Global Digital Research Fund

Our priority is to support artists or arts organisations who use digital or emerging technologies as an integral part of their practice.

You can apply if you are:

• an individual who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and have a track record of experience and success in your artform
• a New Zealand-based organisation, group or collective
• an international arts organisation, but only if applying to directly support a New Zealand artist
• an organisation already funded through Annual Arts Grants, or the Toi Tōtara Haemata or Toi Uru Kahikatea investment programmes, but only if applying for a new project, or new project phase that extends beyond what we currently fund you to deliver.

Before applying, you must contact Creative New Zealand to discuss your project. Once we have confirmed that you are eligible to apply, we will make the application form available to you. See details under ‘How to apply’.

Funding types

You can apply under one of three funding types: Ngā toi Māori, Pacific arts or general arts. 

If applying under Ngā toi Māori:

• you must be Māori, or your project must be managed or directed by Māori
• organisations, groups or collectives must be Māori-led. If an organisation is applying for funding on behalf of an individual, that person must also be Māori.

If applying under Pacific arts:

• your project must deliver outcomes to Pacific arts

You cannot apply if you are in breach of a current funding agreement.

We aim to amplify innovative digital arts practice and encourage exploration and experimentation by supporting:

• research and testing of new, high-quality digital artworks, which are
• in the concept phase, and
• intended for international presentation.

We will prioritise projects that:

• foster experimentation and innovation in the development, creation, distribution, or experience of digital artwork  
• demonstrate potential to develop new and on-going international audiences or relationships.

Project timing 

Your project must:  

• start after 17 May 2023 
• finish before 17 May 2024 

You can apply only for costs incurred between these dates. 

Project costs

We can fund:

• Fees for artists, collaborators, and specialists or experts across industries
• Research, development, or production costs, including studio costs, rehearsals, workshops, labs, residencies, prototyping, materials, and travel
• The purchase of tools, software, or equipment to a maximum of $3,000 if they provide relevant and fit-for-purpose resources to carry out the project. You must explain in your application how they’ll be used in your project. 

What we don’t fund

• Presentation costs. We expect that costs such as freight, flights, touring costs, venue hire and marketing will be met by the international presenter and/or other partners.
• Building of websites or platforms for hosting artwork, as this is also considered a presentation cost
• Retrospective or ongoing costs.  
• Activities already funded by another Creative New Zealand funding programme or initiative.
• Activities another Creative New Zealand funding programme or initiative is designed to support.
• Other activities listed in our Guidelines – What we don’t fund.

Email Catherine George, Senior Adviser – International Services and Initiatives, at international@creativenz.govt.nz or book a time online to discuss your project and confirm your eligibility.

Once we have confirmed your eligibility, register or sign in to your Creative New Zealand Portal account to apply using the online application form.

Complete the application form, add relevant support material, and submit the application before 1pm, Thursday, 6 April 2023.

For technical support to create your Creative New Zealand Portal account or use the online application form email portal@creativenz.govt.nz 

How many applications can you make

You can make one application. If you apply to the Global Digital Research Fund you cannot also apply to the Global Digital New Work Fund.

The application form includes the following sections:

Idea

In this section you tell us about:

• the central idea, or kaupapa, of your project and your artistic aims
• the technologies, innovative processes, or experimental approach that you’ll use to realise your digital concept or work.
• the international presenter or digital platform you anticipate delivering this project in the future.

Process

In this section you tell us about your plan, timeline, and process to achieve the idea.

People

In this section you tell us about yourself, and other key people or organisations involved in your project. 

Budget

In this section you tell us:

• how much you’re requesting from Creative New Zealand (between $5,00 and $10,000), and
• the total cost of the project.

You must also provide a detailed project budget that shows:

• all the costs of the project, including fair pay for artists
• which of those costs you want the Creative New Zealand grant to cover
• all sources of revenue, including in-kind support.

You can present your budget using:

• our standard project budget template, or
• the template that is built into the Budget section of the application form

For additional guidance about budgets, see Guidelines - Budgets

Support material

In this section, can add extra documents and information that support your application, such as:

• your budget in Excel format
• written confirmation of availability of the key people/organisations involved in the project
• artistic support material
• any relevant planning documents such as a timeline

For additional guidance about support material, see Guidelines - Support material

After the round closes, staff double check your application is eligible and then it is assessed by peer assessors.

We will let you know the result of your application on 17 May 2023. Successful applicants will be published on our Results page.

If your application is successful, we’ll contact you about your:

• Funding agreement
• Payment details
• Reporting requirements. 

If your application is not successful you can email Funding Services to get feedback on it, and you may consider looking into other sources of funding and support. 

For more information or advice, email Catherine George, Senior Adviser – International Services and Initiatives, at international@creativenz.govt.nz or book a time online.