The opening of the 2026 call for proposals under the next phase of the Ireland-New Zealand agriculture and climate joint research and technology initiative has been announced.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, Minister of State with special responsibility for research and innovation Noel Grealish and New Zealand minister of agriculture Todd McClay.

Originally beginning in 2022, the 2026 call for proposals marks the beginning of the second phase of the bilateral research partnership.

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Up to €6m in funding will be provided between the Department of Agriculture and New Zealand's ministry for primary industries in this phase for collaborative research aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from pasture-based livestock systems, while maintaining productivity, profitability and resilience at farm level.

The joint research call is open to eligible research performing organisations (RPOs) in Ireland and New Zealand.

Minister Heydon said that between the Department and the New Zealand ministry, nearly €20m in funding was awarded for collaborative research in climate and agriculture for the first phase of the initiative.

On the announcement, Minister of State Grealish said: “Rather than examining individual mitigation measures in isolation, we are seeking research that assesses how multiple measures can work together within real farming systems, over production cycles.

"The objective is to generate the evidence, tools, technologies and management strategies needed to support farmers in reducing emissions while maintaining productive and economically viable dairy and beef farms."

Tools and options

New Zealand minister for agriculture Todd McClay said: “New Zealand is proud to continue its support of vital agricultural climate research to get tools and options to farmers to tackle agricultural emissions without reducing productivity.

"This joint research will contribute directly to greenhouse gas mitigation at farm level and, where possible, deliver co-benefits including improving water quality, soil health, biodiversity and overall farm sustainability. Our work together will drive better environmental outcomes for Ireland and New Zealand and help farmers to continue to produce the food that the world needs.”

The call for proposals is now open and applications must be submitted through the Department's online application system by 30 September 2026.

The call documents and further information, including details of applicant briefing sessions, will be available through the Department’s research programme website.