University of Auckland: Mathematics Department

Research funding opportunities - external


There are numerous sources of funding outside the University to support research, by staff, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. These may be categorised by type and/or funding agency. A selection of some of the most appropriate for mathematical research are listed below.


Research grant funds

[See also under Research funding agencies below]


Postdoctoral and other Fellowship schemes

[See also the University of Auckland's own Postdoctoral Fellowships Fund]


Postgraduate research scholarships

[See also the University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships (for students with good academic records enrolling in a PhD or other doctorate at the University of Auckland)]

[See also Other Scholarships for University of Auckland students]


Commercial sponsorship of research


Research funding agencies

[See also the Community of Science (COS) Funding Opportunities database (accessible from any University of Auckland computer connected to the web), and a list of other research funding sources maintained by the Royal Society of NZ]


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Last updated: 3 September 2002



Research grant funds



Marsden Fund

The Marsden Fund was established "to support excellent research and researchers".

Its objectives are to:

Proposals for research are sought, selected and funded on the basis of an open and contestable process. There is one round of applications per year, but each round involves a 2-phase process: preliminary proposals are invited at the end of each year (with a closing date in February), and after assessment of these by subject panels, a number of applicants are invited to submit full proposals (with a closing date in May) for consideration along with referee reports. Final decisions are usually made in August and announced in September.

Eligibility to bid to the fund is unrestricted -- provided that the research proposed is either to be carried out in New Zealand or, if its nature demands that it be carried out elsewhere, by New Zealand-based researchers.

Each proposal is to be judged against the following key criteria:
(a) merit of the proposal, including originality, insight and rigour
(b) potential of the researchers to contribute to the advancement of knowledge
(c) contribution to development or broadening of research skills in New Zealand, particularly those of emerging researchers.
Primary consideration is given to the above key criteria. Secondary consideration may then be given to the cost of proposals.

Funds are allocated for the support of research projects or programmes, or for the support of individual researchers, including post-doctoral fellows. Funds may also be used to provide scholarships to support work by post-graduate scholars towards a doctorate (but such work should be designed as part of a larger programme of work which conforms with the criteria for the scheme).

Attention is given to supporting both major programmes of research of substantial significance involving teams of researchers, and of individual researchers.

All proposals put forward must be fully costed. Full costing shall include direct costs, associated personnel costs and an appropriate share of overhead costs such as institutional administration and depreciation of capital assets and buildings. Funds will be awarded to cover the full cost of new proposals. The Committee shall have the discretion to offer to fund, at full cost, a smaller project than the one proposed. Complementary purchases (at full cost) may take place, but shared funding in the form of one party paying direct costs and the other indirect costs will not be permitted.

Guidelines and applications forms for the current funding round may be obtained from the University's Research Office or directly from the Royal Society of NZ.


NZ Science & Technology Linkages Fund

The NZ Science & Technology Linkages Fund was established in 1994 to support New Zealand's international science and technology linkages. It particularly supports commitments to treaties or treaty level international agreements and other multilateral science and technology arrangements, international science and technology activities to support New Zealand's recognised strategic interests overseas, and leadership/leverage of new international science and technology initiatives.

The purpose of the fund is to ensure that New Zealand science and technology activities achieve full integration with the best international research and development effort. It tends to provide small grants to cover travel costs and associated expenses (but not salaries).

The NZ Science & Technology Linkages Fund is a composite of the following five sub-programmes:

Bilateral Research Activities Programme (BRAP)

New Zealand-Australia Research Coordination Programme (NZARCP) NZ/USA Science and Technological Co-operative Science Programme (NZ/USA CSP) NZ/Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Programme NZ/FRG Scientific and Technological Co-operation (STC) Agreement

The NZ Science & Technology Linkages Fund is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of the NZ Government's Minister of Research, Science and Technology.

Applications usually close in May of each year (for the following July to June year).

Guidelines and application forms for the current funding round may be obtained from the University's Research Office or directly from the Royal Society of NZ.


New Economy Research Fund

The intent of the New Economy Research Fund (NERF) is to invest in basic research with a focus on developing knowledge and capability to support the development of new, and emerging, RS&T intensive enterprises in New Zealand.

Research supported by NERF tends to be research which:

This fund is administered by the the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology (FRST).

Through NERF, the Foundation is looking to make some high risk and (potentially) high return investments, in leading-edge, basic research -- research done by world class research teams that also have some awareness of the commercial environment.

The Foundation invests in NERF research as part of its ongoing investment processes, which focus on key areas (or portfolios) each year, using its own investment criteria.

There is no separate funding process for NERF.


Public Good Science & Technology Funds

The Government's investment in Vote: RS&T (Research, Science & Technology) is divided into 14 Output Classes, of which six are referred to as "Public Good Science & Technology":

The Foundation for Research, Science & Technology (FRST) invests funds on behalf of the Government in these areas through its
Public Good Science & Technology (PGST) Funds.

According to the Foundation's website:

Public Good Science and Technology spans the innovation, economic, social and environmental goals for Vote: RS&T. The portfolios of research included here involve partnerships with private companies, central and local government, Maori organisations, and other communities of interest within New Zealand. These partnerships provide the basis for world-class research teams to develop and sustain research programmes that will generate significant benefits to New Zealand.

The Foundation invests in PGST research as part of its ongoing investment processes, which focus on key areas (or portfolios) each year, using its own investment criteria.

There is no separate funding process for PGST Funds.


Small grants from the NZ Mathematical Society

The NZ Mathematical Society has a small amount of funds available each year to support research, in particular for grants from its Student Travel Fund, Research Fund, and South Pacific Fund.

Members of the NZMS may apply for financial assistance with the costs of hosting mathematical visitors, organising conferences or workshops, attending conferences, and any other mathematical research-related activity.

A relatively high priority will be given to applications involving contact between the mathematical communities of New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific.

The NZMS Council normally considers applications at its mid-year and end-of-year meetings each year, but applications may be considered at other times in exceptional circumstances.

Applications can be made to the NZMS Council using the form printed at the back of the 4-monthly NZMS Newsletter. This form is also available at http://www.massey.ac.nz/~wwifs/mathnews/grantapp2000.html.

Completed application forms should be sent to the NZMS Secretary:


Small grants from the Royal Society of NZ

From time to time, as funding permits, the Royal Society of NZ makes modest grants for the encouragement of scientific research in New Zealand. These include

  • RSNZ Travel Grants, to enable PhD students to attend their first international scientific conference overseas

  • Grants from the Skinner Fund to promote the study of the history, art, culture, physical and social anthropology of the Maori and other Polynesian peoples, particularly through the recording, survey, excavation and scientific study of prehistoric and historic sites in New Zealand and the islands of the South-west Pacific.

    Further information and application forms are available from the Royal Society of NZ.


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    Last updated: 3 September 2002



    Postdoctoral and other Fellowship schemes



    NZ Science & Technology Postdoctoral Fellowships

    The NZ Science & Technology Post-Doctoral Fellowships are funded by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Economic Development, with the purpose of

    The Scheme is not intended to provide support for those doctoral graduates who have permanent employment.

    Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, and must have completed their PhD and have official confirmation of this by their university.

    There are usually two application rounds for the NZ Science & Technology Post Doctoral Fellowships each year.

    Applications are assessed according to the following criteria:

    The key factors considered are the excellence of the applicant and the excellence of the proposed research.

    Half of the Fellowships in any funding round will be targeted to supporting doctoral graduates in areas of advanced biological, medical and health, information and communications, and technology sciences. Further information about these targeted areas for growth of human capital is available in the Strategic Portfolio Outlines (SPOs) on the website of the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology. The remainder of the Fellowships will be available in any fields of research listed in the Notes for Applicants.

    The NZ Science & Technology Post-Doctoral Fellowships provide a maximum of NZ$72,500 annually for three years. This is made up of an annual stipend of NZ$50,000, with the balance available to meet the direct costs of the research programme.

    In addition (in years two or three of the Fellowship), Fellows may apply for up to $3,000 for skill development. The Fellow may also apply (during their final four months of tenure) for additional funding (to be matched by a New Zealand employing organisation) to assist them in obtaining full-time employment in a qualifying New Zealand organisation.

    Further details and application forms are available from the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology.


    James Cook Fellowships

    James Cook Research Fellowships, now widely regarded as New Zealand's most prestigious science and technology award, are administered on contract by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

    These fellowships are awarded to "forward thinking" researchers who will make a significant contribution to New Zealand's knowledge base, by allowing them to concentrate on their chosen research for two years.

    James Cook Research Fellowships are awarded as funding permits in the following categories:

    Since 1996, 26 Fellowships have been awarded, with about three per year in recent years.

    Further guidelines, conditions and forms are available from the Royal Society of NZ.


    Claude McCarthy Fellowships

    Claude McCarthy Fellowships are provided from the income from a substantial bequest by the late Claude McCarthy, a New Zealand born and educated man who died in Spain in 1978.

    The object of the fellowships is to enable graduates of any one or more of the Universities of New Zealand to undertake original work or research in literature, science or medicine (interpreted liberally).

    A fellowship may be granted for any one of the following purposes:

    Category A

    Category B

    Category C

    Category D

    Further details and means of application are available from the


    Fulbright Awards

    The Fulbright Foundation offers a number of Awards for New Zealanders, including:

    Fulbright Graduate Student Awards

    New Zealand Fulbright Fellowships

    New Zealand Fulbright Travel Awards

    New Zealand Harkness Fellowship

    Further details and means of application are available from


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    Last updated: 3 September 2002



    Postgraduate research scholarships



    Top Achiever Doctoral Scholarships

    The Top Achiever Doctoral Scholarships scheme was established in 1999 to signal the value of high-level intellectual skills and abilities and their importance to New Zealand's future, to give doctoral scholars the choice of studying in New Zealand or at overseas universities, and to increase the supply of highly trained researchers and highly skilled graduates by supporting the top 10% of doctoral candidates.

    Top Achiever Doctoral Scholarships are available for students enrolled in or applying for a programme of PhD study, and provide support for 36 months of study (usually full-time), at a recognised tertiary education provider either in NZ or overseas.

    Each scholarship includes:

    There are 2 application rounds per year. Applicants need to have a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 7.5 (that is, half way between A- and A, or better) to be eligible for consideration.

    Criteria used for assessing applications for Top Achiever Doctoral Scholarships are:

  • the excellence of the applicant's academic record
  • the excellence of the applicant's research record
  • the excellence of the proposed research project
  • the intellectual support and facilities provided by the Tertiary Education Institution hosting the student applicant.

    Further details and application forms are available from the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology, which administers these scholarships on behalf of the Ministry of Education.


    Enterprise Scholarships

    The Enterprise Scholarships scheme was established in 1999 to signal the value of high-level intellectual skills and abilities and their importance to New Zealand's future, assist in focusing research into areas which are likely to help create the knowledge economy of the future, encourage stronger education/company linkages, and increase the supply of highly trained researchers and highly skilled graduates.

    Enterprise scholarships are available for students undertaking a programme of research and study, which in most cases will be at postgraduate level. The funding for each scholarship must include a contribution from a private company, which is then matched by a Government contribution up to a certain level, giving a recommended annual total stipend of $25,000 for a doctorate, $20,000 for a Masters degree, $15,000 for Honours/Diploma/Certificate, or $6000 for a qualification at level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

    Criteria used for assessing applications for Enterprise Scholarships are:

    There are 4 application rounds per year. Applicants need to have a grade average of B+ or better from their previous studies, however consideration may be given to students with a B or B- average.

    Further details and application forms are available from the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology, which administers these scholarships on behalf of the Ministry of Education.


    Tuapapa Putaiao Maori Fellowships

    The Tuapapa Putaiao Maori Fellowships scheme was established to

    Emphasis is placed on areas of science, engineering or technology where participation by Maori (as evidenced by numbers of Maori graduates) is particularly low. Fellowships are offered for post-graduate degrees in science, engineering and technology disciplines, but exclude Social Sciences, Humanities, and Medical and Health Sciences.

    Tuapapa Putaiao Maori Fellowships provide financial support for PhD candidates at $25,000 per year for up to three years, and/or for Masters candidates at $20,000 per year for up to two years, but not course fees.

    Criteria used for assessing applications for Tuapapa Putaiao Maori Fellowships are:

  • the academic record of the applicant
  • the applicant's potential to be an achieving scientist, technologist, or engineer (and this includes consideration of the scientific and technological merit of the proposed programme of research)
  • development of the applicant's skills and knowledge
  • the host organisation's cultural, intellectual support and facilities available
  • the applicant's demonstration of Maori descent and involvement in their Maori community
  • the extent to which the applicant will create a positive role model as a scientist, technologist, or engineer.

    There is usually just one application round per year.

    Further details and application forms are available from the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology, which administers these scholarships on behalf of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Economic Development.


    UniServices Doctoral Scholarships

    UniServices Doctoral Scholarships were established in 1998 by Auckland UniServices Ltd to foster basic research of strategic importance to the University of Auckland.

    Preference is given to supporting doctoral candidates studying for PhDs in new fields identified by research institutes, centres, units or groups of academic staff within the University.

    Up to three Scholarships may be awarded each year, and each scholarship is tenable for up to three years (subject to satisfactory progress).

    Selection of UniServices Doctoral Scholars is a two stage process: first, a number of fields of research and corresponding research projects are selected from among those submitted by applicant researchers, and in the second stage, the successful research cluster or group which made the application identifies and recommends a suitable candidate based on academic excellence and potential to succeed.

    The annual value of each scholarship awarded is currently $22,500, consisting of a stipend of $18,000, a tuition fees subsidy of $2,500, and a contribution of $2000 towards research costs.

    Further details and application forms are available from the Research Office.


    Claude McCarthy Fellowships

    Information on Claude McCarthy Fellowships for postgraduate research students is listed above under Postdoctoral and other Fellowship schemes: click here.


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    Last updated: 3 September 2002



    Commercial sponsorship of research



    Auckland UniServices Ltd

    The University's subsidiary Auckland UniServices Ltd. is responsible for managing commercially-sponsored research, consulting and technology transfer undertaken by staff of the University of Auckland.

    UniServices Ltd seeks to meet the needs of the community for professional and technology services by matching those needs with the resources available from within the University of Auckland.

    It is also responsible for the commercial intellectual property of the University, by patenting inventions and working to license these or form new business around them.

    Contact UniServices on University extn 5033, or (09) 373 7522.


    Technology New Zealand

    Technology New Zealand is an arm of the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology offering a comprehensive suite of schemes to promote the development and adoption of advanced technologies by business. These schemes include:

    Grants for Private Sector Research Research & Development (GPSRD)

    Technology in Industry Fellowships (TIF)

    Technology for Business Growth (TBG)

    Other/related schemes

    Further details and means of application are available from the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology.

    Important note: All commercially-sponsored research undertaken by staff of the University of Auckland (in the name of the University) must be contracted through Auckland UniServices Ltd.


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    Last updated: 15 March 2004