Deadline: 30-Sep-2026
The Ireland–New Zealand Agriculture and Climate Joint Research & Technology Initiative 2026 funds collaborative research projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in pastoral bovine production systems. It is jointly funded by Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), with a total budget of €6 million. Projects must focus on scalable methane and emissions mitigation solutions across full farm systems using cross-country research consortia.
Program Overview: Agriculture and Climate Innovation Funding
The Ireland–New Zealand Agriculture and Climate Joint Research & Technology Initiative is a bilateral research funding program designed to accelerate climate-smart livestock agriculture.
It supports innovative, science-driven solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in pastoral bovine production systems, with a strong emphasis on real-world scalability and system-wide impact.
Key Objectives of the Initiative
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in livestock agriculture
- Develop scalable methane mitigation strategies
- Improve sustainability of pastoral bovine systems
- Promote climate-smart agriculture technologies
- Strengthen international research collaboration
- Evaluate system-level agricultural interventions
Focus on System-Level Climate Solutions
The program emphasizes:
- Whole-farm emissions reduction
- Bundled or stacked mitigation strategies
- Real-world implementation pathways
- Long-term environmental impact assessment
Funding Structure and Budget
Total Program Budget
- €6 million total funding
- €3 million from Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
- €3 million from Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Project Funding Range
- Minimum per proposal: €3 million
- Maximum per proposal: €6 million
Country-Level Funding Rules
- €1.5 million to €3 million per country per project
- No single country may exceed 70% of total project funding
- Balanced Ireland–New Zealand funding distribution is strongly encouraged
Research Themes and Priority Areas
Projects must focus on greenhouse gas mitigation in pastoral bovine systems.
Mitigation Technologies
- Methane reduction innovations
- Feed additives and supplements
- Emission-reducing farm technologies
Animal Genetics and Breeding
- Low-emission livestock genetics
- Selective breeding for sustainability traits
- Productivity-linked emissions reduction
Farm Management Interventions
- Improved grazing systems
- Nutrient management strategies
- Precision livestock farming
Emissions Measurement and Accounting
- Methane measurement technologies
- Lifecycle emissions assessment
- Carbon accounting frameworks
Adoption and Implementation Pathways
- Farmer adoption behavior studies
- Technology uptake barriers
- Scaling mitigation solutions
Whole-Farm Systems Approaches
- Integrated farm sustainability models
- Bundled mitigation strategies
- System-wide emissions optimization
Consortium and Eligibility Requirements
Minimum Consortium Structure
Each proposal must include:
- At least two independent funded entities
- Participants from both Ireland and New Zealand
- Joint research collaboration between countries
Mandatory Roles
- One project lead in Ireland
- One project lead in New Zealand
- One overall project coordinator
Additional Participants
- Self-funded international partners allowed
- Cannot serve as coordinator
- Cannot fulfill minimum eligibility requirement
Eligibility Compliance
All proposals must meet:
- General eligibility rules
- National eligibility criteria of DAFM
- National eligibility criteria of MPI
Project Duration and Timeline
- Maximum duration: 48 months (4 years)
- Projects must be long-term and system-focused
- Expected to deliver measurable climate impact outcomes
Application Requirements
Submission Format
- Must be submitted in English
- All financial data must be in euro (€)
Proposal Structure Must Include
- Research objectives
- Emissions reduction strategy
- Consortium structure
- Budget breakdown
- Implementation roadmap
- Impact measurement framework
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are assessed based on:
- Scientific and technical excellence
- Potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Innovation and scalability
- System-level impact across farm operations
- Strength of Ireland–New Zealand collaboration
- Feasibility and implementation pathway
- Quality of consortium expertise
How the Initiative Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Consortium Formation
Partners from Ireland and New Zealand form a research collaboration.
Step 2: Proposal Development
Applicants design:
- Research methodology
- Emissions reduction approach
- System-wide implementation plan
Step 3: Submission
Proposal is submitted in English with euro-based budgeting.
Step 4: Eligibility Screening
Only proposals meeting all requirements proceed to evaluation.
Step 5: Expert Review
Independent experts assess:
- Scientific quality
- Climate impact potential
- Collaboration strength
Step 6: Funding Allocation
Selected projects receive joint funding from both countries.
Step 7: Project Execution
Consortia conduct research over up to 48 months.
Importance of the Initiative (Why It Matters)
This initiative supports global climate action in agriculture by:
- Reducing methane emissions from livestock systems
- Advancing sustainable dairy and beef production
- Strengthening international scientific collaboration
- Improving measurement of agricultural emissions
- Scaling climate-smart farming practices
It plays a key role in transitioning pastoral agriculture toward low-emission, data-driven systems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing cross-country consortium requirement
- Weak alignment with emissions reduction goals
- Poorly defined system-level methodology
- Imbalanced funding distribution between countries
- Non-compliance with national eligibility rules
- Incomplete emissions measurement framework
Tips for a Strong Application
- Build strong Ireland–New Zealand collaboration early
- Focus on scalable methane reduction solutions
- Include both technology and adoption pathways
- Design clear whole-farm system models
- Strengthen emissions measurement strategy
- Ensure balanced funding structure across countries
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main goal of this initiative?
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in pastoral bovine farming systems through collaborative research.
2. Who funds the program?
It is jointly funded by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
3. What is the total funding available?
€6 million total, split equally between Ireland and New Zealand.
4. What is the project duration?
Up to 48 months.
5. Who can apply?
Research consortia with partners from both Ireland and New Zealand.
6. What are the main research areas?
Methane reduction, livestock genetics, farm management, emissions measurement, and system-level mitigation.
7. Can one country dominate the funding?
No, no single country can exceed 70% of the total project budget.
Conclusion
The Ireland–New Zealand Agriculture and Climate Joint Research & Technology Initiative 2026 is a high-impact international research funding program focused on reducing livestock emissions through innovative, scalable, and system-level agricultural solutions. By promoting strong bilateral collaboration and scientific innovation, it advances global efforts toward climate-smart and sustainable pastoral farming systems.
For more information, visit gov.ie.