The New Zealand meat industry needs highly skilled young people who can become the future leaders in one of New Zealand’s largest industries. The MIA Scholarship scheme provides a pathway for undergraduate and graduate students into a career in the New Zealand meat industry.

The New Zealand meat industry is one of New Zealand’s largest industries, exporting $10 billion worth of product annually and employing more than 25,000 people. In the past three decades the industry has transformed itself, developing new products, adopting new technologies and automating production, and selling to new overseas markets. The industry needs highly skilled people – not just in food sciences and engineering, but in environmental science, international marketing, process design, industrial innovation – in fact, most subjects will be considered, as long as the person is adaptable, intelligent and hard working.

Scholars will receive financial support and be provided with a mentoring programme during their tenure. At the completion of their programme of study scholars will have the possibility of a career in the meat processing industry.

We offer a number of undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships every year, with an award of $5000 a year for each year of study for undergraduates, and $10,000 a year for each year of study for post graduates. Prospective scholars should note that an industry-based project or part-time/vacation work in the meat industry is a requirement of the programme.

 The 2024 MIA Scholarships Round is now CLOSED.

 MIA accepts applications for both undergraduate and post-graduate study scholarships between October and November each year. MIA does not accept applications outside of this process.

To be eligible you must be a New Zealand Citizen or permanent resident studying at a tertiary institution in a discipline relevant to the meat processing industry and are planning a career in the red meat sector, beyond the farm gate.

Further information about the scholarships is given in the scholarship regulations. You should ensure you have read and understood the conditions noted in the regulations before applying

To apply, please complete the appliction form linked below and supply the required documentation.

For any queries please contact: Kaylene Larking kaylene.larking@mia.co.nz 

Downloadable files:

Current MIA Scholars

Over 40 students have been involved in the scholarship programme since its inception in 2017. You can follow this link to read about current and past MIA scholars