Advice to Applicants Postgraduate Scholarship January 2015
NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND
Information on Applying for Postgraduate Scholarships
(W & B Miller Scholarship)
Objectives
The scholarships are intended to provide personal support for graduate students whose proposed programme
of research for a higher degree, usually a PhD, is in the field of neuroscience. In exceptional circumstances, a
student enrolled for a Masters degree may apply if it has been declared preliminary to a doctorate. The
scholarships are intended for graduate researchers contemplating a career in the neurosciences.
Mental health Research. The Neurological Foundation will accept applications designed to further the
knowledge and treatment of primary neuropsychiatric or neuropsychological disorders, as long as the
research takes a mechanistic approach to discovering or treating a component of the disorder that might be
due to an underlying neurological problem. Applications which deal only with the clinical management of
mental health disorders will not be considered.
Qualifications
To apply for this scholarship, graduate students should be eligible to be enrolled full-time in an approved
course of research training leading to a higher degree in a New Zealand University. Applicants should be
New Zealand citizens or non-New Zealand citizens with New Zealand residency at the time of application.
Application may be made in advance of enrolment, provided the Foundation is notified and on the
understanding that an award would be conditional on the satisfactory completion of arrangements with the
University concerned.
Application
The application must be made by the student together with his supervisor through the head of the Department
where the student is to work. Forms available from the Foundation set out the information needed. Electronic
application forms (in MS Word) can be obtained from the Secretary of the Foundation or from University
Web sites. A confidential report from the supervisor and one other person familiar with the applicant's
academic record will be required. Interviews will be arranged with the student, the proposed supervisor, and
representatives of the Scientific Advisory Committee.
Candidates who already have a full PhD stipend are not eligible to apply.
Conditions of Tenure
The scholarships are tenable within departments of universities in New Zealand but, in exceptional
circumstance, it is possible that part of the project could be carried out at an outside institution. The
suitability of the proposed department and research supervisor is taken into consideration by the Foundation
when applications are reviewed. A scholar may not hold other regular paid employment without the express
permission of the Foundation. Normally this permission will be given in respect of teaching duties, not
exceeding six hours per week, which have the approval of the research supervisor. Other forms of award
(scholarships, bursaries, etc.) may be held in conjunction with a Postgraduate Scholarship only if the
permission of the Foundation has been obtained. The Foundation will use its discretion in determining
conditions for co-tenure with other awards and may decide to reduce the value of the Postgraduate
Scholarship in such cases.
Reporting
All scholars are required to submit an annual report to the Foundation on the anniversary of their
commencement date. They are also required to submit a final report within one month of submitting their
thesis. Additional scientific reports may be required by the Foundation from time to time and must be
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Advice to Applicants Postgraduate Scholarship January 2015
submitted on request. The Foundation may also arrange for an advisor to visit the scholar in his/her research
setting to make a special report.
Duration of Tenure
The scholarship is awarded in the first place for two and a half years. The Foundation may grant an extension
of this term up to the equivalent of six months full-time study in the case of scholars whose research
programme cannot be completed in a shorter time. Applications for an extension will require the support of
the supervisor and should, if possible, meet the 1st of April and 1st of September closing dates for project
applications. In no case will the duration of a Postgraduate Scholarship exceed the equivalent of three years'
full time study.
Publications
Any scholar who publishes the results of work performed during the tenure of a Postgraduate Scholarship is
required to acknowledge the assistance he/she has received by stating, "the research was conducted during
the tenure of a Postgraduate Scholarship of the New Zealand Neurological Foundation". Such publications
must have the approval of the supervisor.
Suspension
The Foundation may, in its discretion for what is considered grave cause, suspend the tenure of a
Postgraduate Scholarship for such time as is thought fit, or deprive a scholar of his/her scholarship. From that
date the emoluments or other payments due shall cease.
Value
The value of scholarships will be determined from time to time by the Foundation but will usually be similar
to an HRC Scholarship. As of December 2007, the stipend is $28,000 per annum plus University fees.
Special Allowances
The Foundation expects that costs of the research undertaken by Postgraduate Scholars will be borne by the
host institution.
Completion of Applications
The closing date for applications is October 1st each year. An original containing signatures and 15 double
sided copies are required. In addition, please submit an electronic copy of the form to
research@neurological.org.nz. Details of subjects studied and grades obtained to date should be attached
to the application form. Postgraduate Scholarships are personal awards and emphasis will be placed on the
candidate and their potential to develop during the period of the scholarship. The research project itself is
clearly important and sufficient detail needs to be provided to demonstrate the intrinsic value of the project
per se. The format for this part of the proposal is stated on the application form and should include a
description of the applicant's research interests, reasons for the particular supervisor or Department and a
structured outline of the proposed project.
Electronic application forms (MS Word) can be obtained from the Scientific Secretary or from the
Foundation web site www.neurological.org.nz
Dr Douglas Ormrod
Scientific Secretary
Neurological Foundation of NZ
PO Box 110022
(66 Grafton Road – for courier)
Auckland 1148
Phone (09) 309-7749
E-mail: douglas.ormrod@neurological.org.nz.
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Advice to Applicants Postgraduate Scholarship January 2015
APPENDIX: FIELDS OF RESEARCH – NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND
Addiction: alcohol
Addiction: other
Addiction: tobacco
Affective disorders
Ageing
AIDS: behaviour
AIDS: clinical
Alcohol/drug dependence
Alcohol: clinical
Alzheimer's disease
Anaesthesia and pain
management
Anatomy and histology
Anatomy: general
Anatomy: histochemical
Anatomy: ultrastructure
Autonomic nervous system
Behavioural science
Biochemistry
Biological rhythyms: sleep
Biology: membrane
Biology: molecular
Biostatistics
Brain stem
Cancer: chemotherapy
Cancer: clinical trials
Cancer: epidemiology
Cardiovascular: regulation
Child health
Clinical trials
Community care
Community health
Community health: risk
reduction
Community health: screening
Computer modelling
Computing
Congenital abnormalities
Dentistry
Depression
Dermatology
Diet
Disability
Down's syndrome
Drug design/development
Drug interactions
Drugs
Drugs of abuse
Drugs of dependence
Drugs: mode of action
Ear disease
Endocrinology:
neuroendocrinology
Endocrinology: pituitary
Environmental health
Environmental toxicology
Epidemiology
Epilepsy
Ethics
Genetic diseases
Genetics: gene expression
Genetics: gene mapping
Genetics: gene targeting
Genetics: gene therapy
Genetics: general
Handicapped persons
Health care evaluation
Health economics
Health planning
Health policy
Health services research
Health: education
Health: promotion
Health: protection
Hearing
Huntington's Chorea
Hyperactivity
Imaging
Immunochemistry
Immunogenetics
Immunology: autoimmunity
Immunology: basic
Immunology: cellular
Immunology: clinical
Immunology: cytokines and
growth factors
Immunology: general
Immunology: inflammatory
processes
Immunology: molecular
biology
Immunology: therapy
Immunopathology
Immunotoxins
Infectious diseases
Inflammation
Injury: prevention
Injury: unintentional
Intensive care
Kinesiology
Language
Learning
Maori health
Mathematical modelling
Medical physics
Medicine: general
Memory
Mental health: illness
Mental health: services
Mental health: wellbeing
Metabolic disease
Microbiology
Mol & cell biology
Mol & cell biology: apoptosis
Mol & cell biology: cell
activation
Mol & cell biology: cell
adhesion
Mol & cell biology: cell cycle
Mol & cell biology: cell
3
proliferation
Mol & cell biology:
developmental
Mol & cell biology:
differentiation
Mol & cell biology: hormones &
growth factors
Mol & cell biology: membranes
Mol & cell biology: mitosis
Mol & cell biology: necrosis
Mol & cell biology: receptors
Mol & cell biology: signal
transduction
Mol & cell biology: tumour
Morphology
Movement
Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Neural plasticity
Neuroanatomy
Neurobiology
Neurochemistry
Neurology
Neurology: autonomic
Neurology: central
Neurology: general
Neurology: peripheral
Neuromuscular disease
Neuropathology
Neuropeptides
Neuropharmacology
Neurophysiology: basic
Neurophysiology: clinical
Neuropsychology
Neuroscience
Neurosurgery
Neurotoxicity
Neurotransmitters/neuromodul
ators
NMR: radiology
Nursing: clinical
Nursing: community
Occupational health
Occupational health: injury
prevention
Occupational health: risk
reduction
Occupational health: screening
Oncology and carcinogenesis
Ophthalmology
Optometry
Pacific Islander's health
Paediatrics
Paediatrics: adolescent
Paediatrics: behavioural
Paediatrics: development
Paediatrics: general
Pain
Parasitology
Parkinson's disease
Pathology
Pathology: anatomic
Pathology: experimental
Pathology: general
Pathology: histochemistry and
cytology
Pathology: histopathology and
EM
Pathology: immunopathology
Pathology: molecular
Pathology: neuropathology
Pharmacology
Pharmacology: autonomic
Pharmacology: clinical
Pharmacology: experimental
Pharmacology: general
Pharmacology: molecular
Pharmacology: receptors
Pharmacology: toxicology
Physical education
Physiology
Physiology: auditory
Physiology: brain
Physiology: cardiovascular
Physiology: cellular/molecular
Physiology: corneal
Physiology: developmental
Physiology: ear
Physiology: general
Physiology: ion
exchange/transport
Physiology: muscle
Advice to Applicants Postgraduate Scholarship January 2015
Physiology: sensory
Psychopathology
Physiology: smooth muscle
Psychopharmacology
Physiotherapy
Psychotherapy
Poisons and chemicals
Public health
Prescribing
Quality of life
Preventive medicine
Rehabilitation medicine
Primary health care
Reproduction
Psychiatry
Schizophrenia
Psychiatry: adolescent
Serotonin
Psychiatry: adult
Sexuality
Psychiatry: autism
Sleep
Psychiatry: child
Social work
Psychiatry: epidemiology
Speech
Psychiatry: forensic
Spina Bifida
Psychiatry: general
Spinal cord
Psychiatry: liaison
Sports medicine
Psychiatry: psychosomatic
Sudden Infant Death
Psychiatry: psychosomatics
Syndrome
Psychiatry: psychotherapy
Suicide
Psychiatry: social
Surgery
Psychology: adolescent
Surgery: clinical
Psychology: adult
Surgery: experimental
Psychology: basic
Survey methodology
Psychology: behaviour
Tissue culture: embryonic
analysis
stem cells
Psychology: child
Tissue culture: mammalian
Psychology: clinical
cells
Psychology: community
Tissue culture: organs
Psychology: development
Toxicology
Psychology: forensic
Trauma
Psychology: psychometrics
Vision
Psychology: social
Weight disorders
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