New transition fund provides continuity while backing bold ideas
Published: 14 May 2026
A streamlined Transition Research Fund has been announced for 2027, aligning science funding with national priorities and supporting a focus on outcomes that benefit New Zealand.
The fund was developed on advice from the newly established science funding decision-maker, Research Funding New Zealand. This new fund brings investigator-led research into a single fund with three funding mechanisms:
- Talent Development supports future research leaders to build capability, test ideas and establish independent careers.
- Projects enable bold, innovative research with strong potential to deliver meaningful benefits for New Zealand.
- Programmes support ambitious, collaborative research tackling complex challenges and delivering transformational outcomes over a longer term.
It supports research from early discovery through to larger scale programmes with a focus on delivering impact for New Zealand, in line with national priorities for science, innovation and technology.
The Prime Minister's Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council recommended the following four priority areas for public investment:
- Primary industries and the bioeconomy.
- Technology for prosperity.
- Environmental sustainability and resilience.
- Healthy people and a thriving society.
Priorities will be confirmed in the Science, Investment Plan expected to be released mid-2026.
The Transition Research Fund brings contestable funding which would have otherwise been delivered through future rounds of the Marsden and Endeavour funds into a single investigator-led research fund.
It will open for applications later this year.
The total first year investment in the Transition Research Fund in 2027 will be up to $84.4 million. The Transition Research Fund will invest up to $300 million over five years in total.
Final funding decisions will be made by Research Funding New Zealand, with all funded projects showing clear alignment with Government priorities for science, innovation and technology.
This investment forms part of the total appropriation for Science, Innovation and Technology, alongside funding that has already been committed through previous rounds of Endeavour, Marsden and other investments and initiatives. All existing contracts continue as agreed.
More information will be available in due course. We recommend subscribing to our MBIE Science Reform newsletter and stakeholder alerts for updates.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/new-transition-fund-provides-continuity-while-backing-bold-ideas
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