University of Auckland John Chen Scholarship 2026 Closes Today; Up to NZ$10,000 Each for Chemical and Materials Engineering Students
University of Auckland Scholarship Deadline 2026: Applications for the Emeritus Professor John Chen Scholarship in Chemical and Materials Engineering close today, 24 September 2026, giving eligible first-year engineering students at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland a final opportunity to apply for financial support toward their Chemical and Materials Engineering studies.
The University can award up to three scholarships annually, with each scholarship worth up to NZ$10,000 for a period of up to one year.
The scholarship is specifically designed for New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who are currently enrolled in Part I of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), or an eligible BE(Hons) conjoint degree, at the University of Auckland and intend to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering in their Part II studies in the following year.
Applicants must also meet the scholarship's academic threshold. The regulations require a Semester One GPA of at least 6.00, with a threshold of 5.50 for Māori or Pacific candidates.
Academic performance is not the only consideration. Selection also considers leadership and communication skills, community contribution and engagement, and participation in co-curricular activities, which are assessed through the applicant's personal statement.
Official University of Auckland Scholarship Page:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/emeritus-prof-john-chen-scholarship-in-chemical-and-materials-engineering-1196-eng.html
Emeritus Professor John Chen Scholarship 2026: Key Details
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Emeritus Professor John Chen Scholarship in Chemical and Materials Engineering |
| University | Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland |
| Application Status | Open – closes 24 September 2026 |
| Opening Date | 13 August 2026 |
| Closing Date | 24 September 2026 |
| Number Available | Up to three |
| Value | Up to NZ$10,000 each |
| Tenure | Up to one year |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Target Study | Part II BE(Hons) in Chemical and Materials Engineering |
| Citizenship | New Zealand citizen or permanent resident |
| Current Study | Part I BE(Hons) or BE(Hons) conjoint degree |
| Standard GPA Requirement | 6.00 in Semester One studies |
| Māori or Pacific GPA Requirement | 5.50 in Semester One studies |
What Is the University of Auckland Scholarship Closing Today?
The scholarship closing on 24 September is the Emeritus Professor John Chen Scholarship in Chemical and Materials Engineering.
It provides financial assistance to undergraduate engineering students who intend to progress into the Chemical and Materials Engineering specialisation.
The award should not be confused with a general University of Auckland engineering scholarship available across all engineering disciplines.
What Time Does the John Chen Scholarship Close?
The University's scholarship application guidance states that all sections of an online scholarship application must be completed by the closing date and that applications close at midnight on the specified date unless otherwise stated.
The John Chen Scholarship page lists 24 September 2026 as the closing date without stating a different closing time.
Applicants should nevertheless avoid waiting until immediately before the deadline, particularly if their application requires additional information, references or supporting sections.
How Much Is the Emeritus Professor John Chen Scholarship?
Each scholarship is worth up to NZ$10,000.
The University can award as many as three scholarships in an annual round.
This means the scheme can potentially provide substantial financial assistance to multiple Chemical and Materials Engineering students each year.
How Many John Chen Scholarships Are Available?
The regulations provide for up to three scholarships annually.
However, “up to three” does not mean the University is required to make exactly three awards every year.
The University of Auckland Council is not obliged to make an award if it determines that no candidate satisfies the criteria or reaches the required standard of merit.
Who Can Apply for the John Chen Scholarship?
Eligibility is tightly defined.
An applicant must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be currently enrolled in Part I of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at the University of Auckland, or an eligible BE(Hons) conjoint degree.
- Intend to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering in Part II in the following year.
- Meet the applicable Semester One GPA threshold.
- Complete the scholarship application by the closing date.
Can International Students Apply?
No, not under the published eligibility rules.
The scholarship regulations specify that applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
An international student studying engineering at the University of Auckland should therefore search the University's scholarship database for awards that specifically accept international applicants.
Can New Zealand Permanent Residents Apply?
Yes.
New Zealand permanent residents are explicitly included in the eligibility criteria alongside New Zealand citizens.
The scholarship regulations define permanent residents in relation to Permanent Resident Visa status granted by Immigration New Zealand.
Is the Scholarship for Current School Students?
No.
This is not an entry-level scholarship for secondary-school students planning to start engineering at the University of Auckland.
Applicants must already be enrolled in Part I of the BE(Hons) or a BE(Hons) conjoint degree at the University.
Is the Scholarship for First-Year Engineering Students?
Yes, provided they meet the formal requirements.
The scholarship targets students currently completing Part I and intending to enter Chemical and Materials Engineering for Part II in the following academic year.
This makes the award particularly relevant to students approaching the point at which they move from the common first-year engineering structure into a specific engineering specialisation.
Do Applicants Need to Choose Chemical and Materials Engineering?
Yes.
The scholarship's central purpose is to encourage and support undergraduate students to study Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Applicants must intend to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering in Part II.
A student intending to enter another engineering specialisation would not meet this central requirement.
Can Civil Engineering Students Apply?
A student planning to specialise in Civil Engineering rather than Chemical and Materials Engineering would not meet the scholarship's stated specialisation requirement.
The award is specifically linked to Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Can Mechanical Engineering Students Apply?
Not if they intend to continue into Mechanical Engineering.
The scholarship requires an intention to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering in the following year.
Can Software Engineering Students Apply?
The same restriction applies. The scholarship is not a general BE(Hons) award across all specialisations.
A Part I student must intend to enter Chemical and Materials Engineering to satisfy the published requirement.
What GPA Is Required?
Most applicants need a Semester One GPA of at least 6.00 for scholarship consideration.
For Māori or Pacific candidates, the required Semester One GPA is 5.50.
| Applicant Group | Required Semester One GPA |
|---|---|
| Standard eligibility threshold | 6.00 |
| Māori candidates | 5.50 |
| Pacific candidates | 5.50 |
Does a GPA of 6.00 Guarantee the Scholarship?
No.
The GPA is a minimum threshold for consideration, not an automatic selection score.
The scholarship is competitive, and the selection process considers additional qualities beyond grades.
How Is the Scholarship Winner Selected?
Selection is based on several factors.
The regulations identify:
- Academic merit based on Semester One GPA
- Leadership skills
- Communication skills
- Community contribution
- Community engagement
- Participation in co-curricular activities
- Information provided through the personal statement
This means applicants should not treat the personal statement as an insignificant formality.
Why Is the Personal Statement Important?
The personal statement gives the selection committee information that cannot necessarily be captured by GPA alone.
It can help demonstrate how an applicant has contributed beyond academic coursework and how their experiences reflect the qualities named in the scholarship regulations.
Students should focus on accurate, specific examples rather than generic claims.
What Should Applicants Discuss in the Personal Statement?
Applicants should follow the actual application prompts, but relevant experiences may include:
- Engineering clubs or societies
- Student leadership
- Community volunteering
- Peer mentoring
- Team projects
- Technical competitions
- Community engagement
- Science or engineering outreach
- Communication responsibilities
- Co-curricular activities
Applicants should describe genuine activities rather than trying to manufacture achievements solely for the scholarship.
Who Selects the Scholarship Recipients?
The scholarship regulations establish a Selection Committee that includes:
- The Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Engineering and Design, or nominee
- The Head of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, or nominee
- A representative of the donors
The scholarship is formally awarded by the University of Auckland Council on the recommendation of the Selection Committee.
Who Is Emeritus Professor John Chen?
Emeritus Professor John Chen is an alumnus of the University of Auckland's Faculty of Engineering.
He taught in the Faculty for more than 35 years and served as Head of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering from 1996 to 2003.
The scholarship was established in 2024 and is funded by Emeritus Professor John Chen and the Chen family.
Why Was the Scholarship Established?
The principal purpose of the scholarship is to encourage and assist undergraduate students to study Chemical and Materials Engineering.
It therefore combines financial assistance with an objective directly linked to supporting the University's Chemical and Materials Engineering pathway.
What Is Chemical and Materials Engineering?
Chemical and Materials Engineering combines engineering principles with the study and transformation of materials and processes.
Students in the field can engage with areas connected to process engineering, energy, sustainability, manufacturing, materials, food processing, biotechnology and other industrial systems.
The exact University of Auckland curriculum should be checked through the University's current programme information.
How Is the NZ$10,000 Scholarship Paid?
The scholarship is paid in two equal instalments during Semester One and Semester Two.
Payment is made after the University confirms the recipient's required enrolment.
This means the entire award is not necessarily paid as a single lump sum at the beginning of the year.
What Enrolment Is Required to Receive Payment?
Recipients must be enrolled full-time in a BE(Hons) in Chemical and Materials Engineering.
For students undertaking a conjoint degree, the regulations require enrolment in at least 60 points of Chemical and Materials Engineering courses across Semester One and Semester Two to receive scholarship payments.
What GPA Must Recipients Maintain?
Receiving the scholarship does not remove all subsequent academic conditions.
To receive the Semester Two instalment, recipients must achieve a GPA of at least 5.50 in their Semester One courses.
This continuing requirement is separate from the GPA used to qualify for initial scholarship consideration.
Can the Second Scholarship Payment Be Lost?
Potentially, yes.
The regulations require recipients to achieve at least a 5.50 GPA in Semester One courses to receive the Semester Two instalment.
Awardees should therefore understand that continued payment depends on satisfying the scholarship's ongoing academic conditions.
Can the John Chen Scholarship Be Held With Another Scholarship?
Yes, potentially.
The regulations allow the John Chen Scholarship to be held alongside another scholarship, award or grant provided the rules of the other funding also permit it and the University of Auckland Council is informed and approves the arrangement.
Recipients are responsible for declaring other scholarship, award or grant funding received while the John Chen Scholarship is in payment.
Can the Scholarship Be Terminated?
Yes.
The University of Auckland Council, in consultation with the donor, can terminate or suspend the scholarship if it receives a report of unsatisfactory progress from the Head of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Recipients must therefore continue meeting the conditions attached to the award.
Can the University Ask for Scholarship Money to Be Repaid?
The regulations require recipients to comply with scholarship conditions and notify the Scholarships Office of changes in enrolment or funding status.
If the University establishes that a recipient has breached the regulations, it can terminate the scholarship and require repayment of funds received from the date of the breach.
What Can the Scholarship Money Be Used For?
The regulations state that payments remain tax-free under current legislation when used for costs associated with the recipient's programme of study and/or living costs while studying.
The University notes that it cannot guarantee the tax treatment because tax outcomes depend on current legislation.
How to Apply for the John Chen Scholarship
- Open the official University of Auckland scholarship page.
- Read the full scholarship regulations.
- Confirm New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence eligibility.
- Confirm current Part I BE(Hons) or conjoint enrolment.
- Confirm your intention to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering.
- Check your Semester One GPA.
- Select the official “Apply now” option.
- Complete the online scholarship application.
- Complete the personal statement carefully.
- Complete any additional requested sections.
- Arrange any reference or endorsement if the application requires one.
- Review the complete application.
- Submit all sections by the 24 September closing date.
Does the Scholarship Require a Reference?
The University recommends opening scholarship application forms early because some awards can require a reference or endorsement.
Applicants should rely on the live application form to determine exactly what supporting sections are required for their application.
Any requested reference or endorsement must be completed by the closing date.
When Will Applicants Receive the Scholarship Result?
The University states that scholarship outcomes are usually notified around eight weeks after the closing date.
This is a general expected notification timeframe rather than a guarantee of a specific result date.
Applicants should monitor their University communications after submitting.
What If the Scholarship Application Has a Technical Error?
The University recommends clearing the internet browser cache as a first troubleshooting step.
If the issue remains unresolved, applicants are advised to provide the Student Support Team with a screenshot showing the error and relevant details.
For a scholarship closing within three days, the University asks students to mark their enquiry as urgent.
Should Students Open Multiple Scholarship Applications in One Browser?
The University recommends that students do not keep two different scholarship applications open within the same browser.
This is a useful technical precaution for applicants applying for several awards during the same scholarship period.
What If an Applicant Misses the 24 September Deadline?
The scholarship is offered annually, but eligibility is linked to a specific stage of the BE(Hons) programme.
A student who misses the deadline should not assume they can simply apply the following year because they may no longer be in the required Part I stage.
Students facing a genuine technical problem near the deadline should contact the University's Student Support Team promptly.
John Chen Scholarship Application Checklist
| Requirement | Check |
|---|---|
| NZ citizen or permanent resident | Required |
| Currently in Part I BE(Hons)/eligible conjoint | Required |
| Planning Chemical and Materials Engineering in Part II | Required |
| Semester One GPA | 6.00 normally; 5.50 for Māori/Pacific candidates |
| Personal statement | Important for selection |
| Leadership/communication evidence | Considered |
| Community contribution | Considered |
| Co-curricular participation | Considered |
| Closing date | 24 September 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What scholarship closes at the University of Auckland on 24 September?
The Emeritus Professor John Chen Scholarship in Chemical and Materials Engineering is among the University scholarships closing on 24 September 2026.
How much is the John Chen Scholarship?
Each scholarship is worth up to NZ$10,000.
How many scholarships are available?
Up to three scholarships can be awarded annually.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in Part I of a BE(Hons) or eligible BE(Hons) conjoint degree at the University of Auckland and intending to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering in Part II.
Can international students apply?
No. The regulations require New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence.
Can permanent residents apply?
Yes, New Zealand permanent residents are eligible subject to the other requirements.
Can school students apply?
No. Applicants must already be enrolled in Part I Engineering at the University of Auckland.
Is the scholarship available for all engineering specialisations?
No. It specifically supports students intending to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering.
What GPA is required?
The standard Semester One GPA threshold is 6.00. Māori and Pacific candidates have a 5.50 threshold.
Does a GPA of 6 guarantee selection?
No. Selection also considers leadership, communication, community contribution, engagement and co-curricular participation.
What is the scholarship closing date?
Applications close on 24 September 2026.
What time does the scholarship close?
The University's application guidance says scholarship applications close at midnight on the specified closing date unless otherwise stated.
When did applications open?
The 2026 application opening date was 13 August.
How long is the scholarship?
The tenure is up to one year.
Is the scholarship offered every year?
Yes, its listed offer rate is annual.
Who established the scholarship?
It was established in 2024 and is funded by Emeritus Professor John Chen and the Chen family.
Who is Professor John Chen?
He is a University of Auckland Engineering alumnus who taught in the Faculty for more than 35 years and served as Head of Chemical and Materials Engineering from 1996 to 2003.
How is the NZ$10,000 paid?
The scholarship is paid in two equal instalments across Semester One and Semester Two after the required enrolment is confirmed.
Do recipients need to maintain a GPA?
Yes. A recipient must achieve at least a 5.50 GPA in Semester One courses to receive the Semester Two instalment.
Can conjoint students receive the scholarship?
Yes, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. To receive payment, conjoint recipients must enrol in at least 60 points of Chemical and Materials Engineering courses across Semesters One and Two.
Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
Potentially yes, provided the other award permits it and the University of Auckland Council is informed and approves the arrangement.
Do I have to disclose other scholarships?
Yes. Recipients are responsible for declaring other scholarship, award or grant funding received while this scholarship is in payment.
Can the scholarship be suspended?
Yes. The regulations allow suspension or termination in circumstances including unsatisfactory progress.
Can the University require repayment?
Yes, if a recipient is found not to be complying with the scholarship regulations, the University can terminate the award and require repayment from the date of the breach.
Is academic performance the only selection factor?
No. Leadership, communication, community contribution, engagement and co-curricular participation are also considered.
Is a personal statement important?
Yes. The regulations state that non-academic selection factors are assessed through a personal statement.
Who chooses the recipients?
A Selection Committee assesses applications, and the University of Auckland Council awards the scholarship on the committee's recommendation.
When will results be announced?
The University says scholarship outcomes are usually notified around eight weeks after the closing date.
Can the University decide not to award all three scholarships?
Yes. The regulations state that the University is not obliged to make an award if no candidate meets the criteria or sufficient standard of merit.
What should I do if the application portal has an error?
The University recommends clearing the browser cache first. If the issue persists, contact the Student Support Team with a screenshot and details of the problem.
Where can I apply?
Applications are made through the official University of Auckland scholarship page and its “Apply now” application system.
What Eligible Students Should Do Today
Students intending to apply should first confirm that they satisfy every core requirement rather than focusing only on the NZ$10,000 award value.
- Confirm New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence.
- Confirm current Part I BE(Hons) or BE(Hons) conjoint enrolment.
- Confirm your intention to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering.
- Check your Semester One GPA against the applicable threshold.
- Open the official scholarship application.
- Read the full regulations.
- Complete all application sections.
- Give specific evidence of leadership and communication skills where requested.
- Include genuine community and co-curricular involvement in the personal statement.
- Complete any required reference or endorsement.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit before the application closes on 24 September.
Conclusion
The Emeritus Professor John Chen Scholarship in Chemical and Materials Engineering closes on 24 September 2026 at the University of Auckland, creating a significant funding opportunity for eligible first-year engineering students preparing to enter Chemical and Materials Engineering in Part II.
Up to three scholarships worth as much as NZ$10,000 each can be awarded for a period of up to one year.
Eligibility is specific: applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, must currently be enrolled in Part I of a BE(Hons) or eligible BE(Hons) conjoint degree at the University of Auckland, and must intend to specialise in Chemical and Materials Engineering in the following year.
The normal Semester One GPA threshold is 6.00, reduced to 5.50 for Māori and Pacific candidates. Selection also considers leadership, communication, community contribution, engagement and co-curricular activities.
Successful recipients must continue satisfying enrolment and academic requirements, including achieving at least a 5.50 Semester One GPA to receive the second scholarship instalment.
Eligible students who intend to apply should use the official University of Auckland scholarship system, read the regulations carefully and ensure that every required section is completed before the 24 September closing time.
