Mercer Memorial Scholarship in Aeronautics

The Mercer Memorial Scholarship in Aeronautics provides up to $6,000 to support a postgraduate student carrying out research in a field related to aeronautics. This Scholarship arises from a fund subscribed in 1948 by the members of the Air Pilots' Guild of New Zealand, friends and admirers of the late Captain J. C. Mercer, who was killed in 1944 while flying in a commercial aeroplane. Captain Mercer spent twenty-seven years' active life as a pioneer in air transport. From 1948 to 1964 the fund was administered by the University of New Zealand and the University Grants Committee, and one Scholarship was available. In 1965 the fund was divided to provide separate Scholarships at the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury. The scholarship provides assistance to engage in original work in aeronautics research. It is offered annually with a tenure of one year, and one scholarship is awarded per year.