Round Four Opening

July 2026

The Board has now confirmed its funding decisions for Round Three. From the 33 applications received, 11 proposals have been selected for funding. We are currently working through negotiations with each organisation, and we look forward to sharing details of the funded projects in the coming weeks. 

As the Board noted, “The overall standard of applications this round was impressive. They were well written and the best ones clearly tracked the process from idea to output with a funding ask proportionate to the project. This made a real difference to the assessment process.”

The fourth funding round will open on 10 August. This is likely to be the Fund’s final formal funding round, with approximately $4 million available, and will prioritise applications led by our equity groups in line with our funding strategy. 

Reflections on Round Three 

What stood out in Round Three

Round Three brought forward a wide range of ideas and a strong sense of commitment from across the sector. The strongest applications shared several features: 

• A clear and well‑evidenced workforce need, supported by relevant data or insights. 

• A coherent plan for addressing that need, with the right people and partnerships in place to deliver. 

• Detailed and realistic project planning, including milestones, risk management, and a clear picture of how the intended workforce would benefit. 

• Transparent budgets, with costs directly linked to deliverables and supported by current financial information. 

These applications also demonstrated genuine, early‑stage integration of Māori, Pacific, and Disabled workers, rather than adding this focus later in the process. 

Where applications can be strengthened

Some common themes emerged in applications that were not progressed; 

• With ambitious scope without sufficient detail, large funding requests were not always matched by developed project plans, needs analyses, or evidence of the workforce problem being addressed. 

• Limited budget transparency, including high personnel or governance costs that were difficult to assess, outdated financial statements, or unclear links between costs and proposed work. 

• Reliance on sector uptake without demonstrated relationships, several proposals assumed strong engagement but did not show that buy‑in was already in place. 

• Duplication of existing work, without a clear case for added value. 

• For proposals involving AI or digital tools, the panel looked closely at long‑term sustainability, data sovereignty, and whether the technology was the right fit for the workforce. 

Round Four Opening 10 August 2026

Round Four will run from 10 August to 7 September 2026. With approximately $4 million available for this round, the Fund continues to support initiatives that strengthen Aotearoa’s care and support workforces. 

This is expected to be the Fund's final formal funding round. In line with our funding strategy, and in direct response to our evaluation findings, Round Four will actively prioritise: 

• Māori-led initiatives 

• Pacific-led initiatives 

• Disabled people-led initiatives 

Such initiatives remain a funding priority because Māori-led, Pacific-led, and Disabled people-led organisations hold the expertise, relationships and potential solutions to some of our most pressing workforce challenges. 

Thinking about applying

All applicants are required to speak with the Executive Officer before applying. If you have questions or would like to discuss a potential application, please get in touch at admin@workforcefuturesfund.nz.

Reaching out early helps ensure your time and energy are well spent and gives your application the strongest possible start. 

We warmly encourage organisations working in these spaces, including those who have applied in previous rounds to bring their mahi forward. Everyone is welcome to contact the EO to discuss alignment with our funding strategy and the strength of a potential application.