Bannan Science Award
Scholarship Value for 2026: $5,000
The purpose of the Bannan Science Award is to support the education of students, including adults, who live in or have family ties to the Central Plateau region.
The award supports study in Pure or Applied Science.
Criteria for applicants
- Applications are open for students (including adults) residing or having family links in the Rotorua, Murupara, Galatea, Minginui, Ruatahuna districts.
- Applicants must have completed their secondary school education or who are in their final year of secondary school
- Applicants must be studying a NZQA recognised science course or degree – Pure or Applied, including (but not limited to) medicine, veterinary, agriculture, forestry, engineering, astronomy, botany, chemistry, zoology, mathematics, physics and seismology.
- Study must be at a recognised University or Polytechnic located in New Zealand.
- Applicants must provide proof of course enrolment/acceptance and submit with your application.
- The term of the Award is limited to three academic years, with $5,000 available per year. The term may be extended to cover 4 years at the donor’s discretion. *
- The Award is available for the study of one course or degree only
- Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
*The term of each Award will be limited to three academic years. If an applicant wishes to enrol for a course that lasts longer, then that must be indicated on the initial application form and will be subject to approval from the Geyser Community Foundation and the Donor.
*Geographical Area
The geographic boundaries for this funding are the Rotorua and Taupō Districts, including Tūrangi and Mangakino and the immediate surrounding areas, and the area in the Whakatāne District south of Galatea, including Murupara, Minginui, Kaingaroa, Ruatāhuna, and Te Whaiti, and the immediate surrounding areas.
Reporting requirements
Scholarships will be paid in two payments. Successful applicants will receive 50% of the scholarship in April and the balance on receipt of satisfactory reporting.
Reports must include how the funds were spent and outline the impact it has made on your life, it must also include your latest academic results.
Reports must be received by the Geyser Community Foundation within six months of receiving the grant or otherwise stated, as a general guide:
- Report One – by 31 December the year Scholarship was awarded. This report is required to receive the second/final Scholarship payment.
- Report Two – 31 July the following year
Important Information
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- Funds must be used for the charitable purpose for which they were gifted.
- Successful applicants will be selected by Geyser Community Foundation. The decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Successful applicant/s will be required to be available for interviews and to participate in promotional activities agreed with the recipient/s. Information about the gifts and the way in which they have been spent may be used by the Geyser Community Foundation for promotional purposes.
- Successful applicant/s are encouraged to acknowledge the Geyser Community Foundation in their promotional activities and on social media. Geyser Facebook Page #geysergifts
- The gift may be revoked if the recipient’s behaviour is inappropriate or the recipient has breached conditions of the gift.
- It is expected that the recipient will use the gift within 12 months of receipt.
Important Dates
Applications Open: September 1 2026
Applications Close: Midnight 31 January 2027
Review and decision-making: February
Notification of Decision: March
Scholarship Payment: 20 April 2027 (first payment – 50% of scholarship value)
Accountability Reporting: By 31 December 2027
Before You Apply
Read the information above to ensure you meet the required criteria.
Please ensure you have the following information available before starting your application:
- Purpose of your application
- Proof or verification of your bank account details
- Proof of course enrolment/acceptance
- Required documentation as part of the application criteria
- Any additional supplementary information you would like considered as part of your application.
Applicants will be asked to upload supporting documentation as part of the application process.
To Apply
Applications now go through our new online grants portal, making it easier to save and manage your applications all in one place. You will need to create an account to submit an application, by registering with your email and create a password.
Please click on ‘Apply Now’ to login or create an account. (We recommend bookmarking this page in your browser)
To Create an Account
Once you click ‘Apply Now’ you will go to the Grant Portal Login page. Click ‘Not a member?’ at the bottom right and follow
the prompts.
Applications forms are under the ‘Funding Programs’ Tab – (2026 Tertiary Scholarship Funding)
Important You must answer every question to be able to save your application. If you do not
have all the information enter placeholder text e.g. 123 or ABC.
To access or view your application at any time
- log in to your grant portal account
- go to ‘My Applications’
- click on the application under ‘Funding Request Name’
- Continue with application or view application updates
For queries regarding your application please contact our Community Engagement Officer,
Leanne Rankin leanne@geysercf.org.nz