Upskill and develop your teaching career with a study award
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Last updated 1 April 2026
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 open now
You must have ESL access to apply. Your ESL account must be linked to your current school with "TeachNZ Study Awards" role. Contact your school's ESL Delegated Authoriser or visit the Applications & Online Systems website for help.
Applications for the 2027 Primary Teachers’ Study Award are open.
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.
Contact us
If you have any questions, we're here to help.
See our Contact us page for more information on how to get in touch.
