Milton Primary School principal Tania McNamara was presented with the award at the association's annual meeting on November 11.
Association president Debbie Smith said any principal from Otago who was a member of the association was eligible to apply.
Mrs Smith said Mrs McNamara's application stood out because it was very thorough and outlined clear objectives.
The scholarship provided applicants with an opportunity to study in areas of leadership and education, which supported New Zealand goals and objectives.
''Probably what clinched it the most was the way in which she was going to ... use [her study] with her school.''
Mrs McNamara put a lot of effort into her application, Mrs Smith said.
It was difficult deciding the best applicant as they were all of a very high calibre this year.
Mrs McNamara applied so she could travel to England to study storytelling as a way to strengthen oral language, particularly for first year school pupils.
''Some of the data coming out of there looks really exciting,'' Mrs McNamara said.
There were concerns children starting school had a lowered ability in oral language skills.
''We're looking into what we can do to raise that.''
She received an $8000 study grant from Ricoh while the Ministry of Education would meet the costs of a replacement at the school.
Mrs McNamara said she felt very privileged receiving the award, and was ''totally'' surprised she had won.
There were so many other ''amazing'' principals with great ideas for what they wanted to study and research.
''I was blown away and of course I didn't know anything until they announced it at the meeting.''
It was exciting and overwhelming.
''I thought it would be good to have a crack at it just because it is such a prestigious award to win.''
Mrs McNamara will travel to England in June next year for her study.
