We will allocate funding through multiple application rounds. Not every eligible tertiary education organisation (TEO) will receive funding. The first application round for expressions of interest (EOIs) opened from 25 January to 16 February 2024.

The EOI is an opportunity for you to demonstrate how you propose to accelerate your Learner Success Plan and how many learners it would benefit.

EOIs are assessed for alignment with the assessment criteria and how they target investment towards parts of the tertiary education sector where the greatest gains can be made for underserved learners. EOIs that have the greatest alignment will be progressed to the full application stage.

TEOs shortlisted through the EOI will be invited to submit a full application for funding.

Applications

The first round of EOIs closed on 16 February 2024. Further information will be available closer to the next funding round.

Assessment criteria for the Accelerating Learner Success Fund (Tūwhitia)

An assessment panel with expertise in tertiary education investment and learner success will consider applications using the following criteria:

• Additionality: The extent to which your proposal would accelerate learner success and achieve equity of education outcomes sooner.
• Alignment: The extent to which the proposal is aligned to the intent of the Fund and to your Learner Success Plan.
• Impact: The impact the proposal would have for your learners, including underserved learners, and how many learners it would impact.
• Capability: Your ability to deliver the proposal and its intended outcomes, including your capacity to co-invest.

Timeline for the EOIs

We will release further information on the application and assessment process and dates for future funding rounds once it is available. We will incorporate feedback from the first round of funding to inform future funding rounds.