The application period is 1 May to 30 September 2026. Please note that additional funding will only be allocated after July 2026.

Template for applications

2026 in-year additional funding request application template (XLSX 151 KB)

You can now apply for 2026 in-year additional funding for funds that are open for additional funding.  

Applications are open until 30 September 2026, while funding is available. Below are the application closing dates for each month.

Submissions received after 30 September 2026 will not be accepted. 

The template outlines how to submit your application for in-year additional funding, as well as what information we need to appropriately assess your request. 

We expect to advise outcomes within four to six weeks of the submission date. It may take longer than this in some circumstances or if we need more information.

Targeted funds

As in 2025, where funding is available, we are taking a targeted approach to additional funding for the following funds:

• Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all industry training (DQ3-7) Fund and
• Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ7-10) Fund.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will contact TEOs that we consider meet the following criteria:

• demand from learners in 2026 within targeted priority areas,
• history of strong Education Performance Indicators (EPIs) and
• strong focus on improving educational outcomes for all learners.

We will also consider other factors, such as:

• availability of funding for 2026 and out years,
• External Evaluation and Review ratings,
• the fund’s intent,
• 2026 April Single Data Return supported by the March interim forecasts, including whether returns were submitted on time,
• 2025 and 2026 Additional Funding Requests,
• enrolment data,
• TEO engagement,
• advice received from Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) noting this will taken forward by Industry Skills Boards,
  relevant supporting evidence from the TEOs and their stakeholders,
• financial viability and whether a repayment plan is or has recently been established.

Funds not open for additional funding

The following funds are subject to specific constraints which mean we will not be targeting additional funding and TEOs cannot apply for additional funding, in these funds:

• Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Communities and ACE in Schools,
• TEO-led Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund,
• Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ1-2) Fund,
• Youth Guarantee (YG).

Should money become available for these funds, through under-delivery or returned funding, we will notify you of our intended approach to additional funding.

Funds open for additional funding

The following funds are not subject to the targeted approach and TEOs can apply for additional funding:

• Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund,
• ACE in Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs),
• English Language Teaching Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund,
• Refugee English Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund.