Scholarship Opportunities

Need support for higher learning?

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation currently has ten scholarships available through various endowment funds, covering a wide range of study areas. Scholarship applications are managed either through the Foundation or directly with the provider (ie: Ōpōtiki College, Victoria University).

You can read more about the funds that support our scholarships below, or scroll down for information on the application process - including when to apply.

Arts Whakatane Youth Scholarship

Arts Whakatane Youth Scholarship For Whakatāne District youth aged 15-20 for excellence in the Arts

The Bay Education and Research Scholarship

The Bay Education and Research ScholarshipFor Eastern BOP students studying at Victoria University

Bridger Family Trades Scholarship

Bridger Family Trades ScholarshipTrades scholarship for Ōpōtiki College students

Dick Anstis Family STEM Scholarship

Dick Anstis Family STEM ScholarshipSTEM Scholarship for tertiary students in their second or subsequent years of study

EBOP Music Development Grant

EBOP Music Development GrantMusic development grant for youth aged 10-25

Jean Smithson Nursing Scholarship

Jean Smithson Nursing ScholarshipFor registered or trainee Ōpōtiki nurses wanting to upskill

Monkey Puzzle Tree Scholarship Fund

Monkey Puzzle Tree Scholarship FundWhakatāne High School and Trident High School Scholarships

Ōpōtiki College Alumni Scholarship

Ōpōtiki College Alumni ScholarshipTu Kahikitea Scholarship for Excellence

Rendall Family Scholarship

Rendall Family ScholarshipTertiary Scholarship for Tarawera High School Students

Rod Mcpherson Memorial Rural Scholarship

Rod Mcpherson Memorial Rural ScholarshipScholarship for tertiary agricultural studies or cadetships

Applications Open Now

Applications are now open for the following scholarships - closing on 31 August 2026:

Dick Anstis Family STEM Scholarship

For tertiary students in their 2nd or subsequent years of study. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics.

Rod McPherson Memorial Rural Scholarship

For tertiary agricultural studies or cadetships.

Rendall Family Scholarship

Tertiary Scholarship for Tarawera High School students

Jean Smithson Nursing Scholarships

For registered or trainee Ōpōtiki nurses wanting to upskill.

Apply Here

How to apply

Click the "apply now" button below and sign in to access your existing account.
If you are a new user, sign up to create a new account.

Select a Scholarship to learn about the program’s requirements, then click Apply to start your application (step-by-step instructions here).

Make sure you include a cover letter, and if you wish to add any further information you can upload extra files when completing the application.

Apply now VIA THE ONLINE PORTAL

Most scholarships open for applications on 1 August 2026.

Thank you to our generous donors for making these funds available.

For updates about scholarships and other grant opportunities please follow our Facebook page or subscribe to our newsletter (link in footer).

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Victoria University Scholarship

Scholarship applications for The Bay Education Fund are managed by Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington - click here for more information and to apply.

Ōpōtiki College Scholarships

The Bridger Family Trades Scholarship and the Tū Kahikatea Scholarship are managed directly by Ōpōtiki College. Please contact them for more information.

Outward Bound
& Spirit of Adventure Scholarships

These scholarships are administered by the Ōpōtiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund and managed directly by Ōpōtiki College. Please contact the College for more information.

Arts Whakatāne Scholarship

Applications for the Arts Whakatāne Youth Scholarship are managed by Arts Whakatāne. You can find out more and apply here.

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation helps connect you with causes you care about.

Funds can be setup to celebrate excellence, improve health and social wellbeing of our residents, reduce inequality in our communities, preserve our precious environment, our heritage and taonga, support music, the arts and cultural activities, and encourage education and learning for all ages.

If you would like to create a named fund, support a scholarship opportunity, or donate to an existing fund, please contact us - we would love to chat with you about how we can help you give back to our community.

Every donation made to the Eastern Bay Community Foundation is invested, protected and grown - meaning our donor’s generosity will support our communities needs well into the future. Read more about how this works here.

Learn more