Researchers at The University of Auckland have received a total of $11.7 million in the annual Marsden Fund investment round.

Twenty-five research projects at the University will receive funding over the next three years, addressing subjects as diverse as ocean acidification, the effects of antidepressants on brain plasticity, war captives in M?ori society, the emergence of biological economies, and statistical analysis with biased samples.

The principal investigators are based in seven of the University’s eight faculties – the Faculties of Science, Medical and Health Science, Engineering, Arts, and Law, the Business School, and the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries.

"The excellence of our research across a wide range of disciplines reflects The University of Auckland's place as New Zealand's most comprehensive university, and is in turn is reflected in the Marsden Fund results" says Professor Jane Harding, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research.

"We are delighted that the Government had the foresight to increase the Marsden Fund in the last budget, and that our researchers have been so successful in winning a share of that funding."

The Marsden Fund, established by the Government in 1994, supports excellent research in science, technology, engineering and maths, social sciences and the humanities.

Its objectives are to undertake investigator-driven research; enhance the research knowledge base in New Zealand; contribute to the global advancement of knowledge; and broaden and deepen the research skill base in New Zealand.

The fund is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of the Marsden Fund Council and operates under the Terms of Reference issued by the Minister of Research, Science and Technology.