Skip to main content

What does Lottery Health Research give priority to?

The Lottery Health Research Committee gives priority to requests that:

  • show how the research will translate into better health outcomes for New Zealand populations, including Māori and Pasifika, and other minority groups
  • show why the health issue is significant for New Zealand
  • addresses a unique gap in health research knowledge in New Zealand
  • demonstrate partnerships between researchers and community organisations who will contribute to the New Zealand health sector over time.

For those requesting grants for post-doctoral fellowships and PhD scholarships priority is given to:

  • researchers who are early in their career or entering and/or returning to the New Zealand work force
  • host organisations that how they will provide quality support, management and supervision.

For shared equipment and translational research project requests, priority is given to:

  • collaboration, particularly with significant pieces of research equipment, which should be shared between a number or research centres/institutions)
  • projects that have received support from other funders.

 What are the important dates for Lottery Health Research?

For the important funding dates for the Lottery Health Research Fund, follow the link below to the funding calendar:

What are the outcomes for Lottery Health Research grants?

Please note that for the 2023/24 financial year the Lottery Health Research Committee has 46% less funding available compared with the previous year.

Unfortunately, this means the committee will not be able to fund as many requests as last year, and is unlikely to make grants to the same levels it has previously.

For more information about the funding allocations to lottery distribution committees for the 2023/24 financial year, visit Te Puna Tahua Lottery Grants Board allocations for 2023/24.

If you have any questions, please contact your local advisor or email us at community.matters@dia.govt.nz.


Organisations receiving grants are expected to show how their health research will contribute to:

  • better understanding of the causes, prevention and treatment of disorders affecting New Zealanders
  • new approaches in health and bio-medical science for the ultimate benefit of all New Zealanders
  • developing and keeping a highly skilled workforce of health and bio-medical researchers in New Zealand.