The Next Generation Scholarship 2026

Are you one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s future climate leaders?

We’re excited to open applications for the 2026 Next Generation Scholarship, proudly sponsored by thinkstep-anz.

Today’s young people are the climate leaders of tomorrow. Our seven Next Generation scholarships, sponsored by thinkstep-anz, help include more young professionals and students in the conversation. These scholarships cover the full cost of attending the 2026 Climate Change and Business Conference (valued at $1,690 per ticket) from 7-8 September in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.

If you're aged 18–30 and passionate about climate action and the role of business, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to hear from Aotearoa New Zealand’s climate leaders, join critical conversations and gain insights to shape your impact in business.

Together, we will build momentum for climate action as New Zealand approaches 2030, exploring how businesses can cut emissions, adapt to climate impacts and thrive in the global transition.

Who can apply?

Aged 18-30
Work in sustainability and intending to build your career in this field OR studying towards a qualification relevant to sustainability with the intention of building a career in sustainability. Many disciplines contribute to a more sustainable future, including but not limited to engineering, communications, environmental science, law, management, and finance.
Unable to attend the conference without financial support (e.g., you cannot be funded by an employer, institute, or other party).

What is included?

A conference ticket to attend the New Zealand Climate Change and Business Conference Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 7 & 8 September, 2026 in person.
Opportunities to engage with industry leaders and expand your professional network.
Invite to a networking breakfast with thinkstep-anz
Insights into the latest climate action strategies and sustainability practices.
Note: The scholarship covers the conference ticket but does not include travel or accommodation costs.

Applications closed on Monday 13 July.
Keep an eye on our LinkedIn page for the 2026 scholarship recipient announcement.

Below are some of their reflections from last year's scholarship recipients.

Hien Nguyen | Palmerston North
Hien was pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development Goals at Massey University, driven by her strong interest in advancing sustainability within business contexts.

"I particularly resonated with the insights of Heather Peacocke, Chief Advisor at the Ministry for the Environment, on the role of storytelling in enabling better climate decisions. She highlighted three essential elements that stuck with me; identity: when climate action becomes part of who we are; agency: when people feel empowered to contribute and see themselves as change agents; and narratives: when we shift the conversation toward what we can build together, not just what we must give up."

Rohit Gunasekaran | Wellington
Rohit was a Climate Change Science and Policy Graduate.

"The sessions were inspiring, like hearing Cynthia Houniuhi, a young climate activist from the Solomon Islands and the current President of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), talk about how she and her classmates pushed for an ICJ advisory opinion on states’ climate obligations, or Climate Change Commissioner Andy Reisinger's sobering take on what happens if we overshoot 1.5°C. I also enjoyed the range of ideas on everything from low-carbon buildings to financing clean tech and even how AI could play a role in climate action."

Penelope Goertzen | Auckland
Penelope was a graduate analyst at Vector

"Over two days I was hit with so much: SAF fuel for Air NZ, farming, forestry and methane, the science of extreme weather events, global politics around the Paris Agreement - from the superpowers like the US and China to smaller Pacific nations like Vanuatu. I learnt how New Zealand fits into this global puzzle. The biggest shift for me was hearing the challenge set by Shay Schlaepfer from the Environmental Defence Society: 'When political leadership falters, business can lead.” Another idea that stuck was “clean your own backyard first.' These words made me realise that we don’t get to sit back just because politics is messy, we can lead through our work, our choices, and a million small actions."

Luca Harris | Auckland
Luca was an Analyst at Motion Capital

"What stuck with me was how often solutions were framed as growth opportunities rather than costs. To me, the key is making climate solutions economical, that's how we unlock, scale, accelerate mitigation, and create transformational change…Overall I'm hopeful that it has now become in the interest of corporates to improve the way they approach climate change."

Muhammad Shah Zaib | Hamilton
Muhummad was a Master’s student in civil engineering

"I was encouraged to see how seriously different sectors are taking climate action. I saw how powerful it is when policy, business, and activism come together. It reminded me that real change is possible. This gave me more energy to keep pushing my mission at my own business Green Upshot."

Abigail Spratt | Dunedin
Abagail was a law and arts student at the University of Otago