AUOA funds a range of awards, grants, and scholarships to support academic excellence, student success, and global impact
John M. Stewart Scholarship
Funded through a generous bequest from the estate of Dr. John M Stewart, this scholarship supports undergraduate Health Sciences students who show academic aptitude, may be “first in family” attending university, and face financial challenges to complete their studies.
Details and application form
Sir Murray Brennan Fund
The Sir Murray Brennan Fund was established in 2017. This fund supports the University of Otago rowing club and medical school students who row for the University of Otago.
Details and application form
Undergraduate Scholarship Endowment
This scholarship was established to assist students in financial need and who may have difficulty accessing tertiary education because of cost.
AUOA Student Exchange Award
The AUOA Student Exchange Award provides financial assistance to current University of Otago students who apply for and have been selected to complete an exchange with 1 of the 18 Otago partner universities in the United States. The funding from this award helps multiple students each year broaden their global perspective and pursue their educational goals through an exchange to a US university.
Masters of International Studies (MIntSt)
The Masters of International Studies (MIntSt) is a one-year multidisciplinary coursework master’s program. It is a collaboration between the Department of Politics, the Department of Economics, and the National Center for Peace & Conflict Studies at the University of Otago. This scholarship provides partial funding for qualified students from the United States to enroll in the one-year Master’s program at the University of Otago.
AUOA Student Accommodation Grant
The AUOA Student Accommodation Grant supports undergraduate students with an annual accommodation grant for a student with a disability, so they can continue living in the supported environment of a residential college.
AUOA also continues to support one-off initiatives.
Recent examples include financial assistance for law students to attend the Jessup Moot Court competition in Washington D.C., a new rowing skiff, and geology field trips.
Advancing Research & University Initiatives
AUOA is committed to advancing world-class research and university initiatives. Your support helps fund a variety of projects, from preserving historical scientific collections to groundbreaking medical research.
Geology Department Digitization Project
The University of Otago’s Geology Museum holds more than 60,000 catalogued fossil vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant specimens, meticulously collected and stored over 150 years. AUOA is supporting a second phase of an initiative to organize and digitize these physical specimens to unlock global scientific research and collaborations for many years to come.
HDGC Research & Endowment Fund
The HDGC Research & Endowment Fund was established in 2017 with the generous support of Karen Chelcun. This fund will support sustained cancer research that is focused on the inherited cancer syndrome ‘Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer’.
MDMA for End-of-Life Palliative Care
With the support of a high-profile U.S. entrepreneur and investor, AUOA remitted a sizeable donation to support this world-leading study investigating the potential of a psychedelic therapy (MDMA) in terminally ill patients.
Needle-Free Vaccines
A generous one-time donation has allowed AUOA to support a research project exploring transdermal patches as a needle-free alternative to standard Influenza vaccinations. Potential advantages include increased public acceptance, easier administration, and the potential for vaccination in non-traditional locations.
Support the work of the Alumni of University of Otago in America
Your generosity empowers the next generation of Otago leaders and researchers. Gifts to AUOA fund scholarships, propel world-leading research, and strengthen our alumni community.
“ Thank you for your generous donation for funding the Oien Prize. Growing up I was discouraged to take STEM subjects because of the apparent ‘natural disadvantage’ females face. But spending time at Otago I’ve met so many amazing female scientists. They have shown me that this disadvantage is non-existent and have inspired me to aim higher, work harder and pursue what I truly love. ”
“ I am a third year student studying environmental management with a passion for protecting nature. I want to utilise my education to it’s potential and the gift of the AUOA Student Accommodation Grant is helping me achieve this goal. I am very grateful, and excited for the future. ”
“ Thank you for supporting this scholarship. I honestly would not be able to be doing everything that I currently am without its support. It has taken a huge burden off my shoulders and has allowed me to engage more in both study and rowing. ”
“ I wish to thank you very much for establishing and donating the prize money for this award. It is greatly appreciated. I returned to part-time study in 2018, 10 years after the completion of my first degree at Otago University. It means a lot to have my hard work and achievements thus far recognised in a tangible form like this. ”
“ Awarding me this scholarship has helped a lot, as I have two other younger sisters and my mom is the only breadwinner in the family. Without worrying about financial problems, I am able to focus on my education and put all energy into doing well in my lectures. Your generosity is allowing my dreams and goals come into reality. One day I will return this kindness and help a student achieve his/her dreams as well. ”
“ I am writing to thank you immensely for awarding me with this scholarship. This year will be my 7th year rowing and it has yet to cease providing me with opportunities and experiences like no other sport. This is my first year of Human Nutrition and so far I am loving it! ”
“ I am very honoured to be the recipient of the Oien Prize in Energy Management for 2020. I wish to thank Dr Ann Marie Oien for this generous prize and the AUOA for your assistance in facilitating the award. My Honours project is investigating how PV and battery inverters could be used to supply reactive power as opposed to installing capacitors in the electricity network. ”