Overview of the application and assessment process
Information on our annual funding round process, at a glance
The Marsden Fund supports excellent investigator-led research in New Zealand. The Fund does not provide fellowships but rather delivers grants for discrete projects for researchers employed at universities, Crown Research Institutes, private research organisations or as private individuals. Proposals are assessed primarily on merit and the potential of the research to contribute to the advancement of knowledge, as detailed in the Terms of Reference for the Marsden Fund.
The call for applications is made annually in December and the initial closing date for applications is late February.
Two categories of grants are available:
- Fast-Start grants come from a special pool of funds set aside for emerging researchers (up to seven years after the conferment of their PhD). Funding is set at NZ$120,000 (excluding GST) per year for three years. There is a two-stage application process.
- Standard grants are open to established researchers as well as emerging researchers. Funding is for three years and the amount of funding is flexible, depending on the research discipline and project needs. There is a two-stage application process.
The Marsden Fund Council Award grant category is not available for the 2026 funding round.
Fast-Start and Standard applications are assessed simultaneously and closing dates are the same (see the funding round timetable).
Fast-Start and Standard proposals are reviewed in a two-stage process:
- The Expression of Interest round is open to all eligible New Zealand-based researchers.
- Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal.