Chavasse Forestry Travel Award NZ | Forest and Wood Foundation

Chavasse Travel Award

A travel award supporting overseas learning and knowledge sharing that benefits forestry in New Zealand.

Dates

Applications open:
15th April 2026

Applications close:
5th June 2026 at 5:00pm

Outcome advised:
3 July 2026

Scholarship Value

One scholarship of $3,500.00

Awarded annually, subject to suitable applications.

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Application Information

Application Form

Eligibility

You can apply if you meet one of the following:

You are a mid career person, interested or employed in some aspect of forestry in New Zealand, and are seeking support to travel overseas to increase your experience and knowledge, and to contribute back to the New Zealand forestry sector.
You are applying to support an overseas person to travel to and within New Zealand to present on forestry topics to New Zealand audiences. In this case, the applicant for the funds must be employed in some aspect of forestry in New Zealand.

This award recognises forestry excellence and personal integrity, and aims to reward the clear dissemination and presentation of results.

What you need to do

Complete the online application form.
Upload your supporting documents (see below).
Submit by the closing date listed above.

What to include with your application

A summary of the travel purpose and how it will increase knowledge and experience.
Travel plan, including locations, timing, and key organisations or events.
How you will share outcomes with the forestry sector in New Zealand, for example presentation, article, webinar, or report.
A simple budget, including how the award funds will be used.
Any supporting information that strengthens the application.

How applications are assessed

Applications are considered against:

Relevance and benefit to the New Zealand forestry sector.
Evidence of forestry excellence and personal integrity.
Strength of the plan to disseminate results and present outcomes clearly.
Clarity, presentation, and communication of ideas, including budget and travel plan.

Terms of payment

The award is up to $3,50000.

Payment will be arranged with the successful applicant after selection.

Background information

When the NZIF Foundation was established by the New Zealand Institute of Forestry in December 2011, the Trustees agreed to take over the Chavasse Travel Award.

Geoff Chavasse came to New Zealand from England in 1950 to work for the New Zealand Forest Service. He spent time in Southland, the West Coast and Head Office, before transferring to the Forest Research Institute in Rotorua in 1968. He joined NZIF in 1951, served as Editor of the Journal from 1970 to 1974, served as a Councillor, and was President of the Institute from 1978 to 1980. In 1994 he received the Institute’s supreme award, the Kirk Horn Flask.