Fidelity Life has launched a new Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) scholarship for New Zealand advisers, introducing MDRT-linked international conference attendance into its adviser development activity.
The insurer has opened applications for the inaugural Ross Collett Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Scholarship, which will provide one New Zealand‑based adviser with a $5,000 grant to attend either the MDRT Global Conference or the MDRT Annual Meeting in 2026. Applications close on March 6, 2026, and are open to advisers who qualify for MDRT in the 2026 membership year. MDRT is an international association of life insurance and financial advisers who meet set production and professional standards. The scholarship will fund an adviser’s participation in an MDRT conference, where they can attend sessions and interact with advisers from other markets.
The scholarship has been created in honour of Ross Collett, whom the company describes as a long‑standing supporter of the MDRT community and of ongoing professional learning and connection in advice. “Ross has always championed the idea that great advice doesn’t stand still – it’s shaped by curiosity, connection, and a willingness to learn from others. This scholarship reflects those values. It’s our way of honouring Ross’s legacy by supporting advisers who want to broaden their perspective, challenge themselves, and bring fresh thinking back to New Zealand,” Bronwyn Kirwan (pictured right), chief commercial officer at Fidelity Life, said.
Fidelity Life positions the Ross Collett MDRT Scholarship within its wider adviser training initiatives and links it to outcomes for the New Zealand advice market as well as for the individual recipient. For the successful applicant, the insurer says the scholarship is intended to offer both financial support and an expectation that insights from MDRT will be shared locally. “The real value of MDRT isn’t just the conference itself, it’s the perspective it gives you. Exposure to international insights can fundamentally change how you think about advice, leadership, and customer value. When those learnings are shared, the impact goes well beyond one individual,” Kirwan said.
The selected adviser will be asked to share key takeaways with the New Zealand adviser community following the MDRT event, for example, through presentations, case studies, or other activities arranged with Fidelity Life. Applications must be submitted through Fidelity Life’s Adviser hub via an online form. Advisers must meet MDRT qualification criteria for 2026 to be eligible. The successful candidate will be notified after the March 6 closing date. Standard terms and conditions apply.
The MDRT announcement follows Fidelity Life’s confirmation that its Adviser edge professional development platform will run again in 2026, with an increased number of scholarships for its Career connect entry‑level programme. Now entering its third year, Adviser edge consists of three programmes - Career connect, Professional pathways, and Advice masters - covering advisers from entry into the profession through to senior roles and business ownership.
“Our ambition with Adviser edge is to help build the world’s best risk advisers – and that takes long‑term, intentional development. Advisers are telling us they want development that is practical and directly applicable to how they serve customers and run their businesses. Adviser edge brings this together into a connected, end‑to‑end programme. We’re seeing advisers move through multiple programmes over time, reinforcing that this isn’t a one-off intervention, but a long-term development pathway that supports both individual growth and meaningful contribution to the profession,” Michelle Doyle, Fidelity Life head of solutions, said.
Career connect, which is aimed at people entering the advice profession, will offer 13 scholarships in 2026, up from eight in the previous year. The scholarships are supported by Fidelity Life and several industry partners: Kaplan Education Pty Limited, Farmers Mutual Group and FMG Insurance Limited (FMG), with additional support from The New Zealand Home Loan Company Limited (NZHL Group) and Share NZ Services Limited. The partners have stated goals of increasing access to the profession and participation from a wider range of candidates. Career connect participants are supported to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) with a focus on life, disability, and health insurance, and to develop interpersonal and practice‑management skills relevant to adviser roles.
“Building a sustainable advice sector requires intentional action over time. This isn’t about short-term fixes. It’s about creating real pathways into the profession, removing barriers to entry, and working alongside partners who share our commitment to the future of advice. Together, we’re helping open the door to a broader range of people who can make a meaningful difference for customers,” Doyle said. Since the programme began, 67 participants have obtained their Level 5 qualification through Career connect, with more than 60% moving into adviser roles or other positions in financial services. Applications for the 2026 Career connect intake close on Feb. 27.
In addition to MDRT support and entry‑level scholarships, Fidelity Life is accepting applications for its two advanced Adviser edge programmes. Professional pathways is for practising advisers who want to further their development through structured learning, coaching, and mentoring. Advice masters is for experienced advice business owners interested in expanding their businesses and taking on broader leadership responsibilities, with input from industry practitioners on governance, business performance, and longer‑term planning. Members of the Advice masters cohort will be eligible to join the Adviser edge Study tour in 2026, an international programme that offers selected advisers exposure to overseas advice markets and leadership content. The 2026 tour will follow an initial trip to Sydney and Melbourne in 2025.
All three Adviser edge programmes run over six months from June 2026. Fidelity Life plans to accept 50 advisers into Professional pathways and 30 business owners into Advice masters, with applications scheduled to close in early March. Fidelity Life says more than 200 advisers have taken part in Adviser edge since launch. According to company survey data, 100% of participants would recommend the programme to their peers, and 94% of Professional pathways and Advice masters participants reported increased confidence in managing their businesses. With the Ross Collett MDRT Scholarship now sitting alongside Adviser edge, Fidelity Life is combining international MDRT conference access with its domestic development programmes for New Zealand risk and financial advisers.
