Bruce Grandison Biggs Postgraduate Research Grants

The Polynesian Society established this research grants fund to mark its 125th anniversary, named for the late Professor Bruce Grandison Biggs, who served as President from 1979 to 1993. The fund promotes and advances the scholarly study of past and present peoples and cultures of Oceania, including New Zealand Māori, by supporting academic research. Grants are provided to students studying for qualifications above the Bachelor's level (including Honours degrees) who are enrolled at New Zealand tertiary institutions and whose research topics focus on Māori and Pacific peoples and their cultures. The fund also supports student engagement with Māori and other Pacific Island peoples and their communities for academic purposes. In light of the funds presently available, research grants will normally be around $1000 and not exceed $2000, and are tenable for one year. Granted funds may cover travel and limited fieldwork expenses, including visa fees, but will not cover equipment. Some support may be provided for conference attendance, limited to conferences in NZ, Australia and the Island Pacific, conditional upon presenting a paper. Award recipients are expected to submit a report on their research at the Society's Annual General Meeting following the completion of their grant and are encouraged to publish their research findings.