Hon Dr Shane Reti
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology

Research Funding New Zealand will bring together leading science, innovation and technology experts to invest in research that delivers real-world benefits for New Zealanders, says Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti.

Dr Reti has announced the inaugural Research Funding NZ Board, established to streamline research funding and provide independent, strategic investment decisions that support economic growth.

“For too long, New Zealand’s research funding system has been fragmented and overly complex, creating unnecessary red tape and diluting impact,” says Dr Reti.

“Research Funding NZ fixes the basics by replacing multiple decision-makers with a single, independent board. This will create a simpler, more coherent funding system while strengthening our focus on excellent research with real-world outcomes.”

The Board brings together some of New Zealand’s most accomplished science and innovation leaders, with experience across the Marsden Fund, MBIE Science Board, Health Research Council, and international funding bodies in Australia, Singapore and Europe.

The Research Funding NZ Board members are:

• Dr Emma Blott (Chair)
• Professor Aidan Byrne
• Professor Amanda Barnard
• Professor Brett Cowan
• Professor Dianne Gleeson
• Dr Meika Foster
• Distinguished Professor Sir Peter Hunter
• Dr Sue Bidrose

Research Funding NZ will replace most existing research funding decision-makers, including the Marsden Fund Council, the Science Board, some MBIE functions and the Health Research Council.

The transition will be phased to ensure continuity and minimise disruption. The Marsden Fund and Endeavour Fund will be among the first to move under the new structure, with Research Funding NZ making decisions for upcoming funding rounds. All current research contracts will continue.

“Government investment across the full spectrum of science, from blue-sky research to applied and commercial innovation, will help grow the economy and improve health and wellbeing,” says Dr Reti.

“By fixing the basics of our funding system, we are building a stronger future for science, innovation and the researchers whose work improves our economy, health and resilience.”

Notes:

Board members of Research Funding New Zealand are:

• Dr Emma Blott (Chair): Senior executive in commercial science and innovation, with board experience in agriculture and technology. PhD in Clinical Biochemistry, with previous domestic and international leadership roles at Livestock Improvement Corporation and Fonterra.
• Professor Aidan Byrne: Physicist and senior academic leader, Chair of the MBIE Science Board and former CEO of the Australian Research Council with deep expertise in research governance and science policy.
• Professor Amanda Barnard: Internationally recognised computational scientist, pioneering nanotechnology and AI for biotech. Senior leadership at the Australian National University (ANU) and Australia's national science agency CSIRO, with global research strategy and governance experience.
• Professor Brett Cowan: Clinical health sciences and biomedical engineering leader, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), board member of the Health Research Council, and previously Chief Scientist at PHF Science (formerly ESR), with expertise in research commercialisation, infrastructure, and translational innovation.
• Professor Dianne Gleeson: Professor of Ecological Genetics at the University of Canberra and Director of the National eDNA Reference Centre and an expert in molecular tools for biodiversity and biosecurity, with extensive research leadership in Australia and New Zealand.
• Dr Meika Foster: Nutrition scientist and entrepreneur, director of Edible Research, bridging science, law and mātauranga Māori for sustainable food innovation and research impact.
• Distinguished Professor Sir Peter Hunter: Distinguished bioengineer, founding director of Auckland Bioengineering Institute, global leader in computational physiology, and former Chair of the Marsden Fund Council.
• Dr Sue Bidrose: Experienced science and public sector leader, former CEO of AgResearch and Dunedin City Council, with deep expertise in governance and stakeholder management.

Full bios for Research Funding NZ board members are available on the MBIE website: mbie.govt.nz/biographical-information-rfnz-board-members

Visit the MBIE website for more information on how Research Funding NZ fits into the new science system: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/a-new-funding-strategy-for-the-science-system

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