Description

The Craig Buck Andrews PhD Scholarship 2025 is a prestigious, fully funded doctoral award aimed at promoting research in the field of financial reporting and financial management, specifically focusing on developing countries. Established through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation, this scholarship was endowed by the late Craig Andrews of Washington DC, who worked extensively on World Bank projects in various developing nations, collaborating with academics from Victoria University of Wellington. His professional experiences and desire to support economic and social development in emerging economies inspired the creation of this scholarship, which aims to foster capacity-building in financial reporting and management within these regions.

Purpose and Historical Context

The scholarship reflects Craig Andrews' deep commitment to economic progress in developing countries. Through his work in financial reporting and management on World Bank projects, he realized the importance of sustainable, transparent financial systems for economic growth. The scholarship aims to address these needs by supporting research that contributes to better financial governance in primary and concessionable industries, both of which are crucial for development.

The primary goal of this scholarship is to encourage doctoral research that builds the necessary expertise for improved financial systems in developing countries. By fostering local knowledge and capacity in financial reporting and management, the scholarship promotes economic resilience and sustainability. Craig Andrews believed that strengthening financial management in emerging economies could lead to broader social and economic development, which remains the scholarship’s core mission.

Degree Level

Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand Craig Buck Andrews PhD Scholarship 2025-2026 (Fully Funded) is available to undertake PhD level programs at Victoria University of Wellington.

Available Subjects

Following subject are available to study under this scholarship program.

• Financial Management
• Financial Reporting

Benefits

Eligible Nationalities

This scholarship is open to domestic and international students of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Institutional Affiliation: Applicants must be enrolled in the School of Accounting and Commercial Law at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.
• Research Focus: The PhD thesis must focus on topics related to financial reporting or financial management in developing countries.
• Contribution to Capacity Building: The thesis should contribute to building capacity for sound financial management, particularly in primary industries or industries operating under concession agreements.
• Preference for Students from Developing Countries: Preference may be given to applicants from developing nations who intend to return to their home country upon completion of their studies, reinforcing the scholarship’s capacity-building mission.

• Enrolment in a PhD Programme: Applicants must be intending to enrol in a PhD in the School of Accounting and Commercial Law.
• Research on Financial Reporting/Management in Developing Countries: The thesis should directly contribute to the scholarship's aim of enhancing financial capacity in developing regions.
• Preference for Developing Country Nationals: Preference may be given to students from developing countries.

Application Procedure

Applicants are required to meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies at Victoria University of Wellington. The application must be submitted online through the Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research's portal, where applicants should clearly indicate their intention to apply for this specific scholarship. The following documents may be requested:

• Personal statements
• Character references
• Evidence of financial hardship (if applicable)

These materials will be reviewed by a selection panel consisting of the Head of the School of Accounting and Commercial Law and other academic experts.

Selection and Tenure

The recipient will be selected by a committee comprising senior academic figures such as the Head of School of Accounting and Commercial Law, Professor Keitha Dunstan (Bond University), and Tony van Zijl (Victoria University of Wellington).

The scholarship covers three years of doctoral study, during which the recipient must remain enrolled full-time at Victoria University of Wellington. Should the student withdraw or fail to make satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the funds may be required. Additionally, the scholarship cannot be deferred and may be held in conjunction with other awards.

Conclusion

The Craig Buck Andrews PhD Scholarship offers a unique and valuable opportunity for both international and domestic students aiming to contribute to the financial development of emerging economies. This fully funded scholarship, with its generous three-year tenure, provides a significant boost to the academic and research endeavors of students enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Accounting and Commercial Law.

The scholarship aligns with Craig Andrews' vision of strengthening financial systems in developing countries, ensuring that recipients' research efforts have a meaningful and lasting impact on the economic development of their home nations. With its strong focus on capacity building and a commitment to supporting scholars from developing regions, this PhD scholarship is a testament to the power of education in driving social and economic change.