ECR Writing Retreat 2025 – Navigating the Future of Research
Oct 16, 2025
Workshop / Retreat
Early Career Researchers attended a two-day Writing Retreat at Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre on October 14-15, focusing on grant writing and research planning. A key session on "Planning your proposal" addressed major changes to New Zealand's research funding landscape, including the new Research Funding New Zealand council that will absorb MBIE Endeavour and Marsden schemes by 2026-2027. Another session on "Designing with Impact" emphasized practical applications and defining research "products" that create tangible societal and economic value. The retreat successfully provided researchers with both dedicated writing time and strategic insights for navigating the evolving competitive funding environment.
From October 14–15, our Early Career Researchers (ECR) gathered at the serene Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre for an intensive two-day Writing Retreat. Departing from the ABI reception, the team took this opportunity to step away from their daily routines and focus deeply on strategic grant writing and research planning. The retreat was not just about writing; it was a crucial forum for understanding the shifting landscape of research funding in New Zealand and learning how to design research with tangible impact.
A major focus of the retreat was the session on "Planning your proposal," which addressed the significant changes coming to the national funding ecosystem. With the announcement of the new Research Funding New Zealand council (overseen by PM SITAC), attendees were briefed on how this new body will absorb major schemes like MBIE Endeavour and Marsden by 2026–2027. The presentation highlighted the "Caveats" of this evolving system, emphasizing the need for researchers to adapt to more mission-led opportunities while navigating the transition period over the next four years.
Another compelling session focused on "Designing with Impact." The discussion moved beyond theoretical research to practical application, defining a "product" as anything that creates value for someone - whether it be a physical device, a piece of software, or a simulation model. This perspective is vital for ECRs aiming to demonstrate the broader societal and economic benefits of their work.
The ECR Writing Retreat was a resounding success. It provided our researchers with not only the quiet time needed to draft their proposals but also the strategic foresight required to succeed in a competitive and changing funding environment.
