2026 Freemasons University Scholarships

Administered by The Freemasons Charity.

The Freemasons University Scholarships are provided annually, funded and administered by The Freemasons Charity. The Freemasons University Scholarships are to assist students who are actively involved in their community, to complete their tertiary education in their chosen field.

The Freemasons University Scholarships are available to students attending the following universities: Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln, and Otago.

Amount & Value of Scholarships for 2026:

• 8 Post Graduate Scholarships of $10,000 each;
• 20 Graduate Scholarships of $6,000 each (for students entering their final year of undergraduate study in 2026).

Successful scholars are expected to use their scholarship to defray expenses related to their attendance at University.

IMPORTANT: Graduate scholarship applicants must be completing the final year of their undergraduate degree in 2026.

e.g. A student who is in Year 13 in 2025, and starting university in 2026 is not eligible for this scholarship.

Applicants for the scholarships must:

1. 1. Have a good academic record; 
   2. Be a New Zealand citizen or hold permanent New Zealand residency;
   3. Be attending/ enrolled at one of the eight participating universities;
   4. If applying for a Graduate scholarship, must be completing the final year of their undergraduate degree in 2026;
   5. Demonstrate good citizenship;
   6. Show leadership potential;
   7. Have proven community commitment; and
   8. Complete this application in its entirety by the due date. 

The Scholarships will be awarded without regard to gender, ethnic background, creed or age. Family association with Freemasonry is NOT a requirement for the award of this scholarship. Freemasons have a tradition of caring for their community and will assist those who contribute back to the community.

A Selection Committee is appointed in each university district. The Committee will invite short-listed candidates for an interview in February/March 2026. If selected you must attend to progress with the application. The Committee will have regard not only to the academic ability of the candidates and to referees' reports, but also to their character and citizenship, and will look for evidence of involvement in the cultural and/or sporting life of the community or campus. 

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by mid April 2026.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend the Scholarship Presentation Event at Parliament in May 2026 (TBC). 

Scholarship awardees are expected to attend this event barring exceptional circumstances. Family are invited to attend and travel expenses assistance are available to students travelling from out of town.

Payment of scholarship amount will be made following the Scholarship Presentation Event, and should appear in the awardees bank account within one week post event.

Freemasons Scholarships are available to students who are enrolled at one of the eight participating universities:

• University of Auckland
• Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
• University of Waikato
• Massey University
• Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Canterbury
• Lincoln University
• University of Otago

The Committee will use the following information to assess your application: 

1. A certified copy of your university academic record.
2. A CV.
3. Statements outlining applicant's planned course of study and future plans.
4. An academic reference from a relevant referee.
5. A community involvement reference from a relevant referee. 
6. An essay of approx. 250 words describing your own community involvement. 

The information requested in this application may be used solely for the purposes of assessing your application and may be shared with relevant University Scholarships Offices for confirmation of your academic record and verification of eligibility.

If you are successful, the personal information and media provided in your application may be used by The Freemasons Charity and Freemasons New Zealand for promotional purposes. 

Personal information contained in this application will be made available to members of the Selection Committee. 

Should you have reason to believe that information held about you in either your application or your academic record is incorrect, you have the right of access to it, and to make corrections to that information. 

This application must be submitted by 1 October 2025, midnight end-of-day. No late applications will be accepted.