Geospatial Research Institute PhD Scholarship 2026
About this scholarship
PhD scholarship at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, supporting one geospatial research project with stipend, fees, and possible research travel support.
The Geospatial Research Institute PhD Scholarship is offered by the Geospatial Research Institute Toi Hangarau at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. It supports one doctoral candidate to undertake full-time or part-time PhD research in geospatially focused areas such as geospatial analysis, GIS, remote sensing, GeoAI, spatial modelling, and related interdisciplinary fields.
Based on recent calls, the scholarship is tied to specific PhD project themes hosted at the University of Canterbury. These have included topics spanning glacier change, neighbourhood equity and the 3-30-300 rule, clean energy transition pathways, and the human exposome. The programme is designed for students with strong quantitative and spatial research interests and can connect to fields such as geography, environmental science, earth science, computer science, public health, statistics, and urban planning.
The award is fully funded for the selected PhD candidate. It includes an annual stipend, university tuition fees, and additional support for approved travel or research-related expenses. Funding is typically offered for up to three years of full-time study, with part-time support available on a pro-rata basis where permitted.
Applicants are generally expected to be prospective PhD candidates with a relevant academic background for the advertised project. Preferred preparation may include geospatial analysis, spatial data science, GIS, remote sensing, epidemiology, earth system science, energy systems, or related disciplines. Strong programming ability in R or Python and experience with GIS platforms such as QGIS or ArcGIS are commonly sought.
As this is a project-based doctoral scholarship, students should look for the annual call from the Geospatial Research Institute or University of Canterbury, review the current project options carefully, and follow the application instructions for that round. Shortlisted candidates may also need to meet the University of Canterbury's PhD admission requirements.
Eligibility
Who can apply for this scholarship
Applicants should be prospective PhD candidates with a relevant background suited to the advertised geospatial research project. Preferred areas mentioned in recent calls include earth system science, glaciology, health sciences, geography, epidemiology, geospatial analysis, GIS, remote sensing, spatial data science, energy systems, and related fields. Strong programming skills and geospatial methods experience are preferred.
Requirements
Documents typically needed to apply
Where you can use this
Open positions accepting Geospatial Research Institute PhD Scholarship.
