Upskill and develop your teaching career with a study award
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Last updated 21 March 2025
A Primary Teachers' Study Award gives you paid leave to complete part-time or full-time study in an educational priority area.
It is a great opportunity to upskill and pursue an area of study you are interested in and passionate about. Each year, we offer 75 full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) study awards to teachers (and principals) in state or state-integrated schools.
Application period opening soon
The application period for the 2026 Primary Teachers’ Study Award will open in May 2025.
Key study award information
Primary Teachers' Study Award 2026
Number of awards available (includes principals)
75
Application period opening date
1 May 2025
Application period closing date
30 May 2025
Notification date
18 July 2025
complete a qualification
improve an existing qualification
study a new qualification in a new or different curriculum area
undertake research
undertake study that is relevant and adds value to education
undertake study into effective school management and leadership.
To apply for a Primary Teachers' Study Award, you must:
hold a current Tiwhikete Whakaakoranga Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate (Category One)
be a full-time or part-time teacher employed in a state or state-integrated New Zealand primary school
have the support of your principal and school board or employer
be employed under the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (PTCA) or applicable individual employment agreement (IEA). Principals employed under the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement (PPCA) are also eligible to apply
have at least 3 years’ experience as a fully certificated teacher in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools
have not received a TeachNZ study award or sabbatical in the last 5 years.
You cannot receive a study award at the same time as being appointed to a Kāhui Ako | Community Teacher (across community/schools) role. However, you may apply for an award if the study entitlement is not taken up until the conclusion of the Kāhui Ako | Community Teacher role.
