Deadline Date: August 24, 2026
The R and D Experience Grant is now accepting applications to support businesses in hosting interns for short-term research and development projects.
The focus areas of this grant are research and development, science, technology, engineering, design, business, innovation, product and service development, and technical R&D experience.
The grant helps businesses employ students who can contribute to R&D projects while gaining knowledge of how research and development is applied in businesses.
Innovation Services provides funding of up to $11,960 plus GST for up to 400 hours of full-time work, with a minimum of 30 hours per week over 10 weeks.
The funded intern must be employed on the company payroll as a PAYE employee, receive at least $29.90 per hour, work full time, and contribute to a defined R&D project related to their qualification.
Eligible businesses must be incorporated and registered in New Zealand, be a registered limited partnership, or be a Māori incorporation, trust, or similar organisation managing Māori assets under multiple ownership.
Applicants must also show that their business has sufficient funds to continue operating for the next six to 12 months, employs at least one R&D full-time equivalent, has an active R&D programme with an R&D budget and technical staff, and has an R&D plan for the coming year.
For more information, visit business.govt.nz.
