2025 Foundation Research Grant recipients announced
Each year, the Foundation supports New Zealand academics undertaking Asia-focused projects by enabling them to travel to the region for field research. This year’s grant recipients are Runa Whitehead, who is exploring the role of communities in supporting active ageing in Japan, and Clementine Annabell, who is examining what New Zealand can learn from Asian firearms legislation.
The grants of up to $5000 can go towards research that helps grow New Zealand’s understanding of Asia in key policy areas or in areas where there is meaningful impact for New Zealand's future.
The Foundation’s director of research and engagement, Julia Macdonald, says Foundation Research Grants enable early-career researchers to carry out fieldwork that strengthens New Zealand–Asia connections.
“Foundation Research Grants help early-career researchers explore topics through fieldwork that builds connections and delivers benefits to both New Zealand and Asia," she says.
"This year’s recipients will generate insights to inform New Zealand policy in critical areas such as elder care and firearms legislation.”
The next Foundation Research Grants application round opens 1 September 2025
The 2025 Foundation Research Grant recipients
Runa (Luna) Whitehead: Learning from Japan: The role of communities in supporting active ageing
Runa Whitehead
Luna Whitehead is a senior registered nurse and University of Waikato student whose fieldwork in Hiroshima and Okinawa seeks to better understand Japanese approaches to aged care. Her research will help identify practical implications and learnings for New Zealand’s health and social systems. This work is particularly timely with over a million people across Aotearoa projected to be aged 65 or over by 2028.
Clementine Annabell: Making New Zealand Safer: What New Zealand can learn from Asian firearms law
Clementine Annabell
Clementine Annabell is a Master of Laws student assisting a major comparative study of firearms legislation across nine countries, including Japan, Singapore, India and South Korea.
Her fieldwork will deepen understanding of different laws and their underlying rationales, assess their outcomes, and explore how relevant elements could be adapted or reimagined to help reduce firearm harm in New Zealand.
The Foundation's Research Programme publishes surveys, reports, and insights briefs relating to all aspects of New Zealand’s relationships with and interests in Asia. We also provide grants to emerging scholars with Asia-related research interests.
The Foundation’s Research Grants support talented postgraduate students and emerging scholars to conduct research into contemporary issues in the Asia region.
