Peace and Disarmament Education Trust calls for applications

Organisations and postgraduate degree students with a focus on promoting peace are urged to submit applications to receive funding assistance.

Applications to the second funding round of the Peace and Disarmament Education Trust close on 30 September 2009. Applications for project grants and scholarships must be submitted by this date to be eligible for this funding round.

The Trust was established in 1988 with funding received from the French Government in recognition of the events surrounding the destruction of the Rainbow Warrior vessel in 1985.

Each year, the Trust provides postgraduate scholarships and project grants to advance education and thereby promote international peace, arms control and disarmament.

Scholarships of up to $14,000 are awarded for a full year's work for a master's thesis; and up to $21,000 each year for up to three years for a doctoral thesis.

Scholarships have been granted to postgraduate students researching diplomatic strategies for promoting nuclear disarmament; military non-governmental organisation relations; and weapons reduction programmes, amongst others.

Most project grants are for less than $5,000 and fund projects that promote greater public understanding of disarmament and arms control matters and the issues surrounding the resolution of international conflict.

Previous grants have been made to projects including the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence in Papua New Guinea; a model United Nations programme; and a radio programme with a focus on peace and justice.

To obtain an application form, or to learn more about the Trust, visit the Department of Internal Affairs’ website: www.dia.govt.nz or phone 0800 824 824.