Southland Horizons
A Southland Foundation Award
Supporting Southlanders with a dream to pursue, a talent to grow, or a vision to strengthen their community.
Any age. Any field. Any pathway.
Up to ten awards of $10,000 each Apply from 29 June 2026 - 21 August 2026
Do you have the passion to achieve something remarkable?
Some opportunities have the power to change a life. A Southland Horizons Award is one of them.
Established through the Southland Foundation by a generous donor with a deep belief in the future of Southland, this programme is an investment in people, in talent, potential, ambition, and the belief that the right support at the right time can open doors that may otherwise never have been possible.
Up to ten awards of $10,000 each will be offered to people with a genuine connection to Southland who are ready to take the next step in their journey. These awards are designed to make a real and meaningful difference, providing recipients with the opportunity to pursue goals that may have previously felt out of reach.
Southland Horizons is about more than academic achievement alone. We are looking for people with determination, character, vision, and the desire to make a positive contribution in their chosen field or community. People who have already demonstrated commitment and potential, and who, with the right support behind them, are capable of achieving remarkable things.
Wherever your path may lead, Southland Horizons exists to help exceptional Southlanders move forward with confidence and possibility.
If you believe this opportunity could be for you, or for someone you know, we encourage you to explore the information below and submit your application.
“From my early years on a Southland sheep farm to a career spanning more than 50 years, the values I learnt here have stayed with me. This award is my way of helping other Southlanders pursue their ambitions and contribute back to the region we all call home.” – Southland Horizons donor
The Three Pillars of Southland Horizons
Every application is considered across three key pillars. There is no perfect formula or single factor that determines success. Instead, the selection panel is looking for people who show genuine strength across all three areas. The strongest applications are those that speak openly, clearly, and honestly about who you are, what you hope to achieve, and the impact this opportunity could have on your journey.
01
CAPABILITY
Strength in what you do
Talent takes many forms. We are looking for people who are genuinely good at something and passionate to go further with it.
02
CHARACTER
Strength in who you are
Resilience, grit and integrity. People who have kept going when it got hard and shown the kind of mettle that no qualification measures.
03
CONTRIBUTION
Strength in what you give
People with a sense of purpose bigger than themselves, who see their success as connected to the people and places around them.
You dream comes to life here…
We welcome applications from those who are eligible to apply to Southland Horizons. These will open 9am Monday 29nd June 2026 via the Southland Foundation online funding portal and will close 5pm Friday 21st August 2026.
Southland Horizons exists to back Southlanders with ambition, potential, and the courage to pursue something meaningful. Big dreams deserve belief behind them.
Key Information
Please see the key information below for assistance on how to complete and submit your application.
It is a good idea to also read the application guidelines and to review the application questions.
You will need to have all information required on hand so you can complete your application as efficiently as possible. We are here to help, so please contact us if you have any queries or concerns. info@southlandfoundation.org.nz
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The first time you use our Funding Portal, you will need to register as a user. To do this click “Not a member” and enter your name and email address.
You will then receive an email from Southland Foundation with your username, which will be the email you registered with. This email will also include a link to the login screen, where you will be prompted to create a password. If you do not receive an email please check your spam.
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If you start your application but run out of time, that’s not a problem. To make sure the information you have entered is saved and available when you return, please complete each mandatory field marked with an asterisk (*). If needed, you can enter a few temporary words in a mandatory field. Please ensure you have progressed your form through to the Review Screen.
When you log back in, you can update your application by removing any placeholder text and adding the correct information.
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When you return to continue your application, log in using your email address and password. Then, on the top toolbar, click “My Application” to return to and continue your application.
From this Review Screen you can make any changes as well as uploading any additional supporting documents.
Once you are happy with your application click ‘Submit Application’.
You will then receive an acknowledgement email.
To view your submitted application(s) login and go to ‘My Applications’.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A wide range of people can apply. You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and have a connection to Southland. We welcome applications from people aged 15 and over, at any stage of life, whether you’re at school, in training, working, changing careers, caregiving, self-employed, returning to study, or retired. Traditional and non-traditional pathways are equally welcome. Please read the guidelines and criteria before applying.
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You will need to show a real connection to Southland. This could be through currently living here and having done so for two or more years, may include being born or educated here, currently studying here and having done so for a minimum of two years, having immediate family or caregivers who still reside here, or by demonstrating other strong community ties to Southland. If you’re not sure just explain it in your application and the Selection Panel will consider it.
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Yes, you can still apply. However, applications are assessed against the published criteria, and selection will depend on the strength of the applicant pool and the extent to which you meet the overall requirements.
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Yes. However, some other awards may not be able to be held simultaneously, so if you receive multiple offers, you may need to choose between them. Make sure you review the terms and conditions of each scholarship or award carefully. Our Selection Panel also reserves the right to consider the total value of your funding held when considering applications.
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The target award is $10,000 and up to ten awards are made each year. Award amounts may vary between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on individual circumstances and need. The number of awards made may vary depending on the quality and range of applications received.
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Award funds must be used in a way that supports advancement of your education, training, development, or community contribution, consistent with the Southland Foundation’s charitable purposes. This could include training or course fees, equipment and materials, travel and accommodation, project development costs, competition or performance fees, mentoring or coaching, research costs, and community project costs.
Funds can’t be used for general living expenses unrelated to the awarded activity, personal debt, or purposes that do not align with the charitable intent of the award. In your application you will need to explain how you plan to use the funds and how it connects to your chosen pursuit.
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No, this programme is open to anyone with a genuine passion and drive to pursue something worthwhile, whether or not they are enrolled in a course or institution. You may be studying, training, creating, competing, developing a community initiative, or pursuing a self-directed pathway. The main thing is that your pursuit has a genuine purpose beyond personal financial gain.
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The documents you need will depend on your pathway, but may include academic transcripts, a personal statement, references, proof of enrolment, proof of identity, or other supporting information. You can find the exact requirements in the application guidelines.
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Shortlisted applicants will be contacted in mid-September 2026 and invited to attend a brief interview of around 20 to 30 minutes. Interviews may be held online or in person. If you choose to attend in person, this is at your own cost. You will be given at least two weeks’ notice.
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Applications are initially reviewed by our staff for fit against eligibility. The Award Selection Panel then considers and makes award distribution recommendations to the Southland Foundation Board.
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Applicants will be notified after the assessment and selection process has been completed in October 2026. Timeframes may vary, so please refer to the award information for expected notification dates.
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If you receive an award, you will need to meet some ongoing requirements as outlined in an agreement with the Southland Foundation. These may include providing updates on your progress, letting us know about any significant changes to your plans, and meeting any other agreed conditions related to the award.