Tarling Trust – NZASIA Grants

The Nicholas Tarling Charitable Trust and NZASIA are pleased to announce several grants to support field research in Southeast Asia, conference travel and thesis support for PhD students. There are two application periods for the grants:

a) first round of applications:

- for field research, conferences and thesis support between 1 July to 31 December 2026

b) second round of applications:

- for field research, conferences and thesis support between 1 January to 30 June 2027

We are now inviting applications for the first round covering the period: 1 July to 31 December 2026.

a) Field research in Southeast Asia. Applicants may apply for up to $5,000 for travel, accommodation, and local costs in Southeast Asia. Please submit a proposal (around 750 words), a brief research plan, c.v. and budget (including quotes). Field research must be completed by 31 December or by early January. PhD students are also invited to apply for this grant. Student applicants must include a letter of support from their primary supervisor and a summary of their PhD thesis proposal.

Eligibility: Staff, adjuncts, and PhD students based at any New Zealand tertiary institution. Email naimah.talib@canterbury.ac.nz for an application form.

Deadline: 14 August 2026, 5:00 pm

b) Conference Participation. Applications are invited for funding support for conference participation to cover expenses including airfare, accommodation and registration fees. Applicants may apply for up to $750 for conferences based in New Zealand; up to $2,000 for conferences based in Australia; and up to $3,000 for conferences based in Asia, the US and Europe. Applicants must provide evidence of acceptance of abstracts/papers and a budget (including quotes). Applications from PhD students must also include a letter of support from their primary supervisor and a summary of their PhD thesis proposal. Presentations must be on Southeast Asian topics, and preference will be given to Southeast Asian or Asian Studies conferences. Conference registrations must be completed by 1 October 2026 and conferences attended by 31 December 2026.

Eligibility: Staff, adjuncts, and PhD students based at any New Zealand tertiary institution. Email naimah.talib@canterbury.ac.nz for an application form.

Deadline: 14 August 2026, 5:00 pm

c) Copyediting support for PhD thesis. PhD students in the humanities and social sciences may apply for up to $1,500 to cover copyediting costs for their PhD theses. This grant is intended to support students using English as a second language. Those applying for this grant must provide a letter from their primary supervisor and an additional referee familiar with their work. The thesis should focus on Southeast Asia and must be submitted to the respective university postgraduate office for final examination by 31 December 2026.

Eligibility: PhD students based at any New Zealand tertiary institution. Email naimah.talib@canterbury.ac.nz for an application form.

Deadline: 14 August 2026, 5:00 pm

Eligibility

All applicants must be current residents of New Zealand or currently enrolled PhD students at a New Zealand tertiary institution. We are not able to accept applications from students who have temporarily suspended their studies or are not currently residing in New Zealand. Strong preference will be given to applicants who are current NZASIA full members or postgraduate student associate members. All grant recipients are expected to become full NZASIA or student associate members.

Application Process and Deadline

Applications are now open for the above grants until 14 August, 5:00 pm. All applications must be completed using forms available from naimah.talib@canterbury.ac.nz. Applicants must ensure that all information required for each grant is submitted together with the application. Successful applicants are expected to submit a brief report after completing the research.

Please direct any questions on the grant to naimah.talib@canterbury.ac.nz.