Conversation
COVID-19 also highlighted the many innovative practices already happening in Pacific communities to ensure Pacific learners and families are engaged, safe and well in education.
To recognise and support these innovative practices, the Pacific Education Innovation Fund will support educators, places of learning, community groups and providers to meet the wellbeing and curriculum needs of their Pacific learners that are emerging from COVID-19.
The purpose of the Innovation Fund is support the delivery of creative, collaborative and innovative practices and programmes across education that supports Pacific learners to thrive as Pacific. This includes innovation in Pacific bilingual and immersion education. Applications are welcome from anywhere in Aotearoa.
In 2020, educators, places of learning, community groups and providers, and researchers and academics can apply for funding to support innovative practices from two funding streams:
|
$2.5m for innovative practices in Pacific bilingual and immersion education provision in early learning services and schools |
$3.5m for innovative practices to meet wellbeing and curriculum needs relating to Pacific education |
Regional allocation of funding
- Funding within the general stream of the Innovation Fund has been allocated based on the Pacific learner population distribution. This gives each education region a specific envelope of funding to make decisions on which applications are approved.
- Funding within the Pacific bilingual and immersion education stream of the Innovation Fund is weighted towards Auckland to recognise the concentration of bilingual and immersion education in the region.
- Decisions on funding allocations for the next three years of the Innovation Fund haven’t been made.
- The following tables outline the distribution of funding:
Region |
$3.5m for innovative practices to meet wellbeing and curriculum needs relating to Pacific education |
$2.5m for innovative practices in Pacific bilingual and immersion education provision in early learning services and schools |
|
Tai Tokerau |
$32,270.32 |
|
|
Auckland |
$2,419,941.35 |
$2,250,000 |
|
Waikato |
$134,102.73 |
|
|
Bay of Plenty |
$74,177.42 |
|
|
Taranaki, Manawatu, Whanganui |
$84,921.88 |
|
|
Hawkes Bay -Tairāwhiti |
$82,411.15 |
|
|
Wellington |
$366,788.69 |
|
|
Nelson Marlborough West Coast |
$34,707.20 |
|
|
Canterbury Chatham Islands |
$188,600.42 |
|
|
Otago Southland |
$82,078.85 |
|
|
Rest of country |
|
$250,000 |
Applications for the Pacific Education Innovation Fund open on 23 September and close on 6 November.
Who can apply?
To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a group or representatives from an education provider in the early learning, schooling or tertiary sector AND/OR a researcher or academic, OR a community and social service provider or a community group.
- You, and members of your group, are New Zealand citizens and reside in New Zealand.
- Your innovation will be designed and delivered in New Zealand and will support learners and families of Pacific heritage.
- Your innovation meets the education-related curriculum and/or wellbeing needs of learners.
- Any products or resources developed using the funding will be open source (able to be shared freely, not owned by you or able to be bought or sold).
- Your group is a legal entity or connected to a legal entity.
- Your group has no outstanding financial, legal or other issues (i.e. bankruptcy, legal challenges etc.).
Application Process
Eligible applicants are invited to submit an application by 6 November 2020. The application form can be accessed here.
List of application questions.
If you have further questions that are not answered in the FAQs, please email pacific.innovationfund@education.govt.nz
This information in 10 Pacific languages:
