German born Mr Tolson (43) said the funding provided a "fantastic opportunity" to further his studies at Otago, which was a "great university".
He recently lived in West Yorkshire, England, for more than 10 years, gaining an MSc in international hospitality and tourism management at Sheffield Hallam University.
About two and a-half years ago, he moved to Dunedin, where he lives with his wife Julie and 2-year-old daughter Leisel.
His doctorate will focus on aspects of economic analysis, and he will conduct a variety of economic impact assessments using different techniques, aiming to help establish good practice, benchmarking and a code of conduct.
He is one of six Otago University students and among 35 students from throughout the country who have received university scholarships from Freemasons New Zealand this year, totalling $250,000.
The scholarships were formally awarded at a recent ceremony at the Wellington Town Hall.
Another Otago University PhD student, Dr Matthew Shaw (47), a British-trained general practitioner who now lives in Wellington, was "very pleased and very grateful" to also receive a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship, to support his studies.
For seven years, Dr Shaw worked in the Gambia, West Africa, on a community project aimed at changing social norms and preventing HIV, and which much reduced domestic violence among participating communities.
He is working part-time on his doctorate, which focuses on his Gambian work, and which could have potential applications for some New Zealand community development work.
Otago students receiving $6000 undergraduate scholarships are: Olivia Faull, who is working towards a bachelor of physical education majoring in sports science and a BSc majoring in neuroscience, and who wishes to work with high performance athletes; Julien Van Mellaerts, studying for a bachelor of music with honours, having recently completed a BA in French, and who plans to become a professional opera singer; Gareth Benic, a final-year bachelor of dental surgery student, who is one of six Otago dental students who will soon travel to the Cook Islands to provide free dental care; Anthony Wicks, who is in the final year of an LLB (hons) degree and a BA (hons) in French, and is undertaking further university French study in Paris.
