To help researchers applying for the 2027 Project and Programme funding rounds, we are holding a webinar on Wednesday 1 July from 12noon to 12.45pm. This webinar will include information on the updates that we have made to the application guidelines for this funding round and answer questions that you might have about the process.

You can register for the webinar here. The webinar recording will be available online as soon as possible.

We've made some important changes to the application and assessment processes for our 2027 Project Grant and Programme Grant funding round. To ensure the number of applications being assessed is appropriate given the amount of funding available and the resource-intensive nature of high-quality scientific evaluation, we have made the following changes:

• (NEW) 2027 Project Grants eligibility

An individual researcher cannot apply as first named investigator (FNI) or co-FNI for a 2027 Project Grant, if they are the current FNI or co-FNI on a Project or Programme Grant awarded in the past two HRC funding rounds.

This means both the FNI and co-FNI must not be the current FNI or co-FNI on any grant awarded in the following rounds:

• 2024 Health Delivery Projects
• 2025 Health Delivery Projects
• 2025 Project (including General, Rangahau Hauora Māori and Pacific Health Projects)
• 2026 Project (including General, Rangahau Hauora Māori and Pacific Health Projects)
• 2025 Programme (including General and Rangahau Hauora Māori Programmes)
• 2026 Programme (including General and Rangahau Hauora Māori Programmes

Please note: If a researcher currently holds another type of HRC grant (e.g. career development awards, Explorer Grants) this does not affect their eligibility to apply for a 2027 Project Grant.

So long as they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the guidelines, researchers can submit a proposal to both the 2027 Programme and Project rounds as FNI or co-FNI as has been the case in previous years. The changes do not affect named investigators.

• (NEW) 2027 Programme Grants EOI stage

The 2027 Programme applications will be processed through two stages, an Expression of Interest (EOI) application and a Full application. From the pool of EOI applicants, a smaller group will be invited to submit the longer, more detailed Full application. We will be opening the 2027 Programme Grant funding round earlier than usual, to allow time for Programme EOI assessment.

The Programme EOI stage involves preparing a short application on your proposed research that addresses the key expectations for HRC Programme Grants. A selection of Programme EOI applicants will be invited to progress to the Full stage.

The Full stage programme application form and assessment process are similar to previous years.

• Reintroduction of external peer review – both 2027 Projects and Programmes

External peer review and applicant rebuttal is reintroduced for the 2027 Programme Grants and the 2027 Project Grants, after being paused for the 2026 rounds. Assessment of all Full stage applications will include external peer review and applicant rebuttal.

Full details will be available in the Expression of Interest application guidelines for these funding rounds, which we plan to publish here on HRC Gateway on Thursday 2 July 2026. We strongly recommend that all applicants read the guidelines carefully and take note of all important dates and requirements.

We are pleased to confirm that the HRC's 2027 Project and Programme funding rounds will both open on Thursday 9 July at 1pm.

2027 Project Grants

The following opportunities will be available in this round: General Project Grants; Rangahau Hauora Māori Project Grants; and Pacific Project Grants

• Open date: 1pm, 9 July 2026
• Application creation due date: 1pm, 23 July 2026
• Expression of Interest (EOI) application due date: 1pm, 6 August 2026
• Anticipated EOI outcome notification: 15 October 2026
• Anticipated full stage open date: 15 October 2026
• Invited full application due date: 1pm, 19 November 2026
• Outcomes: May 2027

2027 Programme Grants

The following opportunities will be available in this round: General Programme Grants; and Rangahau Hauora Māori Programme Grants

• Open date: 1pm, 9 July 2026
• Expression of Interest (EOI) application due date: 1pm, 6 August 2026 (NEW)
• Anticipated EOI outcome notification: 3 September 2026 (NEW)
• Anticipated full stage open date: 3 September 2026
• Invited full application due date: 1pm, 29 October 2026
• Outcomes: May 2027

The Government has now published the Science Investment Plan that sets the long-term direction for public science investment in New Zealand over the next 10 years, including health research.

Future investment will focus on four priority areas known as pillars:

• Primary industries and bioeconomy
• Technology for prosperity
• Environmental sustainability and resilience
• Healthy people and a thriving society.

Changes will be gradually introduced from 2026/2027. As per the Letter of Expectations that we have received from our Ministers, the Health Research Council is required to align our investments with the Science Investment Plan.

More details will be provided in Pillar Investment Plans being developed by Research Funding New Zealand, drawing on the expertise and networks of Pillar Advisory groups. Pillar Investment Plans will be approved by the Science, Innovation and Technology Minister and are expected in September this year.

You can read the Science Investment Plan on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's website.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) online portal is now open for applications for the Catalyst Strategic: New Zealand–China Strategic Research Alliance 2026 funding round.

MBIE will fund new joint research projects between New Zealand and China in the areas of environmental technologies, and health and biomedical science. Up to $330,000 over three years is available from the Catalyst Fund to support six projects, with projects expected to start in June 2027.

The Health Research Council (HRC) has previously been responsible for administering the portion of this programme that focused on biomedical research. MBIE will be administering the 2026 round onwards.

Further information on the fund, eligibility, application process and call for proposals can be found here.