Purpose of the Trust

The T. R. Ellett Agricultural Research Trust was established to drive and support the development of people, research, collaboration and innovation that makes farming more effective in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Trust has a strong focus on enhancing the productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability of pastoral farming systems, while supporting thriving rural communities.

Strategic Vision

Agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand is world leading, sustainable (both environmentally and financially), and supports strong rural communities.

Trust Priorities

Applications will be prioritised and assessed based on alignment with the Trust's core values:

-  Developing future leaders in agricultural research

-  Enhancing farming productivity and profitability

-  Improving the environmental sustainability of pastoral farming

-  Supporting rural communities and social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand

Research Focus and Preferences

The Trust has a strong preference for proposals that meet the following criteria:

-  Applied pastoral research that will deliver direct and practical benefits to farmers

-  A focus on pasture, soil, and associated biological processes

-  Clearly articulated and credible pathways to impact, including extension activities that ensure findings are accessible to farmers

-  Strong alignment with the Trust's Vision, Mission, and Core Values

The Trust supports research that is:

-  Applied in nature and contributes to on-farm change or decision-making

-  Well-connected to industry and farmer networks

-  Communicated through channels that reach and engage farmers

The Trust does not fund research for:

-  Commercial gain

-  The development of IP that will lead to commercial product development

-  Research not based in Aotearoa New Zealand

Pathway to Impact

Applications should clearly explain how the research will:

-  Engage farmers or farming communities

-  Be translated or communicated into usable knowledge

-  Be shared through extension activities such as field days, farmer workshops, demonstration trials, articles in industry publications, or digital platforms

-  Deliver practical and measurable outcomes for New Zealand pastoral farming systems

Budget Requirements

Applicants must provide a detailed budget including:

-  Breakdown of staff time (including % FTE or hours allocated)

-  Laboratory or field equipment

-  Consumables

-  Travel (for fieldwork, engagement with farmers, or knowledge exchange)

-  Conference or symposium attendance (if relevant for dissemination)

-  Any co-funding or in-kind support (where applicable)

Budgets should be transparent, realistic and justified in relation to the proposed work.

Timeline

Applicants are to deliver a detailed timeline for the Research Project. This should include:

-  Start of project

-  Expected completion date of Research

-  Milestones

-  Extension of results

-  Any perceived or potential challenges to achieving the timeline

Researcher Development

The Trust also supports proposals that include elements to:

-  Support the career development of emerging researchers and students

-  Foster networks, mentoring or collaboration

-  Encourage communication of findings to a wide range of audiences, including farmers, advisors, and other researchers

Eligibility

Applicants may include:

-  Universities and Public Research Organisations

-  Individual consultants or Industry bodies

-  Independent researchers affiliated with credible institutions

-  Collaborative or multi-institutional teams

Wherever possible, researchers should demonstrate links to end users and evidence of co-development, engagement with or support from the pastoral sector.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

1.  Alignment with the Trust's strategic goals and core values

2.  Relevance and potential impact on pastoral farming systems in Aotearoa New Zealand

3.  Quality and clarity of the research design and objectives

4.  The credibility of the pathway to farmer adoption or industry uptake

5.  Experience and capability of the research team

6.  Value for money and clarity of the budget