Marsden grants are the main form of contestable funding for fundamental, 'blue skies' research in New Zealand. Grants are made in all areas of research, in both science and the humanities. The grants are made from the Marsden Fund, which was established by the New Zealand Government in 1994. The Fund is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Most of the grants go to researchers at New Zealand universities, but some go to researchers at Crown Research Institutes and elsewhere.[1][2][3]

The first Marsden grants were awarded in 1995, when NZ$10.2 million (excluding GST) was shared between 51 successful projects. In 2001, the Fast Start category was introduced specifically for Early Career Researchers (within 7 years of completing their PhD). By 2018, the size of the Marsden Fund had grown to NZ$85.6 million and 136 grants were made.[4] These included 53 Fast Start grants and 83 Standard grants.[4] The 2018 round also introduced a new category of grant, the Marsden Fund Council Award.[5] These larger grants are focused on interdisciplinary research; however, there were no successful applications in the initial round.

The Marsden granting process is highly competitive, with over 1,000 applications per year and success rates that often hover around 10%. Proposals are assessed primarily on the potential of the research to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.[6] In the 2018 funding round, the success rate was 11.2% for Standard grants and 14.8% for Fast Start grants.[4] Because of this intense competition, winning a Marsden grant is regarded as a hallmark of research excellence in New Zealand.[1]

Successful proposals are selected by the Marsden Fund Council.[7] In 2022 there were 113 research projects funded nationally.[8]

The grants are named after English-New Zealand physicist Ernest Marsden (1889–1970).[1]

Marsden Fund Council

The Marsden Fund Council are appointed by the New Zealand Minister for Research, Science and Innovation. In 2022 the council was made up of the following people who convene different panels: Professor Gillian Dobbie (Chair), Professor Jacqueline Beggs, Professor Penny Brothers, Professor Colin Brown, Professor Kathleen Campbell, Distinguished Professor Geoff Chase, Dr Richard Newcomb, Professor Chellie Spiller, Distinguished Professor Paul Spoonley and Professor Cynthia White.[7]

Budget Allocations

Allocated spending for the Marsden grant by year
YearFunding, Millions NZD
2022 almost 78[8]
2020 79[9]
2019 79[10]
2018 71[11]
2017 64
2016 58
2015 54
2014 52
2013 52
2012 47
2011 47
2010 47

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Royal Society Te Apārangi – Background to the Marsden Fund". royalsociety.org.nz.
  2. ↑ https://royalsociety.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Marsden-Fund-Investment-Plan.pdf
  3. ↑ @Jamienzherald, Jamie Morton Science Reporter, NZ Herald jamie morton@nzherald co nz (1 October 2015). "Marsden Fund comes under the microscope" – via www.nzherald.co.nz.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. 1 2 3 "Royal Society Te Apārangi - New Marsden Fund grants support innovative research in Aotearoa from atoms to Antarctica's microbes". royalsociety.org.nz. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "Royal Society Te Apārangi - 2019 Marsden Fund Council Award guidelines for applicants". royalsociety.org.nz. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  6. ↑ "Royal Society Te Apārangi - Terms of Reference for the Marsden Fund". royalsociety.org.nz. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Marsden Fund Council". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  8. 1 2 Board, Otago Bulletin. "Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund grants recipients for 2022". University of Otago. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ https://treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2019-05/est19-v1-buscin.pdf
  11. ↑ https://treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-05/est18-v1-buscin.pdf


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