Upskill and develop your career with a study award
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Last updated 21 March 2025
A Primary Principals' 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 principals (and teachers) in state or state-integrated schools.
Application period opening soon
The application period for the 2026 Primary Principals’ Study Award will open in May 2025.
Key study award information
Primary Principals' Study Award 2026
Number of study awards available (includes teachers)
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.
Each year, 75 full-time teacher equivalent (FTTE) study awards are available to principals and teachers in state or state-integrated schools, who are covered by the or the Primary Principals' Collective Agreement (PPCA) or the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement (PTCA).
To apply for a Primary Principals’ Study Award, you must:
hold a current Tiwhikete Whakaakoranga Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate (Category One)
be a full-time or part-time principal 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 Principals’ Collective Agreement (PPCA) or applicable individual employment agreement (IEA). Teachers employed under the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement (PTCA) 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 provided the study entitlement is not taken up until the conclusion of the Kāhui Ako | Community Teacher role.
