Round Three Update
April 2026
Round Three of the Workforce Futures Fund | Tahua Rāngaimahi Anamata closed on 31 March, with 33 applications received seeking just under $25 million in funding. Applications came from across the eight eligible workforces and reflect strong demand for initiatives that strengthen workforce capability, wellbeing, and long‑term system impact.
All eligible applications will now move through the Fund’s assessment process. The Grants Assessment Panel, with representatives from each workforce, will review proposals before making recommendations to the Board for final decisions. Applicants will be notified of outcomes by the end of July 2026, and details of funded projects will be published once all applicants have been informed.
Interest in the Fund remains strong. Round One received 31 applications, with six initiatives funded at a total of $3.2 million. Round Two received 23 applications seeking around $20 million, with five initiatives funded at $1.8 million. Across the first two rounds, $5 million has been distributed, with approximately $10 million remaining to be granted over the next two years.
Executive Officer Anika Speedy says the Fund’s relational approach continues to support applicants to strengthen the quality and alignment of their proposals. Early conversations help organisations test their ideas, understand the Fund’s priorities, and determine whether the kaupapa is a good fit before investing significant time in a full application.
As part of this approach, all potential applicants were required to speak with the Fund team prior to submitting an application. A webinar was also held to provide guidance, share examples of successful proposals, and answer questions from interested organisations.
Feedback from applicants highlights the value of this early engagement. One applicant noted: “Having the Zoom prior to application was very helpful… the one‑on‑one session was also important and helpful too. I also appreciated seeing the applications that were successful in previous rounds.” Another shared: “Meeting the OE was really powerful in providing us a stronger understanding of the fund and the application process.”
More than 70 organisations engaged with the Fund during this phase, reflecting the breadth of impactful mahi underway across communities. The applications received demonstrate a strong commitment to community wellbeing and bring forward innovative approaches to workforce development with potential for wider sharing and large‑scale impact with Several proposals reflect emerging national‑scale solutions.
We are also seeing strong alignment with the Fund’s priority to positively impact Māori, Pacific, and Disabled workers, with many applications explicitly targeting these groups across multiple sectors.
Demand remains high, with high‑quality applications continuing to come through in Round Three.
Organisations can register to receive updates on Round Three and furture rounds including sector insights here.