In November 2001, the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission recommended the introduction of a performance-based research fund for tertiary education organisations (TEOs).  The Performance-based Research Fund (PBRF) Working Group was established in July 2002. It gave advice to government on the detailed design and implementation of a performance-based system for funding research in New Zealand’s degree-granting organisations. Cabinet endorsed the PBRF Working Group’s recommendations in December 2002. These recommendations are in the report, ‘Investing in Excellence’, and are the basis for the PBRF.

The origins of PBRF funding lie in the funding provided to tertiary education organisations for teaching, specifically the portion of funding they received as a ‘top-up’ for teaching research degrees.  These funds were not intended as a source of funding for research, but to enable tertiary education providers to provide research-based teaching. While the Government has invested additional money over time, the majority of the fund comes from these top ups. 

The TEC reports on the results of PBRF Quality Evaluations as part of its commitment to encouraging and rewarding excellent research in the tertiary education sector.

The below infographic shows TEO participation across the four Quality Evaluation rounds (2003, 2006, 2012 and 2018).

• Quality Evaluation participation across four rounds (PDF 137 KB) (PDF, 137 Kb) 

In addition, as part of reporting the interim results for the 2018 Quality Evaluation we have released the final results of the first three Quality Evaluation rounds (2003, 2006 and 2012) and the interim results for the 2018 Quality Evaluation in two interactive charts. The charts allow TEOs and other stakeholders to see changes over time.

Learn more: Interactive charts for Quality Evaluation rounds. For more information about individual Quality Evaluations see the other sections on this page.

• Phase 1 Evaluation of the implementation of the PBRF and the conduct of the 2003 Quality Evaluation (PDF 4.7 MB)(PDF, 4.9 Mb)
• Final Report - Independent Review of the PBRF (PDF 788 KB) (PDF, 787 Kb)
• TEC's brief summary of the report (PDF 16 KB) (PDF, 15 Kb)

The 2012 Quality Evaluation final report was published in October 2013. The final report incorporates changes made based on the results of the complaints process, administrative corrections, and the presentation of information as requested by the sector. An overview of the results of the complaints process was included (Appendix 1). Indicative funding for 2013 PBRF allocations was also updated (Table 9.1).

• Evaluating Research Excellence - the 2012 Assessment (PDF 6.4 MB) (PDF, 4 Mb).

• Supplement to Appendices A and B (2003, 2006 and 2012 Quality Evaluations – TEOs by subject area results and nominated academic unit results (XLS 411 KB) (XLS, 410 Kb)

• Supplement to Appendix A (Part 1) – 2012 TEO, panel, and subject area results (XLS 501 KB) (XLS, 501 Kb)

• Supplement to Appendix A (Part 2) – 2012 nominated academic unit results (XLS 348 KB) (XLS, 348 Kb)

• Supplement to Appendix B (Part 1) – 2006 and 2003 TEO, panel, and subject area results (XLS 284 KB) (XLS, 284 Kb)

• Supplement to Appendix B (Part 2) – 2006 and 2003 nominated academic unit results (XLS 242 KB) (XLS, 241 Kb)

• Supplement to Appendix C – Contextual comparators for 2003, 2006 and 2012 Quality Evaluations (XLS 133 KB) (XLS, 133 Kb)

Peer review panel and expert advisory group reports

Reports were developed by each of the 12 peer review panels and two expert advisory groups following the completion of the 2012 Quality Evaluation. The reports provide information on their assessments and recommendations for the TEC.

• PBRF 2012 All Peer-Review Panel and Expert Advisory Group Reports (PDF 2.5 MB) (PDF, 2 Mb)

Peer review panel-specific guidelines

The panel-specific guidelines were developed by each panel to assist researchers in the development and submission of their Evidence Portfolios for the 2012 Quality Evaluation.

• Business and Economics panel-specific guidelines (PDF 127 KB) (PDF, 126 Kb)

• Biological Sciences panel-specific guidelines (PDF 125 KB) (PDF, 124 Kb)

• Creative and Performing Arts panel-specific guidelines (PDF 153 KB) (updated June 2012)(PDF, 153 Kb)

• Education panel-specific guidelines (PDF 139 KB) (PDF, 139 Kb)

• Engineering, Technology and Architecture panel-specific guidelines (PDF 159 KB) (PDF, 158 Kb)

• Humanities and Law panel-specific guidelines (PDF 139 KB) (PDF, 138 Kb)

• Health panel-specific guidelines (PDF 118 KB) (PDF, 118 Kb)

• Māori Knowledge and Development panel-specific guidelines (PDF 143 KB) (PDF, 142 Kb)

• Mathematical and Information Sciences and Technology panel-specific guidelines (PDF 140 KB) (PDF, 140 Kb)

• Medicine and Public Health panel-specific guidelines (PDF 125 KB) (PDF, 125 Kb)

• Physical Sciences panel-specific guidelines (PDF 124 KB) (PDF, 123 Kb)

• Social Sciences and Other Cultural/Social Sciences panel-specific guidelines (PDF 143 KB) (PDF, 143 Kb)

Expert Advisory Group (EAG) criteria

The EAG criteria outline the processes and principles of the EAGs

• Professional and Applied Research EAG Criteria (PDF 116 KB) (PDF, 110kb)

• Pacific Research EAG Criteria (PDF 116 KB) (PDF, 77kb)

Most of the historical resources and publications relating to earlier PBRF cycles have been archived and are available on request. The following documents are available to download.

2006 Quality Evaluation

• 2006 PBRF Evaluating Research Excellence - the 2006 Assessment (PDF 2.3 MB) (PDF, 2.2Mb)

• PBRF TEO Results - All TEOs (XLS 43 KB) (Excel, 43 Kb)

• PBRF Panel Results - All Panels (XLS 37 KB) (Excel, 28 Kb)

• PBRF Subject-Area Results - All Subject Areas (XLS 50 KB) (Excel, 50 Kb)

• Peer Review Panels for the 2006 PBRF Quality Evaluation (PDF 92 KB) (PDF, 92 Kb).

• 2006 PBRF Guidelines (PDF 2.1 MB) (PDF, 2.44 Mb). These guidelines were prepared to help participants in the 2006 processes for the PBRF.

2003 Quality Evaluation

• 2003 PBRF Evaluating Research Excellence: the 2003 assessment (PDF 2.4 MB) (PDF, 2Mb)

• 2003 PBRF Evaluating Research Excellence: the 2003 assessment - Overview and Key Findings (PDF 2.4 MB) (PDF, 180 Kb) 

Individual researchers may request information on the assessment of their own Evidence Portfolios from the previous Quality Evaluation rounds (2003, 2006 and 2012).

For all requests for 2003 and 2006 Quality Evaluation results, email pbrfinfo@tec.govt.nz. For 2012 Quality Evaluation results, request a 2012 form from the Customer Contact Group.

To ensure confidentiality, if we have any concerns related to your identity, the information will not be released.

TEOs cannot request this information on behalf of staff.