Reviewing proposals

Reviewers are essential to the Catalyst Fund assessment process. Significant funding decisions will be made based on your assessment. You will grade and comment on a selection of proposals. We aim to match applications to your area of expertise but you will also evaluate proposals from diverse fields of research. All proposals will be reviewed remotely and there is no requirement to attend a meeting in person.

Benefits of reviewing

Serving as a reviewer provides an opportunity for experienced researchers to gain insights into the Catalyst: Leaders and Catalyst: Seeding assessment processes. While reviewers are bound by confidentiality and must not discuss the merits of individual proposals, they can bring knowledge of the processes back to their research communities. The Royal Society Te Apārangi pays an honorarium of $200 per round reviewed. The support of the funding selection process is a valued service to the scientific community. 

Expression of interest (EOI) for Catalyst Fund Reviewers

The Royal Society Te Apārangi maintains a pool of expert reviewers from within Aotearoa New Zealand that can be called upon to evaluate proposals for Catalyst: Leaders and Catalyst: Seeding. For this purpose, the Society is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from experienced researchers/individuals who wish to assist with the assessment of proposals. 

For more detailed information on the review process, please see the Guidelines for Catalyst: Seeding Reviewers and Guidelines for Catalyst: Leaders Reviewers.

To be considered for the currently open Catalyst funding round (Kohi-tātea January call), the EOI must be received by the Society no later than Thursday 1 Paenga-Whāwhā April 2026.

For submissions, related queries or further information, please contact Royal Society Te Apārangi Research Funding (International) team at: International.Applications@royalsociety.org.nz