Pacific Research

In 2022, the TLRI introduced a new opportunity for researchers submitting proposals that focus on supporting success for Pacific learners.

Researchers who are preparing Pacific-focused applications to the TLRI’s Open pathway can choose to have their proposals assessed against a set of Pacific criteria and by Pacific research specialists.

Many of the details of who can apply for this research funding are the same as with the Open pathway. However, there are some important differences detailed below.

At the bottom of this page you can find recent Pacific research funded through the TLRI

On this page:

• Pacific research in the TLRI
• Pacific research application process
• Ngā paearu mō te whiriwhiri │Criteria for selection
• Pacific research

Pacific research in the TLRI

Educational research that focuses on success for Pacific learners as Pacific is a priority for the TLRI. Within the TLRI, Pacific research projects are those that are underpinned by Pacific values, utilise Pacific research methodologies, engage reciprocally with Pacific tamariki/rangatahi and communities, and privilege Pacific worldviews, languages, cultures, pedagogies, and knowledge systems.

Ideally, Pacific-focused projects are led by Pacific researchers. Pacific projects in the TLRI need to show evidence of purposeful and mutually beneficial collaboration with Pacific researchers and communities.

Pacific values are fundamental to and necessarily underpin Pacific research. The importance of these values is specifically acknowledged within the TLRI’s Pacific-focused Open pathway criteria. The values that underpin and inform a Pacific-focused TLRI project should emerge from, respond to, and reflect that project’s unique context, purpose, research team, partnerships, and community or communities of interest.

Pacific research application process

As with the Open pathway, there is a two stage process for applying for funding with the TLRI – the Expression of Interest stage, and the Full Proposal stage.

If applying for Pacific research funding, please use the Pacific-focused Open pathway template for Expressions of Interest, which is provided each year. The TLRI will make a call for Expressions of Interest in Term 1 of each year (approximately February-March).

After a shortlisting process, successful candidates will be invited to submit a Full Proposal – a stage that will be similar to the Open pathway. These Full Proposals are typically due in August.

Ngā paearu huarahi Tuwhera anga ki te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa │Pacific-focused Open pathway criteria

Te hua rautaki me te hua ritenga │Strategic and practice value

These criteria assess the extent to which the proposal:

• addresses an area of strategic importance to Pacific education in Aotearoa New Zealand. For example, as described in relevant national policy documents.
• provides a clear rationale for the project that builds on relevant research.
• has the potential to inform teacher practice, have a positive impact on learning, and lead to improvements in outcomes for Pacific learners and their communities.
• poses a research question(s) that will grow Pacific education knowledge systems and is (are) appropriate for the proposed scope and design of the project.

Te hua rangahau │Research value

These criteria assess the extent to which the proposal has:

• a research design, data collection methods and approach to analysis that are underpinned by Pacific research principles and values and that will address the research question(s) and enable substantive and robust findings.
• a reciprocal partnership in place that has a clear rationale and is consistent with the intent of the TLRI and Pacific values.
• a project team that is led by a principal investigator(s) with relevant experience in leading similar research projects and includes members with appropriate research and practice experience.
• a plan for providing opportunities to build Pacific researcher, research capacity and capability within the team.