Want to experience teaching in a rural school while you train? Learn how a Go Rural grant can help you.
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Last updated 23 February 2026
What is Go Rural: Isolated Placements Fund?
Go Rural: Isolated Placements Fund (Go Rural) provides a $4,000 grant to student teachers on block placements in rural and isolated schools. A Go Rural grant will help reduce financial barriers and allow you to focus more on experiencing life as a teacher in a rural or isolated school.
Most student teachers taking up placements of 5 weeks or more in an eligible rural or isolated school can apply for a Go Rural grant. You must be completing your teaching qualification this year to apply.
There are 123 grants available per year. We will accept applications until all 123 grants are awarded. Your placement must be at an eligible Go Rural school.
have a verified placement in one of the 454 eligible Go Rural schools
have a confirmed placement length of 5 weeks or more
be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Further information:
You can receive only 1 Go Rural grant during your study.
You may also participate in or be awarded another Ministry of Education initiative or scholarship and hold a Go Rural grant. This includes TeachNZ scholarships or the School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP).
How to apply
Complete the application form. We will then contact your ITE provider to verify your placement details. For more information on filling out application form, see the application guide linked below and in the resources section of this webpage.
Once your ITE provider has verified your placement, you will need to complete a grant acceptance form which will be sent to you and where we will ask you to:
provide certified evidence of your bank account
provide certified evidence of your citizenship or permanent residency
agree to the terms and conditions of the Go Rural grant.
We will notify you of your grant outcome after we checked the information provided in the grant acceptance form.