New Zealand's R&D Career Grant, administered by Innovation Services (MBIE), reopens for applications at 9am on Monday 31 August 2026. It co-funds hiring a recent graduate into a 6-month full-time R&D role: up to $30,000 plus GST for a master's graduate (based on a $60,000 salary) and up to $35,000 plus GST for a PhD graduate (based on $70,000). Graduates must have finished a NZQA Level 9 or 10 STEM/design/business degree within the last 12 months and it must be their first full-time industry job.
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NZ R&D Career Grant reopens 31 Aug 2026: up to $35k to hire a graduate
Why this matters for founders
A NZ startup doing genuine R&D can line up a recent master's or PhD hire now and lodge an application the moment the round opens on 31 August 2026 to offset up to $35k of that first-year salary. Prepare the role and candidate before the portal opens, as rounds can close early once funding is exhausted.
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