News
Published 19 February 2026Travel scholarship for postgraduate students to attend Bruce Weir Summer Institute in Statistical Genetics
The Royal Society Te Apārangi is pleased to announce a generous gift from Professors Bruce and Beth Weir that will enable travel scholarships for two postgraduate students at New Zealand universities.
The Summer Institute in Statistical Genetics aims to introduce geneticists to current methods of statistical analysis, and statisticians to the challenges posed by genetic data. In 2026, the course will run from June 1–12, at the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta, United States of America. View course details.
The Institute is named in honour of Professor Emeritus Bruce Weir FRS FRSNZ, an expert in statistical and forensic genetics. Bruce Weir was born in New Zealand and educated at the University of Canterbury, before embarking on an international career. Prof Weir will teach a module as part of his Summer Institute, alongside other leading researchers. Bruce and Beth Weir now live in Palmerston North.
Citizens or permanent residents who are current postgraduate students in New Zealand should submit a one-page letter on their motivation to study statistical genetics, a two-page CV, and a letter from their academic supervisor by Thursday 19 March, 2026 to applications@royalsociety.org.nz.
Any questions about the process or the scholarships can be sent to the same address. The two award winners will be announced by Thursday 2 April, 2026.