Innovation Services (administered by MBIE) funds up to NZ$11,960 plus GST for a 400-hour, 10-week full-time student R&D internship at a minimum NZ$29.90/hour. The 2026/27 round opened 13 July 2026 and closed 24 August 2026; internships must begin before 1 December 2026 and finish by 31 March 2027. Applicant businesses must be NZ-incorporated (or a limited partnership/Maori incorporation) with at least one R&D full-time-equivalent and an active R&D programme.
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NZ R&D Experience Grant: up to NZ$11,960 to hire a STEM student intern
Why this matters for founders
If you run an R&D-active NZ startup, line up a level 6-10 STEM/design/business student now so you can apply the moment the next annual round opens and get a subsidised intern for roughly NZ$12k. Use the current-round timing (mid-July open, late-August close) as your prep calendar.
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