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Infectious Diseases Research Platform

Aotearoa's Infectious Diseases Research Platform (IDRP), funded by the New Zealand Government, to enable better preparedness and response to threats from infectious diseases.

Lab Image Infectious Disease

About the Infectious Diseases Research Platform

In November 2025, the Government announced that the Infectious Diseases Research Platform (formerly Te Niwha), will oversee $75 million of investment over seven and a half years to boost New Zealand’s resilience to infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness.

The Platform will be hosted by the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) on behalf of the New Zealand Government, formerly the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR).

You can read a copy of the Minister’s announcement here.

The Platform supports research that:

  • Strengthens national pandemic preparedness and response, including surge science capability.
  • Reduces the health, social and economic impacts of future infectious disease outbreaks.
  • Builds a strategic, integrated and agile infectious diseases research system.
  • Enables breakthroughs to reduce the burden of diseases such as rheumatic fever, tuberculosis and meningococcal disease.

Building on Te Niwha

The Platform builds on the programme previously delivered through Te Niwha, which invested $36 million into infectious diseases research over three years. You can learn more about the programme and its work by clicking here.

Showcasing Te Niwha Funded Research

An e-book on the research, capability-building and national collaboration delivered through Te Niwha was released in February 2026.

The book showcases work to help improve New Zealand’s preparedness and response to future pandemics and infectious disease threats.

The e-book brings together key findings, collaborations and real-world impacts from more than 95 research projects involving more than 300 researchers, funded since Te Niwha was established in 2022.

Download the e-book: Preparing and protecting New Zealand through research: Outcomes from Te Niwha Infectious Diseases Research Platform, 2022–2026.

Platform updates

Current status and next steps (February 2026)

Research Plan development

The Research Plan that will set out how the Platform invests the $75 million in funding to strengthen New Zealand’s resilience to infectious disease threats through coordinated, high-impact science is currently in development.

Transitional Infectious Diseases Research Advisory Group

A Transitional Advisory Group has been established to support development of the Research Plan and ensure continuity from Te Niwha.

The Advisory Group

  • Brings together expertise across infectious diseases, public health, policy, and interdisciplinary research.
  • Incorporates perspectives from researchers, policy partners, Māori and Pacific communities, and other stakeholders.
  • Supports alignment with New Zealand’s current and emerging infectious disease needs.

Members include

Professor David Murdoch (Chair), Associate Professor Emma Best, Dr Max Bloomfield, Dr Rose Collis, Dr Mae David, Dr Nick Douglas, Professor Jemma Geoghegan, Professor David Hayman, Dr Tom Hills, Dr Sarah Jefferies, Dr Mike Maze, Dr Natalie Netzler, Professor Colin Simpson, and Glenda Raumati.

Support to the Advisory Group is provided by Maree Roberts (Interim Director, Te Niwha).

Engagement with researchers

Once a draft Research Plan is developed, we will engage widely with researchers and stakeholders to seek input and feedback. Indicative consultation timeframes will be shared once the draft plan is available.

Current funding opportunities

BE READY European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness

Opportunity for New Zealand researchers to join international consortia

The Infectious Diseases Research Platform is supporting New Zealand participation in the BE READY European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness.

2026 Joint Transnational Call topic

Advancing knowledge of host and pathogen dynamics to better combat emerging diseases.

Funding available

€500,000 to support up to two New Zealand research groups within international consortia.

Research focus areas

This call aims to support innovative, collaborative, interdisciplinary and transnational research projects aiming to:

  • Better understand the pandemic potential of emerging pathogens.
  • Elucidate the pathophysiology induced by these pathogens.
  • Develop knowledge enabling innovative medical countermeasures.
Research scope

Pre-clinical research (up to 36 months), including pathogen‑specific molecular targets, zoonotic host–pathogen interactions, therapeutic and vaccine targets, and immunological assays and experimental models that link host genetics to disease outcomes.

Pathogen families must focus on

Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Nairoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Phenuiviridae, Poxviridae, Togaviridae or Pathogen X.

Eligibility
  • New Zealand universities
  • Crown Research Institutes / public research organisations
  • Public or community research institutions
  • Independent researchers

New Zealand applicants must join multinational consortia involving at least three countries.

Key dates
  • Pre-proposals due: 13 April 2026
  • Invited full proposals due: 20 August 2026
  • Project start: 2027
More information

Upcoming funding opportunities

2025-26 financial year Infectious Diseases Research Platform funding  

We recognise the strong interest in how research funding will be progressed this financial year. Our focus is on maintaining momentum while also ensuring we incorporate lessons from Te Niwha and align with the revised investment aims.

We are currently working through commissioning processes for research projects.

We appreciate the sector’s patience as we undertake this transitional phase and will share further details as key milestones of the programme are reached.

Stay connected

Stay connected

If you have questions or want to discuss future funding opportunities, please email idrp@phfscience.nz

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