Applications Now Open for 2026 New Zealand Turf Scholarships
Building on the success of previous years' educational initiatives, Syngenta is proud to announce the continuation of its commitment to the New Zealand Turf Industry for 2026. We are excited to offer two prestigious scholarships:
Both initiatives aim to foster the winder education of members and to support women within the Turf Industry of New Zealand.
Syngenta's Women In Turf Scholarship
The Women in Turf Scholarship award will be presented to one winner, who will receive an all-expenses paid trip to attend the annual ASTMA Turf Conference 2026, this year taking place in Melbourne, Victoria – Australia.
This educational opportunity is the result of a partnership between Syngenta Turf & Landscape ANZ and the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA).
The ASTMA National Conference for 2026 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday, 22nd June 2026 to Thursday, 25th June 2026. Conference details can be found at www.astma.com.au/conference
APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the Syngenta Woman in Turf scholarship 2026 you will need to:
- Be actively engaged in Turf Management in New Zealand
- Have at least 2 years’ experience working full-time in the turf management industry and be currently employed in a professional turf management role such as
- Golf course, sports field, open space management, racecourse, etc.
- Hold the position of:
- Superintendent / Asst. Superintendent / Curator / Asst. Curator / Grounds Manager / Asst. Grounds Manager / Foreman / 3IC / Senior Greenkeeper / Apprentice Green Keeper / Spray Technician / Operations Manager / Supervisor / Ground Staff
- Have a valid passport and be legally allowed to travel to Australia.
NZGCSA’s 'Wider Education' Scholarship - 2026
The New Zealand Golf Course Superintendent Association (NZGCSA) and Syngenta Turf & Landscape are proud to announce the annual nomination for the Wider Education Scholarship 2026. This opportunity is designed to help build upon the wider education of members within the Turf Industry of New Zealand.
The nomination to the "Wider Education" Scholarship provides one winner with the means to attend the annual ASTMA Turf Conference in Australia. The ASTMA National Conference for 2026 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday, 22nd June 2026 to Thursday, 25th June 2026. Conference details can be found at www.astma.com.au/conference
APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the Wider Education Scholarship 2026 you will need to:
- Nominate a current NZGCSA member (that being an applicator, spray technician, staff member or yourself)
- Nominated candidates must have at least 2 years’ experience working full-time in the turf management industry and be currently employed on a golf course.
- Hold the position of: Superintendent / Asst. Superintendent / Foreman / 3IC / Senior Greenkeeper or Ground staff / Apprentice Green Keeper
- Have a valid passport and be legally allowed to travel to Australia.
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARD
Each of the above scholarship's awards will be presented to one winner each, who will receive an all-expenses paid trip to attend the 2026 ASTMA Turf Conference in Melbourne, Victoria - Australia, from June 22nd to 25th, 2026.
The winners will also receive a small-group training session on plant protection products. Focusing on understanding target pests, weeds, and diseases in greater detail with Michael Bradbery, Technical Services Lead for Turf & Landscape ANZ.
The scholarships includes:
- Return airfares from New Zealand to Melbourne, Australia
- Full conference registration (including daytime meals)
- Accommodation in Melbourne for 4-5 nights (including breakfast)
- All sanctioned ASTMA Turf Conference Events (including conference registration)
- Syngenta Evening Events (including dinners)
- Small-group training session on plant protection products with Michael Bradbery.
The deadline for both applications is Friday, 17th April 2026.
Application answers will be shortlisted by the judging panel. The three (3) shortlisted candidates will be notified by mid May and invited to an interview via video conference. The final winners will be notified after the interview process is completed.
Apply now:
Or for more information, contact Dan Docherty (daniel.docherty@syngenta.com) – Business Manager, Turf & Landscape, Syngenta.
Terms & Conditions: 1. Applications can be submitted from Monday 9 March 2026 to Friday 17 April 2026. 2. Conduct interviews with short listed candidates in early May 2026. 3. Applicants will only be contacted if they have reached the interview stage. 4. One (1) winner from each scholarship will be announced in late May 2026. 5. Winners will be contacted by Syngenta to arrange flights to Australia. 6. Decisions made by Syngenta on the winners are based on their application answer. 7. Syngenta’s decision on finalists and winners are final.
Want to know what the winners from 2025 had to say about their full scholarship experience?
Read their article below:
https://turf.syngentaturflandscape.com/en-au/2025-new-zealand-educational-scholarship-winners-stories
