Endeavour Fund backs 19 Research Programmes to deliver benefits for New Zealand

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has confirmed funding totalling $183.82 million for 19 Research Programmes through the latest round of the Endeavour Fund. The investment supports ambitious, high‑quality research with strong potential to deliver benefits for New Zealand’s economy, environment and society.

The Endeavour Fund is New Zealand’s largest contestable research fund. Funding decisions are made independently by the Science Board against excellence and impact criteria, and programmes are funded for 3 to 5 years.

Examples of projects funded in this round include:

• Developing new technology to monitor the upper atmosphere, helping improve climate modelling and forecasting of extreme weather. (University of Otago)
• Improving marine spatial planning by using AI tailored to New Zealand’s unique marine ecosystems, with a focus on offshore wind energy generation. (Earth Sciences New Zealand)
• Creating a rapid, low-cost diagnostic platform for multiple uses including early detection of diseases like Alzheimer’s and multi-drug screening for workplaces and roadside testing. (University of Canterbury)
• Exploring superhot geothermal energy to boost clean energy and strengthen New Zealand’s energy security. (Earth Sciences New Zealand)

This investment aligns with the Government’s focus on an impact‑driven science, innovation and technology system, supporting capability development and clear pathways to commercialisation across priority sectors.

For further information about the Endeavour Fund and previous rounds, visit MBIE’s Endeavour Fund pages.

Research Programmes successful proposals

Read the press release:

Endeavour Fund research to shape NZ’s future(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz