On Tuesday 14 October, the Government announced changes to the science funding system.

Following recommendations from the Science System Advisory Group, a single, independent board, called Research Funding New Zealand, will be established to make most funding decisions.

Under the new model, public investment in science will be focused on the economy, the environment, health and society, and technology.

The Endeavour, Marsden and Strategic Science Investment Funds will transition to Research Funding New Zealand.

An in-principle decision has also been made to transfer health research funding from the Health Research Council (HRC) to Research Funding New Zealand, with existing funding continuing be invested in critical health research.

This decision requires a legislative and operational transition plan, outlining how the system will meet the existing statutory and operational functions of the HRC.

Key information for health researchers and host organisations:

• There are no immediate changes as a result of this decision.
• All current research contracts will continue.
• The Government has advised that the transition to Research Funding New Zealand will be phased carefully over four years.
• The HRC will work with MBIE and MoH to understand the details and timeframe.
• We will provide an update when we have further details and will keep you informed as this work progresses.

You can read the full announcement here and there is more information on the reforms on the MBIE website here.

MBIE held a webinar on the changes to the science funding system on Wednesday 15 October which can be viewed here.

The HRC is now seeking to appoint a new member to the HRC Ethics Committee for a two to three-year term.

The Health Research Council's Ethics Committee (HRCEC) is a statutory committee set out in sections 24-26 of the Health Research Council Act 1990. HRCEC members are appointed by the Health Research Council (HRC).

HRCEC approves, monitors and reviews research ethics committees around New Zealand including Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDECs) and Institutional Research Ethics Committees (IRECs). HRCEC also provides advice on ethical issues in health research and the ethics review process, hears complaints and appeals, and issues independent comments and guidelines. HRCEC meets officially five times each year and is supported by a secretariat provided by the HRC.

In appointing new members, HRC has regard to the need for a diversity of knowledge and experience in relation to ethics, philosophy, law, theology, nursing, women’s health, patient advocacy, and tikanga Māori. To augment existing knowledge and experience on the HRCEC, HRC is seeking nominees with experience across one or more of these fields, including but not limited to research ethics and/or tikanga Māori.

We are asking our stakeholders to nominate colleagues who may be suitable for consideration of this appointment and be willing to take on this additional responsibility (in consultation with them and with their approval). Self-nominations are also welcome.

Please note that not all nominees will be appointed due to the limited number of positions available. The HRC will discuss nominees in November/December 2025 and put forward final recommendations to Council for final approval. To nominate or self-nominate, please email ethicsinfo@hrc.govt.nz with nominees’ names, contact details, and CV (or link to a CV) by 1pm on Monday 10 November 2025.