Innovation Fund

This fund is for innovative research projects that will help build a blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We define blue economy as being comprised of marine activities that generate economic value and contribute positively to social, cultural and ecological well-being.

The fund introduces new approaches, capability, research and researchers to Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. It supports projects up to a value of $250k for 2 years.

Funding for 6 projects has been announced, with 2 more under consideration.

Learn more

Innovation Fund 2020

6 projects announced Tuesday 27 October

Thank you to all who submitted to the Innovation Fund.

Of the 90 expressions of interest, 16 were invited to submit full proposals. We're delighted to announce 6 projects. Read the announcement.

These were reviewed by our Stakeholder Panel and Kāhui, and independent expert reviewers. We announced funding decisions to prospective project leaders in October.

For any queries, email [email protected]

Credit: Peter Marriott NIWA

Process and timeline

18 May 2020, 12 noon Portal for submissions closed.
July 2020 Submissions were evaluated by the Challenge Leadership Team (CLT), Stakeholder Panel, Kāhui, and independent expert reviewers.
July 2020 Successful parties were invited to submit detailed project proposals, with feedback from Challenge Leadership Team, Stakeholder Panel, Kāhui, and independent expert reviewers. Unsuccessful parties were informed by email.
28 August 2020 Full project proposals due.
September 2020 Full proposals will be reviewed by the Stakeholder Panel, Kāhui, and independent expert reviewers.
Early October 2020 CLT will consider the feedback and make a recommendation to the Governance Group, which is responsible for funding approval.
October 2020 Prospective project leaders notified about the funding decisions. See here for the announcement

All EoI submissions and proposals will be held in confidence and destroyed if not successful.

Project duration and value

Funding available $2m (excl GST)
Maximum project value $250,000 (total) – Expectation is that successful proposals will vary from $50–250k
Project duration Up to 2 years
Eligibility NZ-based researchers, industry, stakeholders, and Māori – Full proposals will require successful applicants to develop partnerships between researchers and Māori/stakeholders (these need to be signalled in the EoI)

Credit: Ben Noll NIWA 2018