Call for Research Proposals
Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) research to support New Zealand policy and practice
Our goal is to work together to protect New Zealanders from terrorism and violent extremism.
Preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE) describes efforts to intervene before a terrorist attack occurs. These efforts cover a spectrum of activities – with targeted interventions to support individuals vulnerable to or showing signs of radicalisation to violence at one end – and activities that aim to mitigate the causes of vulnerability to violent extremism, including through building social resilience.
The governments’ work in preventing radicalisation is informed by domestic and international research and good practice. It operates within a public health framework of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
High quality, evidence-based research insights are crucial for counter-terrorism agencies to inform our understanding of violent extremism, evolve our prevention approaches, and strengthen our system capabilities. This is increasingly the case in our dynamic terrorism threat environment as it continues to deteriorate.
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is now seeking to fund 4-6 research projects to deliver operationally relevant research outputs that directly inform future PCVE strategy, policy and practice and address governments’ priority areas of focus.
| Context | Domestically we face an increasingly complex and demanding violent extremism threat. A terrorist attack in New Zealand is a realistic possibility. Individuals are embracing extreme anti-authority ideologies, conspiracy theories and diverse grievances and beliefs. Most individuals who hold extreme views and express violent rhetoric online will never actually carry out an act of violence. On the other hand, many may not necessarily express violent views but may still see violence as a legitimate way to effect political or societal change. An attack is likely to occur with little to no warning and will be difficult to detect in advance. The online environment is the major influence on the growth and pace of radicalisation and the evolution and sharing of violent extremism content. Offshore issues, and nationalistic and discriminatory rhetoric towards minorities and government / institutions drive polarising narratives, exacerbate grievances, drive tensions, and contribute to destabilisation. Young people, and increasingly younger people, are particularly vulnerable to radicalisation to violent extremism. |
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| Priority Areas | The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet seeks proposals to address the following priority areas*: *Please note, the following questions are indicative of the priority areas, not necessarily an exclusive list |
What factors mitigate or protect individuals from the impacts of exposure to extremist content and ideologies and radicalisation to violence?
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What does best practice support for the families or carers of young people who are identified as being at risk of radicalisation to violence look like?
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What works in bystander intervention and reporting? Individuals who are radicalising to violence often need support to move away from seeking to cause harm. Often, it is the people closest to an individual who are best placed to provide this support. Equipping and empowering close family members and friends to intervene may be an effective early intervention to prevent extremism from becoming entrenched.
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| What kinds of further improvements can be made to ensure New Zealand’s legislative settings are fit for purpose to respond to the current counter terrorism environment? | |
| Process for Applying | If you are interested in submitting a proposal to this call, please contact the Victoria University of Wellington Policy Hub. There will be two opportunities to ask questions about these priority areas and allow for an open conversation on possible research to respond to the priorities on 13 March and 27 March. Applications close on 30 April 2025. |