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 initiative has funded 192 projects to date (March 2025). The findings of all completed projects and details of research in progress 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 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.


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.

Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships

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.

TLRI focuses on individuals in research teams using their collective expertise, and on all team members having the opportunity to learn from each other.

Practitioners include, but are not limited to:

teachers and kaiako in early childhood education (ECE), kōhanga reo, and Pacific language nests
teachers and kaiako in kura Māori, primary, intermediate, secondary, and area schools
lecturers and tutors in universities, wānanga, polytechnics, and private training establishments

Students and ākonga; families and whānau; hapū, iwi, and communities may also be part of the research partnership.

In these partnerships, practitioners might take the role of advisors, data gatherers, informants, etc. and not necessarily be integral to all aspects of the thinking inside the partnership.

The TLRI is open to researchers working in organisations (e.g. universities or other tertiary institutions) or independently. The TLRI will not enter into contracts with individuals, requiring that contracts are with legal entities. Staff of the Ministry of Education or other government departments are not eligible to apply.