2024 DNKBA Scholarships are open!
The National Kitchen and Bathroom Association awards up to four Designers of NKBA (DNKBA) scholarships per year to New Zealand Diploma in Kitchen Design students who demonstrate a high level of industry potential.
With a host of benefits including financial support, mentoring from experienced industry professionals, and plenty of networking opportunities, DNKBA Scholarships provide emerging designers with the support they need to take their kitchen design career to the next level.
This year’s scholarships are proudly supported by Blum, New Zealand Panels Group, and Resene.
Apply now
2024 DNKBA Scholarship applications are open until 2 April. For more information and to apply, visit [here].
The impact of winning
We spoke to two of last year’s recipients, Josh Cooper from Mastercraft Kitchens by Healey, and Amber Downie from Mastercraft Kitchens Kapiti to find out how winning a scholarship has made a difference to their kitchen design careers.
How has winning a DNKBA Scholarship impacted your career?
Josh: Winning the scholarship has given me the confidence to believe that I have the potential to become a great kitchen designer. Finding out that the scholarship winners are chosen by very experienced NZ kitchen designers really made me feel quite honoured to be recognised as an upcoming designer.
Amber: The scholarship allowed me to attend the NKBA Conference where I learnt a lot, not to mention learning more about NKBA and the local design community.
What has been the best thing about winning a scholarship?
Josh: The best thing is not having to worry about the cost of my diploma. It has given me the freedom to concentrate entirely on my assignments. It’s also given me the opportunity to attend the NKBA Conference and meet some fantastic people in our industry.
Amber: Having the financial means to travel for the conference and to pay for the diploma fees, instead of owing my employer – I feel proud that I earned the scholarship by my own merits.
Would you recommend applying for a scholarship?
Josh: I would highly recommend students apply for the scholarship; the benefits 100% outweigh the work to apply. If you are passionate and love kitchen designing like I do, then apply for this scholarship. You won’t be disappointed!
Amber: Most definitely! It is a much bigger win than I thought it was initially and the Scholarship Recipients and Sponsors Day was such a great experience – being able to meet suppliers and hang out with really cool people was a privilege.
