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NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand Government Geothermal Energy Project Management Short Course Scholarship 2027

The New Zealand Government is offering a fully funded Geothermal Energy Project Management short course for eligible African professionals through the Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships (TSTTS) Programme.

The five-week residential programme is designed for mid-level and senior professionals with at least five years of relevant work experience in the geothermal energy sector, particularly those involved in geothermal energy development projects.

The course will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, and will provide participants with practical knowledge of geothermal energy project development and management. The programme incorporates real-world case studies, field trips and workplace visits and is designed to be relevant to the African context.

The programme will be managed and supported by the Geothermal Institute at the University of Auckland and led by Programme Director Dr John O’Sullivan.

Degree Level

This is a short-term professional training programme and does not constitute a formal tertiary qualification. Participants who complete the programme will receive a completion certificate from the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme.

Application Deadline

Sunday, 6 December 2026

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is intended for professionals in middle or senior management positions in the geothermal energy sector.

Applicants must meet the following programme-specific requirements:

  • Have at least five years of relevant work experience in the geothermal energy sector.
  • Be working on geothermal energy development projects.
  • Have basic computer literacy and numeracy skills.
  • Have intermediate-level English language proficiency.
  • Have their employer's endorsement to attend the training programme.
  • Meet the academic and English language entry requirements of the programme.

Applicants must also meet the following conditions:

  • Have lived in their country of citizenship for at least the two years immediately preceding the submission of their application. An exception applies to members of the diplomatic corps and their dependants who live outside their country of citizenship.
  • Be at least 18 years old when the scholarship begins.
  • Not be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, any European Union country, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
  • Not currently be serving in the military.
  • Not have had a New Zealand Scholarship terminated within the preceding five years.

Applicants must acknowledge and agree to the programme's employer endorsement and academic entry requirements.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants are expected to have:

  • An enhanced understanding of geothermal systems, resource assessment, exploration, drilling, development and power production, including geological, geochemical and geophysical concepts, data collection and reservoir modelling.
  • Improved knowledge of the social and environmental impacts of geothermal energy projects and approaches to managing these impacts.
  • An enhanced understanding of geothermal energy project planning and financing.
  • Improved knowledge of project management frameworks and principles, including their practical application to geothermal energy projects.
  • Strengthened decision-making and risk-management capabilities.

Course Modules

The programme covers the following six modules:

  1. Introduction to the Fundamentals of Geothermal Energy
  2. Geothermal Energy Resources and Their Development
  3. Project Management Fundamentals and Applied Project Management
  4. Feasibility Analysis and Business Case Development for Geothermal Energy Projects
  5. Planning and Financing Geothermal Energy Projects
  6. Social and Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Frameworks for Geothermal Energy Projects

What the Scholarship Offers

The scholarship covers:

  • Course fees.
  • Visa costs, excluding passport fees.
  • Accommodation.
  • Other programme-related expenses.

Please note: Applicants should carefully review the scholarship terms and conditions and confirm the full extent of the costs covered by the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme. Applicants should confirm directly with the programme administrators whether airfare and any other travel-related expenses are covered. Any costs or expenses not covered by the scholarship are the responsibility of the applicant. DHET will not provide additional financial support for any costs not covered by the scholarship.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the Manaaki Short Term Training Scholarships application form: https://vuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2lE7n5D971loNBY.

Programme Timeline

  • Applications open: Monday, 28 September 2026.
  • Applications close: Sunday, 6 December 2026.
  • Travel to New Zealand: Week commencing 19 April 2027.
  • Course begins: Monday, 26 April 2027.
  • Course ends: Monday, 24 May 2027.
  • Departure from New Zealand: Tuesday, 25 May 2027.

Contact

All enquiries should be directed to the Wellington Uni-Professional Scholarships team in the first instance.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Applicants should include the course name, Geothermal Energy Project Management, and their country in the email subject line.

Documents and Links

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.