Aims of the GHGIR Fund

The GHGIR Fund supports research to improve:

• the Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Inventory
• reporting of emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land use.

This research informs policy decisions and helps the agriculture and forestry sectors manage their greenhouse gas emissions. It includes:

• reviewing and updating how we calculate emissions from items that are currently in the inventory
• new research to calculate emissions from additional sources, or to account for new forms of mitigation
• research to support policymakers
• helping the farming and forestry sectors to better manage their greenhouse gas emissions.

The GHGIR Fund has annual funding of $1.7 million. $450,000 of funding is still available in the 2020/21 financial year. Over $1.4 million is available in subsequent years.

Find out about greenhouse gas reporting

Types of research funded

The fund supports research across 7 priorities:

• data
• modelling
• nitrous oxide
• sequestration
• reviews and updates of existing inventory items
• projections and targets
• policy-driven research.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research Fund 2020 priorities [PDF, 503 KB]

How to apply for GHGIR funding

Applications for 2020 were open from 10 July to 7 August.

To request an application form for the GHGIR Fund, email funding@mpi.govt.nz

Applications are assessed by a panel made up of government and industry experts. Final decisions are made by the Ministry for Primary Industries. By late September, all applicants will be notified whether their proposals were successful.

Successful applicants will then finalise their project milestones and sign GHGIR funding contracts. Projects can begin as early as mid-December.

Eligibility criteria for GHGIR projects

Projects must:

• be aligned with at least one of the priorities listed above under "types of research funded"
• not duplicate work from other government-funded projects.

How we assess applications

Applications are assessed against 7 criteria to determine how well they qualify for funding, and how much they may receive. These criteria are:

• alignment to the needs of agriculture, forestry, and other land-use emissions reporting
• value for money
• ability to deliver outcomes
• alignment to research priorities
• impact
• practicality
• science excellence.

We encourage collaboration between multiple research organisations.

What to include in your application

Applications should:

• clearly describe the scientific methodology of the proposed work
• consider key risks
• identify the project's benefits and outcomes, and describe how these will be measured
• describe how the project will be successfully delivered
• consider Māori aspirations and opportunities, where applicable
• include a realistic and appropriate budget (with a breakdown including milestones, and the budget for each stage of the work)
• include a well-considered project plan.

To assess your application, we need robust information and as much evidence as possible.

Who to contact

If you have questions about the GHGIR Fund, email funding@mpi.govt.nz