Upskill and develop your career with a study award
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Last updated 13 April 2026
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 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 Principals’ Study Award are open.
Number of study awards available (includes teachers)
75 FTTE
Application period opening date
1 April 2026
Application period closing date
30 April 2026
Notification date
30 June 2026
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.
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.
