Applying to the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change programme

Types of SLMACC Projects

The 2022 SLMACC funding round has 2 funding pathways – grants and collaboration.

Note that the criteria relating to the amount of funding being sought and the length of time required to complete a project are guidelines only. For example, a grant seeking $270,000 for an 18-month project would not automatically be disqualified.

Grants pathway

The grants pathway will support shorter projects with a lower level of complexity. 2022 applications will be a single-step process, as in prior funding years.

• Co-design is optional.
• Work programme is relatively straightforward (for example, one workstream, milestone-based).
• Can generally be completed within one year.
• Requires less funding (up to $250,000 in total).

Grants pathway application timeline

• Fund open for applications: 23 May to 15 July.
• Assessment: ends 12 August.
• Approval and contracting: by end of September.

Note: Dates are subject to change.

Collaboration pathway

The collaboration pathway is for longer-term projects co-designed by 2 or more applicant groups. Projects must show co-development between researchers from various organisations and disciplines. It could also be between researchers and end-users to achieve outcomes that continue beyond the life of the project.

• Must evidence co-design.
• Typically, will have a higher level of complexity than a grant (for example, 2 or more interdependent work streams).
• May take 2 to 5 years to complete.
• Require more funding (for example, up to $300,000 per year).

Due to the additional time required to develop collaborative projects, 2022 collaboration pathway applications will be a 2-step process:

1. Collaboration applicants will submit a brief concept paper.
2. Applications may be invited to submit a full proposal.

Collaboration pathway application timeline

• Fund open for concepts: 23 May to 15 July.
• Concepts review: ends 12 August.
• Development of full proposals by invitation: 15 August to 23 September.
• Assessment: 26 September to 14 October.
• Approval and contracting: by end of November.

Note: Dates are subject to change.

What to include in your grant application or collaboration concept

Both grant applications and collaboration concepts should:

• reflect the priorities in the 2022 SLMACC priorities paper and the principals and thematic areas identified in the SLMACC investment plan 2022-2027
• identify the project’s benefits and outcomes, and describe how these will be measured
• clearly describe the scientific methodology of the proposed work
• consider Māori aspirations and opportunities, where applicable.

The relevant application form will guide you on how much information to provide.

Collaboration concepts should also outline co-development undertaken to date and explain what further co-development would be done at the full proposal stage. 

Grant applications should also:

• describe how the project will be successfully delivered, including a plan for extension of research
• include a realistic and appropriate budget (with a breakdown including milestones, consideration of any subcontracting required, cost of open access journal publication where applicable, and the budget for each stage of the work)
• consider key risks.

Assessment criteria

Applications are assessed against 6 criteria to decide whether they qualify for funding, and how much they may receive.

1. Impact: Assuming this project is successful, what will this project achieve? We'll look for:

• specific, measurable, and achievable objectives
• robust extension and communication activities
• evidence of collaboration.

2. Alignment to fund objectives and wider government goals: How will the project deliver helping the primary industries use land more sustainably, meet environmental targets, and remain prosperous? We'll look for alignment to:

• fund priorities and outcomes and impacts
• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) outcomes, and broader government and sector goals.

3. Science excellence: Will the research demonstrate scientific excellence and build or retain capabilities for the benefit of New Zealand? To assess science capability, we'll look at:

• new knowledge the project will generate
• fit-for-purpose research methods and methodology.

4. Ability to deliver outcomes: Ability to deliver research and extension of the outputs. What is the likelihood the team will achieve their proposed research outputs and deliver effective extension? We'll look at the:

• track record of the team, including experience with collaborations, extension, and driving uptake.
• project management and support
• project and extension plans.

5. Practicality: Risk management and success factors. Is the proposed outcome practical for farmer, policy, or decision support tool uptake? We'll look at the:

• track record in delivering contributions to climate change goals
• plan to address any barriers to adoption (like ethical considerations, intellectual property, understanding of regulatory pathways)
• pathway to research use to achieve uptake and capture benefits.

6. Value for money: Outcome costs and benefits (economic, social, or environmental contribution to SLMACC programme goals). Assuming this project is successful, what is the value of the outcomes of the project? We'll look for:

• assessment of the opportunity and potential impacts
• contribution to SLMACC programme goals, including likelihood of adoption and implementation
• realistic and appropriate budget
• co-benefits such as providing opportunities to increase capability in partner organisations.

We encourage collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including but not limited to:

• local government
• Māori entities
• commercial entities
• industry groups
• farmers.

Applications are assessed by a panel made up of government and sector experts. Final decisions are made by MPI. All applicants will be notified whether their proposal is successful.

Your application is confidential. However, we may share your application with experts in MPI and other government departments to get their feedback.

Who to contact

If you have questions about applying to SLMACC, email funding@mpi.govt.nz