memorandum containing appropriate biographical details and a statement of the applicant's relevant future intentions.