Timing for the 2026 investment round
Timing for the 2026 investment round
In early March 2025, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will release guidance to tertiary providers on what to include in their Investment Plans from 2026.
In early March 2025, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will release guidance to tertiary providers on what to include in their Investment Plans from 2026.
The New Zealand Gazette notice, Plan Guidance, and templates to support Investment Plans will all be available in early March 2025. These documents contain important information about our expectations and funding priorities for tertiary education provision from 2026 and how your Plans need to reflect this. Plans will be due in early July 2025.
2026 investment round indicative timeline
To help you prepare for the next funding round, here is an indicative timeline of the major milestones.
| Activity | Timing |
|---|---|
| TEC publishes notice in the New Zealand Gazette setting out requirements for Plan content, timetable, assessment and Plan summaries | Early March 2025 |
| TEC releases Plan Guidance and Plan engagement begins | Early March 2025 |
| Government announces Budget 2025 | May 2025 |
| TEC provides indicative allocations | From 3 June 2025 |
| TEC releases Plan-related templates | From 9 June 2025 |
| TEC publishes Supplementary Plan Guidance to reflect any policy or Budget changes | June 2025 |
| Providers submit proposed Plans | By 4 July 2025 |
| TEC reviews proposed Plans and has further discussion with providers as needed | July–October 2025 |
| Providers are notified of decisions in writing | From November 2025 |
| First payments made against Plans; Plan delivery begins | January 2026 |
If you have any questions, please contact your Relationship Manager or call our Customer Contact Group on 0800 601 301 or email customerservice@tec.govt.nz.