Applications for MBIE Innovation Services' R&D Experience Grant opened 13 July 2026 and close at 9am Monday 24 August 2026 (or earlier if funding runs out); it subsidises hiring a tertiary student for up to a 10-week R&D project. Its companion R&D Career Grant opens 9am Monday 31 August 2026, funding up to $30,000 (master's) or $35,000 (PhD) toward a 6-month graduate R&D hire. Both schemes are now run by MBIE Innovation Services following the disestablishment of Callaghan Innovation.
Why this matters for founders
R&D-active NZ startups can lock in subsidised technical talent by applying for the Experience Grant before the 24 August deadline, then queue up a Career Grant application when it opens 31 August to fund a masters/PhD hire.
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