This book chapter discusses the GeoHealth Laboratory (GHL) research model that is based on a relationship contract funding model. The GHL aims to be a collaboration that builds a strategic partnership between two parties, the University of Canterbury (UC) and the New Zealand Ministry of Health (MoH) around health geography, spatial epidemiology, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Further, the GHL seeks to produce high-quality research (i.e. journal articles) and policy-relevant outputs (e.g. in the form of plain English reports) in the fields of health and GIS. The chapter discusses the nature of the relationship and funding model, with examples of research from the annual research programme. We conclude by showing the importance of flexibility in research funding models, using emerging exemplars of research related to the COVID-19 response in New Zealand.