News Item

Every year at about this time the Law Foundation reminds legal researchers to get their applications in for the latest round of New Zealand Law Foundation scholarships. Closing dates for most of our awards are coming up soon.

International Research Fellowship

New Zealand’s premier legal award, the International Research Fellowship (IRF), is one of the six legal scholarships presented annually to outstanding legal scholars. This award enables experienced legal experts to carry out major original research projects. Worth up to $125,000, it allows recipients to carry out extended research in New Zealand and overseas. IRF applications close on 1 September.

Further information

Cleary Memorial Prize

The Cleary Prize celebrates young lawyers who show the most promise of service to and through the profession. The $5,000 prize is open to recently-admitted barristers and/or solicitors. First awarded in 1964, the Cleary Prize honours Sir Timothy Cleary, former Law Society President and Court of Appeal Judge. It has had many distinguished former winners, including Justices Baragwanath, Tipping, and Wild. Nominations for the Cleary Memorial Prize close on 30 September.

Further information

NZLF Doctoral Scholarship

This scholarship has been re-launched in 2016 to encourage postgraduate study and research in law for the benefit of New Zealand. The scholarship provides an additional $10,000 each year for up to three years as a ‘top up’ to the award of an NZ University PhD Scholarship.
Applications are accepted twice a year with the next deadline being 31 August.

Further information

Ethel Benjamin Scholarship

This scholarship for women was established in 1997 to mark the centenary of the admission of Ethel Benjamin as the first woman barrister and solicitor in New Zealand, and has so far helped 36 young women lawyers achieve their postgraduate study goals. It is awarded for research that protects and promotes the public interest in New Zealand legal matters, and is valued at $50,000 for overseas university study or $20,000 for study at a New Zealand university. Applications close on 1 March.

Further information

Shadow Report Award

In 2011 the Foundation launched a new award to help human rights advocates research and report on New Zealand’s compliance with its international treaty obligations. The New Zealand Law Foundation Shadow Report Award is worth up to $10,000 each year to help non-government organisations prepare these reports.
Applications are open to individuals or any body or organisation active in human rights in New Zealand. Applications close on 1 August.

Further information

Distinguished Visiting Fellowship

Now in its 16th year, this award enables university law schools in turn to host an eminent international legal scholar for up to two months each year. Each Fellow delivers public lectures and seminars at the host university and all other law schools. Selection is by invitation from the law school hosting the Distinguished Visiting Fellow, in conjunction with the Law Foundation. The Fellowship is worth $40,000 annually. The 2016 Distinguished Visiting Fellow is Professor Graham Virgo, Professor of English Private Law, University of Cambridge, who is presently touring New Zealand law schools and delivering public lectures.

Our Scholarships web page has full details about all Law Foundation awards.

Feel free to email our Director Lynda Hagen if you would like to discuss your eligibility for any of our awards.

Link to July 2016 LawTalk column by NZLF Director Lynda Hagen about Law Foundation scholarships – NZLF International Research Fellowship winners from 2010, 2013 and 2014 are profiled.