Mō TLRI | About TLRI
The Teaching and Learning Research Initiative: Nāu i Whatu Te Kākahu, He Tāniko Tāku (TLRI) seeks to support research addressing themes of strategic importance to education in Aotearoa New Zealand that will lead to an improvement in outcomes for learners. Partnerships between researchers and practitioners are central to the TLRI.
The TLRI was established by the government in 2003, and provides annual funding of up to $1,555,556 (excluding GST) for research projects of up to 3 years duration, that meet its criteria. The TLRI has funded 181 projects to date (February 2024), the findings are available at the Ngā Rangahau | Research section of this site.
Since the fund’s inception, Rangahau Mātauranga o Aotearoa | New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) has coordinated the fund on behalf of the Ministry of Education. A TLRI Advisory Board is convened by the Ministry of Education.
Aims of the TLRI
The TLRI aims to:
- build a cumulative body of knowledge linking teaching and learning
- enhance the links between educational research and teaching practices (and between researchers and teachers) across early childhood education (ECE), school, and tertiary sectors
- grow research capability and capacity in the areas of teaching and learning.
Every year the TLRI outlines key priorities it aims to support through educational research funding.
Funding Pathways
The TLRI has two pathways for funding: Whatua Tū Aka (for kaupapa Māori research) and the Open Pathway (for all other research).
Within the Open Pathway applicants can choose to have their proposals assessed by the Open criteria or Pacific-focussed criteria.
 | Whatua Tū Aka for kaupapa Māori research. |
 | Open Pathway for all other research. |
 | Pacific Research focused on Pacific values, methodologies and knowledge systems within the Open Pathway. |
Applications for funding typically open in Term 1 of each school year (March), closing in Term 2 (May) for the Pacific and Open pathway and Term 3 (August) for the Whatua Tū Aka pathway.
See our Ngā Pūtea | Funding section for information on making an application.
Partnership in TLRI projects
Partnerships between researchers and educational practitioners are essential to the TLRI’s goals. This grows research capability and capacity, establishing a reciprocal process that:
- Builds the capability of researchers to undertake quality research, through engaging in high-quality projects and working with other researchers with varied levels of experience.
- Enables teachers to gain expertise in systematic enquiry, as they engage as active members of a research team.
- Builds the capability of teachers to improve their teaching practice by learning from the findings of research
- Deepens researchers’ understanding of teaching and learning by engaging with teachers.
