On this page are some of the Frequently asked questions regarding AARIA co-funding proposals. If the answer to your question cannot be found here, or on our 'How to apply' page, please contact Dr Marvin Hao Wu – research@ako.ac.nz

Are overheads based on the Ako Aotearoa contribution or the total budget? 

• Overheads are based on the Ako Aotearoa contribution only. Maximum 20% of overheads is accepted. 

Is co-funding always required? 

• Whilst it is not compulsory to secure co-funding, it is strongly encouraged to do so. It is one of the selection criteria for project applications and forms part of the applications scoring matrix. Co-funding can be in kind, e.g. staff salaries, time contributions, overheads, and does not always need to be a financial / cash contribution. 

What is dissemination? 

• Dissemination is the promotion of the project and its outputs to the sector after the project has been completed. Ako Aotearoa wants to make sure that your project findings and any recommendations for change or tools to support change that have been developed as part of your project are shared as widely as possible. Dissemination could include journal publications, conference presentations, book publications, video productions, open access fees, printed tools such as coffee cards, posters etc. 

Do all projects need to be action research-based? 

• Whilst the project does not have to be based on action research it is strongly encouraged and forms part of the selection criteria. We are looking for projects that focus on change in the sector. 

Does the applicant need to be an Aotearoa New Zealand citizen or resident? 

• Yes, the primary applicant must be an Aotearoa New Zealand citizen or resident employed at an Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary education organisation.  

Can a project cover more than one of the targeted priorities? 

• Yes, we strongly encourage projects that meet more than one of our targeted priorities.

What kind of collaborations will you consider? 

• Any kind of collaboration is strongly encouraged especially cross-sector and cross-organisation and we particularly support new collaborations. Collaborations with organisations that are not part of the tertiary education sector are possible and encouraged as long as the primary application is from a tertiary education organisation.

Will you consider Trans-Tasman/international collaboration? 

• Yes, we would consider projects that incorporate Trans-Tasman/international collaboration as long as the primary applicant is employed at an Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary education organisation and the focus of the project is the tertiary education sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Can an NGO or compulsory education provider apply for funding? 

• Ako Aotearoa funding is only available to organisations in the tertiary education sector of Aotearoa New Zealand as defined on the Tertiary Education Commission’s website (list here). 

Can I apply for funding again if I have already had an unsuccessful application? 

• Yes, we accept new proposals from applicants that have previously been unsuccessful in securing AARIA funding with a new / updated project proposal. We may also approach you to develop a new project from your unsuccessful application for the commissioned round of funding which happens in the second half of the year.

What is the success rate for this fund? 

• The number of projects successfully funded works out to be approximately 10% of those applications received.

Does the project need to be based on existing knowledge or can it be new work?

• Project applications need to be new work. However, these can build on existing projects or existing knowledge, either previous Ako Aotearoa projects or other research projects or publications. Please see our Knowledge Centre to review our existing projects. 

What is the submission process? 

• Please see the details on our website for the Key Dates and information on how to apply. 

I am not sure if my project idea is eligible for funding, what can I do to check? 

• Please email a draft or summary of your project idea to Dr Marvin Hao Wu (research@ako.ac.nz) who will provide feedback and suggestions.  

What are the timeframes for decisions on applications and projects starting? 

• The deadline for full proposal submission in the contestable round is mid-June. We would expect to have a decision on the projects we will be funding by the end of October. We would expect projects to start in November.

What kind of projects have been funded previously? 

• See details of 2024 co-funded AARIA Projects
• See details of 2023 co-funded AARIA Projects
• See details of 2022 co-funded AARIA Projects