Endeavour Fund
The Endeavour Fund plays a unique role in the science system through investing in excellent science with the potential to positively impact New Zealand’s economy, environment and society. The 2026 investment round will be through contract extension rather than open contest.
On this page
The Fund encourages researchers to consider a diverse range of ideas and conduct excellent research. It will provide the highest potential impacts across a range of economic, environmental, and societal objectives, and give effect to the Vision Mātauranga policy.
The funding available
Endeavour funding is available through 2 mechanisms:
- Smart Ideas
- Research Programmes.
Endeavour Fund 2026 investment round will not invite new applications. It will provide an opportunity to extend existing contracts which had an expiry date of 30 September 2026 when first contracted. This change doesn’t affect the 2025 funding round. Further information is published in the:
Endeavour Fund 2026 Contract Extension Round Gazette Notice(external link) — Gazette.govt.nz
The Science Board may invest up to $59.3 million of new funding (excluding GST) through the 2026 Contract Extension Round for the Endeavour Fund.
Smart Ideas
This investment mechanism catalyses and rapidly tests promising, innovative research ideas with high potential for benefit to New Zealand, to enable refresh and diversity in the science portfolio.
Research Programmes
This investment mechanism is intended to support ambitious, excellent, and well-defined research ideas which, collectively, have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need.
More information
More information on the policy objectives, investment signals, funding targets, eligibility criteria, and the assessment criteria, can be found in the Endeavour Fund Investment Plan 2025-2027 and the Endeavour Fund 2026 Contract Extension Round Gazette Notice.
The 2026 call for proposals for the Contract Extension Round for both Smart Ideas and Research Programmes will be published later this year.
Vision Mātauranga policy [PDF, 418 KB]
Endeavour Fund Investment Plan 2025-2027
Endeavour Fund 2026 Contract Extension Round Gazette Notice(external link) — Gazette.govt.nz
Who can apply
Proposals need to meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Gazette Notice.
Endeavour Fund 2026 Contract Extension Round Gazette Notice(external link) — Gazette.govt.nz
Investment decisions
The Science Board makes its investment decisions in accordance with the Gazette Notice.
The Science Board’s funding decisions are informed by assessor reviews against the assessment criteria.
When making its investment decisions, the Science Board may decide to invest less than the total amounts indicated.
Reporting and monitoring requirements
Use these templates to complete your reporting requirements for Smart Ideas and Research Programmes. All reports are submitted in Pītau – our online portal.
Smart Ideas Annual Reporting 2025
Your annual report details your MBIE funded work programme’s progress between 1 July 2024 (or the start date of the work programme, whichever is later) and 30 June 2025.
If your contract end date is between 1 June 2025 and 30 September 2025, please use the Smart Ideas Final Report template instead.
You can submit your report anytime between Tuesday 1 July 2025 and Friday 29 August 2025.
Smart Ideas Annual Reporting Template 2025 [DOCX 160KB]
Smart Ideas Final Reporting
Your final report details your MBIE funded work programme’s progress for the whole contract.
You can submit your final report anytime from Tuesday 1 July 2025.
Research Programmes Annual and Final Reporting
Your annual report details your MBIE funded work programme’s progress between 1 July 2024 (or the start date of the work programme, whichever is later) and 30 June 2025.
If your contract ends on or before 30 September 2025 you must anticipate and include the remaining months of the contract and enter your expected results in your annual report which be treated as your final report. You will not have to submit a final report at the end of the contract.
You can submit your report anytime between Tuesday 1 July 2025 and Friday 29 August 2025.
Contact us
For more information, email:
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