New Zealand’s Future Science Leaders Recognised
The North Island winners and nationwide winner of the annual FiRST Scholarship Awards will be announced at a special
event in Auckland on Thursday 3 July.
This event follows a successful South Island FiRST Scholarship Awards ceremony held in Christchurch last month.
The annual FiRST (Fellows in Research, Science and Technology) Scholarship Awards, showcase New Zealand’s top
up-and-coming scientists and celebrate excellence in the research, science and technology sector.
Open to recipients of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology five scholarship schemes, the awards have this
year attracted a record number of entries, with a 47% increase in scientists showcasing their work.
“The Awards are designed to focus the Foundation Scholars and Fellows on the importance of good communication and
realise the full potential of their research and development work. The skill of imparting scientific and technological
knowledge will be the key to developing New Zealand's future wealth and wellbeing and making our country a most
desirable place to live,“ says Gowan Pickering, Chief Executive of the Foundation.
The awards have grown this year to include a Health Research Council sponsored award for excellence in health research.
Next week’s event will also include an announcement of New Zealand’s first Science Writer Scholarship.
Jointly funded by the British Council in New Zealand and the Foundation, the Science Writer Scholarship will enable an
outstanding science journalist to attend the prestigious British Association’s Festival of Science in September, which
attracts 400 of the best scientists and science communicators in the world.