The Fund

The Marsden Fund

The Marsden Fund was set up to support excellence in research and researchers.

The fund’s objectives:

• to enhance the underpinning research knowledge base in New Zealand, and contribute to the global advancement of knowledge
• to broaden and deepen the research skill base in New Zealand
• to undertake research that is investigator driven.

In 1994 the Government announced a major new initiative in the Budget to support research which was not subject to the socio-economic criteria set for the Public Good Science Fund (PGSF).

This "Basic Science Fund", as it was known first, is now known as the Marsden Fund after Sir Ernest Marsden, the founding secretary of the DSIR in 1926.

On December 1, 1995, the administration of the Marsden Fund transferred to the Royal Society of New Zealand from the Foundation of Research, Science and Technology (FRST).

In 2006/2007, the Marsden Fund has $38.2 million available to support qualifying research in any field. Applications are assessed by panels of experts in the following groupings: biomedical sciences; cellular, molecular and physiological biology; ecology, evolution and behaviour; earth sciences and astronomy; physical sciences and engineering; mathematical and information sciences; social sciences; and the humanities.

• Sir Ernest Marsden Biography

The Marsden Fund Council and Panels

Terms of Reference

Policy Manual