Dan Watkins was a leading figure in the early weed science research arena within New Zealand. He was a founder of the New Zealand Weeds Conference (forerunner of the New Zealand Plant Protection Society), a member of the New Zealand National Research Council and was involved with other scientific bodies. Funded by a George Mason Endowment Gift, this scholarship was established in memory of Dan Watkins to recognise his contribution to weed science within New Zealand. It aims to encourage research into the biology and control of weeds in New Zealand. The New Zealand Plant Protection Society administers this scholarship on behalf of the Taranaki Foundation.
Scholarship applications from students at a New Zealand university or students registered in other recognised New Zealand tertiary institutions will be considered.
The Scholarship is a prestigious award made on a competitive basis usually each year. In making awards, consideration will be given to the quality, appropriateness and relevance of the proposed research, the academic record of the applicant, and a supporting statement from their supervisor or sponsor. The monetary value of the Scholarship will usually be $5,500, which will be paid in two instalments. Recipients will be encouraged to become members of the Society and present a paper about their research to one of the Society’s conferences.
Deadline for applications: 15 October 2025.
Applications
For enquiries, contact the secretary Applicants must complete the online application form below and ask their supervisor to complete the Supervisor endorsement form.
Past recipients
- 2024: Friederike Espinoza
- 2023: Rachael Lockhart
- 2022: Nidhi Shrivastav
- 2021: Robert Gibson II
- 2020: Jesse Rubenstein
- 2019: Brenda Lowry
- 2018: Thomas Carlin
- 2017: David Kerr
- 2016: Caitlin Henderson