About the fund
The New Zealand Fund for Global Partnerships in Livestock Emissions Research (GPLER) is an international research fund set up by the New Zealand Government in support of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA).
It's aimed at accelerating global research in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from pastoral livestock farming by seeking solutions to four research challenges:
- manipulating rumen function
- reducing nitrous oxide emissions from soils
- manipulating rates of soil carbon change
- improved tools and practices for minimising farm system-level greenhouse gas emissions intensity.
Reducing emissions from livestock farming is critical
The agricultural sector is estimated to contribute about 10% to 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with most (around 80%) coming from livestock and feed production. Yet agricultural production must increase if it is to help feed the projected global population of 9.6 billion by 2050.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming is of critical importance if the sector is to respond to climate change in a meaningful way at the same as sustainably contributing to food production.
The 2016 funding round
The fourth funding round opened on 30 May 2016 and pre-proposals closed at 14:00 on 8 July 2016. The round has NZD$9.2 million to distribute for projects up to 3 years in length (ending 30 June 2020). This is split into:
- NZD$8 million available for projects up to NZD$2 million in value
- NZD$1.2 million available for smaller, 'new ideas’ projects up to NZD$300,000 in value.
The portfolio of projects supported by the GPLER balances innovative science with the achievement of cost-effective, practical and sustainable solutions for pastoral livestock farmers.
- Pre-proposals were
arewelcomed from multi-disciplinary teams that pool the best international and New Zealand expertise. - Successful proposals
pre-proposalswill be ones that clearly convey the idea and the pathway to outcomes. - Demonstrating the connection to the ultimate end user – the farmer – is critical.
Note, there are strict eligibility requirements around international participation and co-funding. Pre-proposals that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
Read challenges for the 2016 GPLER round
Applying for funds
The fourth round has now closed. Pre-proposals had to be submitted by 14:00 NZST, Friday 8 July 2016. Read the Rules and Guidelines for Applicants carefully before completing the Pre-proposal Application Form.
Round 4 GPLER dates
| Date | Activity |
| Monday 30 May 2016 | GPLER round 4 opened |
| Friday 1 July 2016 | Deadline to submit questions on the pre-proposal application form and/or process |
| 14:00 NZST, Friday 8 July 2016 | Closing date for pre-proposals |
| Early September 2016 | Applicants notified of outcomes of pre-proposals. |
| 14:00 NZST, Friday 16 December 2016 | Closing date for full proposals |
| Late March / early April 2017 (indicative) | Applicants notified of outcomes |
| April-June 2017 (indicative) | Contract negotiations for successful proposals |
| 1 July 2017 (indicative) | Projects commence |
| 30 June 2020 | Projects conclude |
View the successful round 4 pre-proposals
We welcomed pre-proposals from a number of multi-disciplinary teams. These teams pooled the best international and New Zealand expertise.
Research challenges for the 2016 GPLER round
Pre-proposals must respond directly to one (or more, if relevant) of the four challenges.