Innovation Services — R&D grants

The R&D and innovation grants that used to sit with Callaghan Innovation. Same funding, new home.

Closes

Open — explore and apply through the innovation funding pages

Who can apply

Businesses needing funding for innovation or research and development. Three products: the New to R&D Grant for businesses starting out in R&D, and R&D Career Grants and R&D Experience Grants for building talent.

Amount

Varies by product. New to R&D Grant and R&D Career Grant (up to $30,000-$35,000, for employing a master’s or PhD graduate 6 months) are grants; the R&D Experience Grant (funding a 10-week tertiary placement) was closed for the 2026/27 round as at this check. The R&D Tax Incentive is separate, a 15% tax credit on R&D spend

Funding route

Grant

Applicants

Businesses & land trusts, Iwi & Māori organisations, Organisations & providers

Before you apply

Listed mainly because almost every guide still sends people to the wrong place. Callaghan Innovation was disestablished on 1 December 2025. Its grants and startup programmes moved to MBIE and now run under the Innovation Services brand. Te Puni Kōkiri’s own enterprise page still points at Callaghan, as do most funding guides. If a page you are reading names Callaghan Innovation, it is out of date.

The R&D Experience Grant is the one worth knowing about for rangatahi — it places students in businesses doing R&D. The R&D Career Grant supports people moving into R&D roles. Neither is only for scientists; a pakihi developing a product or process can qualify.

The R&D Tax Incentive is separate and continues, administered jointly by Inland Revenue and MBIE.

MBIE also run He Ara Whakahihiko, a capability fund for Māori-led science and innovation, aimed at Māori-facing organisations rather than individual founders.

Official source →

Checked 16 September 2026

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Details change without notice. Check the funder's own page before you apply. Tōku Waka does not administer, assess or award this funding.