Apply for 2027 levy funding
The Forest Growers Levy Trust (FGLT) application process for 2027 funding will take place in September this year as an open call, consistent with previous years.
Applicants will have from 1 – 30 September 2026 to prepare and submit their funding applications onlineAny individual, organisation or business with a project or initiative that stands to directly benefit New Zealand’s forest growing sector can apply for funding.
Key dates:
- 31 July - Priority areas announced
- 3 August – Full information available on the FGLT website
- 1 September – FGLT applications open, 9am
- 30 September – FGLT applications close, 5pm
- 3 December – FGLT Board funding decision meeting
- 31 December – Applicants notified of funding outcomes
- January 2027 – Annual Work Programme published
Key resources:
Click here to apply for 2027 funding
Click here to download the worksheet
Funding overview
The Forest Growers Levy Trust (FGLT) is the industry organisation responsible for managing and investing levy funds collected from forest growers. These funds support projects and initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to both levy payers and the wider forest growing sector.
Applications for this levy funding open once per year.
Projects and activities that receive FGLT funding are entered into the FGLT’s Annual Work Programme, which is delivered through nine specialist areas overseen by eight Committees. These Committees focus on delivering industry-good outcomes across:
- Biosecurity
- Environment
- Fire
- Health, safety and wellbeing
- Industry and product promotion
- Research and development
- Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) forests
- Training and careers
- Transportation and logistics
Click here to download the diagram
Funding eligibility
- Any individual, organisation or business with a project or initiative that stands to directly benefit New Zealand’s forest growing sector can apply for funding for the 2027 calendar year. Projects must demonstrate a clear and direct benefit to New Zealand's forest growing sector
- Information submitted to the FGLT must be accurate, true and complete to the best of the applicant's knowledge at the time of applying for funding
- Applications are to be submitted online, according to the FGLT's instructions, by 5pm, Wednesday 30 September, 2026. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be eligible for funding.
Application process
Applications for 2027 funding open online at 9am, Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Only applications submitted through the online form are eligible for funding.
An ‘Application Worksheet’ – an exact copy of the online form in a word document format - will be made available online in August so that applicants can prepare for the questions required to be answered.
It’s not a requirement to complete this worksheet but applicants are encouraged to make use of it to help prepare their responses offline, ahead of time. When you’re ready, copy your responses from the worksheet into the online application form using the link provided on this webpage.
The online application form has a ‘Save and continue later’ function allowing applicants to come back to, and complete, the form later. If using this feature, a link will be sent to the email you provided in the ‘Contact information’ section. Click on the link in the email to resume your application. If completing the form over multiple sessions, use the original email and link to access your application again.
All applicants must submit their proposals to the FGLT using the online form by the Wednesday 30 September, 2026 deadline.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for funding.
Click here to download the worksheet
Click here to apply for funding
Priority investment areas
The FGLT's priority investment areas for 2027 are an evolution of those in 2025 and 2026, with a stronger emphasis on future-focused projects and initiatives that support the evolution of the forestry sector.
Each priority reflects a coordinated approach to furthering the sector’s interests and are designed so that 2027 levy-funded projects:
- Align with the FGLT’s strategic goals, and
- Deliver tangible, high-value outcomes for levy payers, such as improved practices, better market access, greater advocacy, product improvements and enhanced biosecurity.
Applications that clearly demonstrate that their proposal will contribution to one or more of these priorities are more likely to be successful in their applications.
Research proposals must also align with at least one FRC research investment area as outlined in the 'Request for Proposals' document. The research investment areas (see below) are complementary to the overarching FGLT priority investment areas and identify specific opportunities where research is most likely to contribute to improved outcomes for levy payers.
Priority investment areas for 2027 projects:
Protection
Supporting initiatives that protect New Zealand's forests from biological, environmental and operational risks. This includes biosecurity surveillance and preparedness, forest health research, wildfire prevention and response capability, worker safety and technologies or practices that strengthen the sector's resilience to emerging threats across the value chain.
Why this is a priority:
Forestry faces an increasingly complex risk environment, including emerging biosecurity threats, wildfire risk, safety challenges and the impacts of a changing climate. Investing in protection helps safeguard forest productivity, worker wellbeing, community safety and the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Productivity
Investing in projects that improve the efficiency, capability and competitiveness of New Zealand’s forest growing sector. This includes workforce development and training, operational efficiency, supply chain optimisation, mechanisation, data-driven decision making and the adoption of best practice to improve productivity across the forestry value chain.
Why this is a priority:
A skilled workforce and efficient operations are essential to maintaining a competitive forestry sector. Investment in capability development and operational performance helps reduce costs, improve outcomes for levy payers and maximise value from forestry activities.
Promotion
Supporting initiatives that improve public understanding of forestry and strengthen the sector's reputation, credibility and influence. This includes public education initiatives, stakeholder engagement, communications and outreach activities, campaigns, tools and resources that improve access to accurate information, and evidence-based advocacy that supports informed discussion and decision-making.
Why this is a priority:
Forestry's reputation is one of the sector's most significant long-term risks and opportunities. Public perceptions increasingly influence policy decisions, regulatory settings, workforce attraction and community acceptance of forestry activities. Investing in education, engagement and trusted information helps build public understanding, strengthen confidence in the sector and ensure forestry's contribution to New Zealand is accurately represented and understood.
Compliance and regulation
Ensuring the regulatory and policy environment affecting forestry is practical, evidence-based and fit for purpose. This includes policy research and analysis and stakeholder engagement and advocacy work that informs policy development, supports effective regulation and represents the interests of levy payers.
Why this is a priority:
The regulatory environment has significant influence on forestry's ability to operate, invest and compete. Regulation must balance the needs of forest growers with social expectations and environmental outcomes. Investment in this area ensures forestry's interests are effectively represented in policy discussions and that regulatory decisions are informed by evidence and operational realities.
Product innovation
Supporting research, development and commercialisation of new or higher-value uses for forest resources. This includes wood and fibre innovation, bio-based product development, advanced manufacturing, market research and emerging technologies that enable new products and market access.
Why this is a priority:
Growing the value derived from our forests requires developing new products, expanding markets and increasing the range of high-value uses for forest resources. Investment in product innovation strengthens sector profitability, diversifies revenue streams and supports long-term competitiveness in evolving global markets.
Cross-cutting themes
Alongside the FGLT’s five priority investment areas, the FGLT has included four cross-cutting themes. While these themes do not form the central focus of the FGLT’s investment strategy, they have been identified as areas that can deliver additional value for sector:
- Climate change: Projects that build resilience and support mitigation and adaptation to climate impacts
- Extension: Projects enabling uptake of research, knowledge and best practice across the sector
- Data and technology: Projects using data, analytics and digital tools to improve decision making, performance or insights
- People and partnerships: Projects building collaboration across industry, Māori, government and other partners.
Applications that align with one or more of these themes may be viewed more favourably in the assessment process.
Research and development applications
A targeted call for research and development (R&D) proposals will be run by the Forest Research Committee (FRC) this year, alongside the overarching FGLT application process. This targeted call only applies to research proposals.
Research applications must be submitted through the standard FGLT funding process, using the online FGLT application form.
The FRC has identified six research investment areas to focus research effort on opportunities and challenges of strategic importance to the New Zealand forestry industry. These investment areas support delivery of the FGLT's broader investment priorities.
Applicants are expected to respond directly to one of these areas. Any proposals falling outside of the scope of these six areas are unlikely to be competitive.
The six research investment areas are:
Research organisations will also have a cap on the number of research proposals they can submit. Applications received above this limit will not be assessed by the Forest Research Committee. Applicants should therefore prioritise their strongest opportunities and consider collaborative proposals where appropriate.
Complete information on the targeted call, including the research investment areas and proposal caps, is available in the 'Request for Proposals - 2027 FGLT Research Funding' document.
Any questions on the targeted call or research proposals should be directed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Click here to view the RfP document
Evaluation process
Once the application window closes, each specialist Committee carefully reviews submissions based on feasibility, potential sector impact and alignment with FGLT’s strategic priorities. Committees then supply their funding recommendations to the FGLT Board, who evaluates all applications and makes the final funding decisions.
Applicants can expect to receive a letter or email from the FGLT secretariat by 31 December 2026, notifying them of the outcome of their application.
Approved projects are entered into the following year's Work Programme and must fully spend their funds within the calendar year of approval, adhering to the conditions set by the FGLT.
Applicants who are not successful can reapply during the next funding round.
Tips for completing your online application:
- Work offline first: Whether your application requires input from multiple team members or you are submitting an application on your own, we recommend preparing your responses offline first using the FGLT application worksheet before filling out the online form. This way, you can gather all necessary information in advance, save and revisit before submitting your request through the online form.
- Save and continue later: The online form includes a "Save and Continue Later" feature. If you need to pause and come back later, you can save your progress and return when ready. An email with a link to your draft will be sent to the registered email address. Note: Only one email is sent, so be sure to use the same link each time you return.
- Collaborate offline: If your application involves contributions from more than one person, work together in the offline worksheet template. Once everyone's input is gathered, copy and paste the responses into the online form when you're ready to submit.
- Single user access: Only one user can access and complete the online form at a time. Ensure that no one else is editing or filling out the form simultaneously.
- Multiple submissions: You can submit multiple applications, but each application must be completed separately. I.e., only one online form can be worked on at a time.
- Required fields: You will not be able to submit your form unless all required fields are filled out. Double-check your entries before submitting.
- Word limits: Pay attention to word limits throughout the form. These limits are enforced, and they correspond to those specified in the offline worksheet.
- Final check before submission: Review your form carefully before submitting, as changes cannot be made once the form is submitted.
- Print your form: You can print a copy of your form before submitting. If you encounter issues when printing, adjusting the margins or page size in your settings may help (e.g. try A3 format or wider margins).
- Save a copy of your form: Once you've submitted your application, a notification will be sent to the email registered on the form, confirming receipt of your application. This email receipt also provides a copy of your application in a simple, printer-friendly format.
