David Brundell Master’s Scholarship

For domestic students enrolled in the Master of Horticulture intending to undertake research in either flower, fruit, vegetables, or crops for human consumption.

Scholarship overview

Status: Open

Key facts

Value: Up to $25,000 per annum
Duration: 1.5 years for full time students
Number available: Two awards
Type of study: Full-time, Part-time, Postgraduate, Masters

Application dates

Applications open: 15 October 2025
Closing date: 15 January 2026

Restrictions

Eligibility restrictions: New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Full time and Part time. Research in horticulture.

David Brundell completed a Bachelor of Horticulture at Massey in 1970 before going on to complete a Master of Horticulture (Subtropical Pomology and Agronomy) in 1974. His thesis topic focused on flower development of the kiwifruit. Following his graduation from Massey, David worked in a research role at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Levin and later in Pukekohe. David’s varied career saw him being a floricultural consultant for the Commonwealth Secretariat in Jammu and Kashmir as well as various other consulting roles in floriculture and in the development of geophytes.

Throughout his life David was an avid plant and crop collector, developer, producer, and trader. He had a lifelong interest in the commercial production of a wide variety of food, medicinal, and energy crops as well as in gardens and design, all within an ecologically sustainable context.

What you'll be studying

This is a postgraduate scholarship, you will be enrolled in the Master of Horticulture (coursework or research stage)

The value of the scholarship will be up to $25,000 per annum for full time students and prorated for part time students up to the value of $12,500 per year, should funds permit.

The tenure is 1.5 years for full time students, adjusted for part time students. Part time students are required to enrol in a minimum of 60 credits per year.

Eligibility criteria

Eligible applicants will be:

  • a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • enrolled in a master’s degree or intending to enrol in a master’s degree at Massey University in the year of the scholarship tenure

Applicants may apply at any stage of the Master of Horticulture degree (coursework or research).


Students undertaking or intending to undertake research in either flower, fruit, vegetables, or crops for human consumption, are eligible to apply.

Application checklist

Include the following with your application:

  • a brief research proposal outlining your intended research topic
  • a 200-word statement on your career aspirations

Selection considerations

When selecting our recipients we will consider your intended research and your career aspirations.