Research funds
The New Zealand Aid Programme funds both larger-scale strategic research projects as well as smaller grant awards for postgraduate field research.
New Zealand Aid Programme Awards for Postgraduate Field Research
MFAT recognises the importance of investing in postgraduate students as the future development professionals of New Zealand. Field research provides postgraduate students with useful experiences that can help them to develop stronger analytical skills and a grounded understanding of development in practice.
Since 1991 MFAT has made financial contributions towards the field research costs of selected New Zealand students through the Postgraduate Field Research Awards. An internal review in 2011 found these Awards have been highly valued by stakeholders and have helped many students conduct field research, build stronger development skills, and pursue successful careers in the development sector. These findings informed a decision to continue providing postgraduate students Awards for 2012-2014, with some changes to update, streamline and enhance the impacts achieved.
Universities New Zealand manages the administration of these Awards. Please see their website for application information:
Commissioned Strategic Research
In 2012 the New Zealand Aid Programme will establish a new programme of strategic research that will work collaboratively alongside with the programme of strategic evaluations. The new programme will see one or two key pieces of strategic research commissioned annually.
These research projects will contribute to a body of knowledge around key areas of strategic interest that can help inform the direction, objectives and activities of the New Zealand Aid Programme across the medium and long term.
Priority research topics will be identified by MFAT and commissioned annually in accordance with MFAT procurement guidelines. A structured process will be undertaken on an annual basis to identify priority strategic knowledge needs across the New Zealand Aid Programme. This process will help inform and guide the development of multi-year work programmes for strategic research and evaluation. Further information will be provided on these work programmes when available.
In conducting the research, collaboration between NGOs, academics or researchers and the private sector will be encouraged.
Our first piece of strategic research on Sustainable Development in the Pacific and the Role of the New Zealand Private Sector was published by Oxfam New Zealand in March 2013. To read the full report, click here (PDF, 797kb).
For further information on our new programme of strategic research contact research@mfat.govt.nz
International Development Research Fund (IDRF)
From 2006 – 2010 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade made available the International Development Research Fund (IDRF) to support research that was likely to improve development policy and practice.
The fund was open to New Zealand based researchers carrying out research in partnership with researchers from developing countries. Research supported by the fund was chosen for its focus on advancing development policy, practice and outcomes in developing countries, and for its relevance to the New Zealand development community and the region, country or development sector that is the focus of the research.
The IDRF funding scheme finished in 2011, and the research function was replaced by the new Strategic Evaluation and Research Programme. View the completed IDRF Research reports here.
