Contestable funding
Each year, BRI holds a contestable funding round, inviting researchers and industry partners to submit proposals that will deliver meaningful benefits to the New Zealand wine industry.
Proposals must align with the Research Strategy priority outcomes, and should be deliverable within 1-2 years with near-term industry benefit. They can be either applied research or proof-of-concept trials for blue sky research.
Funding comes from the New Zealand Winegrowers’ levy, beginning on 1 July each year. Projects can be co-funded with other organisations.
Eligible applicants include universities, PROs, independent researchers/consultants, regional associations, industry technical staff (viticulture/winery), and growers.
Applications are assessed on strategic alignment, scientific merit and research outcomes. Scroll down for the 2026 application information.
Through this process, BRI aims to support high quality, impactful research that strengthens viticulture and winemaking capability across the sector.
Grower trials
BRI also funds Grower Trials—an initiative designed to support grape growers and viticulturists in conducting their own vineyard trials. The programme puts growers at the centre of the research process, focusing on real-world challenges that can be tested in the field.
Trials should align with the Research Strategy Priority Outcomes and either test new ideas in a real-life setting or address an immediate research question. They should deliver benefits at the regional or national level, and produce results that can be adopted by the industry when the project ends.
BRI and other industry partners will support participants throughout the project, for example, with planning, trial design, data collection, and communication/extension. Trials must not be commercially sensitive, as results will be shared.
More information about funding and how to apply, is available here.
Through Grower Trials, BRI aims to increase peer-to-peer learning and build a network of engaged viticulturists, growers, and partners.
2026 Invitation for Research Proposals
Bragato Research Institute (BRI) is pleased to open its 2026 contestable funding round, inviting researchers and industry partners to submit proposals that will deliver meaningful benefits to the New Zealand wine industry.
This year’s call focuses on projects aligned with the Research Strategy priority outcomes identified by industry, ensuring investment is targeted toward areas of greatest strategic value and future impact.
Through this process, BRI aims to support high‑quality, impactful research that strengthens viticulture and winemaking capability across the sector.
Proposals should align with the Research Strategy priority outcomes
The Research Strategy was co-developed with industry and designed to maximise the value of members’ levy contributions. The strategy sets out priority areas where research can deliver the greatest impact. Successful applications for contestable funding should align with at least one of the seven priority outcomes.
Funding pool
The funding for the proposals comes from the New Zealand Winegrowers’ levy. The type of projects could be either applied or blue-sky research.
There is approximately $300K total available for this contestable funding round and BRI anticipates funding multiple projects; therefore, they are likely to be small pilots/proof of concept trials/seed funding, which if successful, could lead to larger projects or programmes of work.
Funding for successful applicants will be available from 01 July 2026.
Scope
Projects can be co-funded or collaborations between several organisations.
We encourage applicants to submit research proposals that can be completed within a one- to two-year timeframe and are likely to provide benefits to the industry in the short term.
Who can apply
Researchers from Universities, PROs, independent researchers or consultants, industry technical staff from viticulture or winery teams, growers. If you have a great idea but need some support, please reach out to the BRI team via info@bri.co.nz.
Each successful project will require a BRI liaison who will manage the project (and may or may not be a collaborator on the project). You will need to identify this person for the application process, so please reach out for their feedback and input early on. Please see a list of BRI liaisons below.
Application Process
This year, the submission process will run in two phases to provide applicants with a more streamlined experience.
Submissions open on Wednesday 04 March 2026 and close at 5pm Wednesday 25 March 2026.
Round 1
An initial proposal application of high-level information, focusing on strategic alignment, science merit and research outcomes. The criteria are available below. These proposals will be reviewed by the BRI Leadership Team to create a shortlist.
Round 2
The shortlisted proposals will be reviewed by the Research & Innovation Committee on the 29th of April. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a Q&A as part of this meeting (in person or online). Successful submissions will then be contacted for further information, focused on areas such as project deliverables, IP and phased budgets.
The final funding decision will be made at the BRI Board meeting on 09 June. Feedback will be provided to successful applicants on 10 June, unsuccessful applicants will receive feedback by the end of June 2026.
We encourage members who wish to discuss a project idea or issue they would like to address to email info@bri.co.nz.
Phase 1 assessment criteria
Contestable funding applications will be assessed using a standardised scoring system on five aspects:
Strategic Alignment: Project addresses one or more of the Priority Outcomes
- Does the proposal fill a knowledge or information gap, and how important is that gap
- The work addresses distinctly New Zealand winegrowing or winemaking challenges
Science Merit / Methodology: Proposal demonstrates sound scientific design and methods
- Trial design, controls, types of replicates, rigour of methodology
- Use of innovative approaches or techniques
- Whether the work brings knowledge from around the world for the benefit of the New Zealand wine industry
Delivery: Will the science merit and methodology deliver the proposed outputs?
- Likelihood of delivering on the project objectives
- Risks of non-delivery
Pathway to adoption: Adoption of the research is feasible, and barriers are known
- Whether the project addresses a change to current, adjacent or transformational practice
- Barriers to adoption of new knowledge or technology
- Whether there are plans to overcome / mitigate potential barriers
Realising impact: Clear connection between the project outputs and outcomes for industry
- Likelihood the project will deliver the proposed outputs and outcomes
- How soon the project will deliver tangible benefit for members
BRI Liaison list
Each successful project will require a BRI liaison who will manage the project (and may or may not be a collaborator on the project). You will need to identify this person for the application process from the list below, so please reach out and let them know what you are intending to submit and get their feedback and input early on. These BRI staff members are available for the liaison roles:
Ross Wise MW: viticulture, agritech and wine projects – ross.wise@bri.co.nz
Dr Darrell Lizamore: grapevine improvement and genetic resilience – darrell.lizamore@bri.co.nz
Dr Annabel Whibley: bioinformatician – annabel.whibley@bri.co.nz
Dr Seth Laurenson: sustainability, soil and water – seth.laurenson@bri.co.nz
