2026 Endeavour Fund extensions supporting Bioeconomy Science Institute research

Six Bioeconomy Science Institute Endeavour Fund Research Programmes and six Smart Idea Endeavour contracts have secured 12‑month funding extensions, with a total value of $17.63 million, enabling high‑impact research to continue through 2026.

The extensions were announced on 23 April, as part of a broader decision to redirect the 2026 Endeavour Fund allocation to existing eligible contracts. In total, 64 high‑performing Endeavour Fund projects nationwide will receive extensions, following the pause of the 2026 contestable funding round during reforms to the science, innovation, and technology system.

MBIE Manager of Contestable Investments Dr Alan Coulson said the decision reflects the strong progress and proven impact of these projects. “Redirecting the 2026 funding allocation to existing contracts will allow a group of strong, high‑impact projects to continue their work and maximise the benefits they deliver.”

The Bioeconomy Science Institute‑led contracts span emerging bioeconomy technologies, environmental sustainability, and low‑emissions systems, and demonstrate the value of sustained investment in established research teams.

2026 Endeavour Research Programme extensions

The original contract start and end dates were: 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2026. The new dates are: 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.

• Extreme wildfire: Our new reality – are we ready?
• Moving the middle: empowering land managers to act in complex rural landscapes
• Seeing the forest for the trees: transforming tree phenotyping for future forests
• Te Weu o te Kaitiaki – Indigenous regeneration pathways
• The Flowering Crisis: Confronting a changing climate’s threat to NZ’s tree crops
• Vive la résistance – achieving long-term success in managing wilding conifer invasions