RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Research and Development Project Grant
Callaghan Innovation administer the Government's Business R&D Grants. They advise that Research and Development Project Grants are for firms with smaller R&D programmes and those that are new to R&D. The purpose of the grants is to support more R&D activity in New Zealand. The programme helps companies exploit emerging areas of science and technology. These grants can help address technical feasibility, commercial feasibility and proof of concept research. For guidance and advice on applying for this grant contact us.
Eligible Businesses
To be eligible for Callaghan Innovation R&D funding the business must be registered under the Companies Act 1993, or a Limited Partnership under the Limited Partnership Act 2008.
Callaghan Innovation administer the Government's Business R&D Grants. They advise that Research and Development Project Grants are for firms with smaller R&D programmes and those that are new to R&D. The purpose of the grants is to support more R&D activity in New Zealand. The programme helps companies exploit emerging areas of science and technology. These grants can help address technical feasibility, commercial feasibility and proof of concept research. For guidance and advice on applying for this grant contact us.
Eligible Businesses
To be eligible for Callaghan Innovation R&D funding the business must be registered under the Companies Act 1993, or a Limited Partnership under the Limited Partnership Act 2008.
Research Defined
Research is defined as original and planned investigation undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding. R&D is distinguished from non-R&D by the presence or absence of an appreciable element of innovation. If the activity departs from routine or breaks new ground it is normally R&D; if it follows an established pattern it is normally not R&D. R&D undertaken outside New Zealand is not an eligible cost except in limited cases. The following are examples of activities that would typically be included in research:
Research is defined as original and planned investigation undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding. R&D is distinguished from non-R&D by the presence or absence of an appreciable element of innovation. If the activity departs from routine or breaks new ground it is normally R&D; if it follows an established pattern it is normally not R&D. R&D undertaken outside New Zealand is not an eligible cost except in limited cases. The following are examples of activities that would typically be included in research:
- Research aimed at discovery of new knowledge;
- Searching for applications of new research findings or other knowledge;
- Formulation and design of possible new or improved product or process alternatives;
- Testing in search of product or process alternatives.
Development Defined
Development is defined as the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services before the start of commercial production or use. The following are examples of activities that would typically be included in development:
How Much Funding is Available?
Normally 40 percent co-funding is available for a single distinct project. The value of the R&D Project Grants normally range between $20K and $250K. Co-funding of 40% is available for the first $800k and then 20% for the remainder.
On-Line Application
The grant application is submitted on-line on your Callaghan Innovation IMS Client Portal.
Development is defined as the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services before the start of commercial production or use. The following are examples of activities that would typically be included in development:
- Evaluation of product or process alternatives;
- Design, construction and testing of pre-production prototypes and models;
- Design of tools, jigs, moulds, and dies involving new technology, or operation of a pilot plant.
How Much Funding is Available?
Normally 40 percent co-funding is available for a single distinct project. The value of the R&D Project Grants normally range between $20K and $250K. Co-funding of 40% is available for the first $800k and then 20% for the remainder.
On-Line Application
The grant application is submitted on-line on your Callaghan Innovation IMS Client Portal.
Regional Business Partners
The first point of contact for these grants is through a network of Regional Business Partners. Callaghan Innovation's Regional Business Partners appointed to deliver this funding are listed on our business grants page. Contact the Regional Business Partner closest to you to discuss your project.
The first point of contact for these grants is through a network of Regional Business Partners. Callaghan Innovation's Regional Business Partners appointed to deliver this funding are listed on our business grants page. Contact the Regional Business Partner closest to you to discuss your project.
How we can help you Apply for the R&D Project Grant
We are experienced in helping companies apply for this grant. We use an agenda and template driven process. We can help you with the online documentation, on-line submission, reports and claims; and liaison with Callaghan Innovation. To learn more contact us.
We are experienced in helping companies apply for this grant. We use an agenda and template driven process. We can help you with the online documentation, on-line submission, reports and claims; and liaison with Callaghan Innovation. To learn more contact us.
Information about the R&D Project Grant sourced from Budget 2013 documents, and the Ministerial Direction for Business R&D Grants released in December 2015. Research and Development is defined by the New Zealand Equivalent to International Accounting Standard 38, Intangible Assets (NZIAS 38) and Financial Reporting Standard No 13, (Issued by the Financial Reporting Standards Board Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand, under the Financial Reporting Act 1993).
Research and Development Growth Grant
The R&D Growth Grant was closed on 31 March 2019 when the R&D Tax Incentive/Credit was implemented.
The R&D Growth Grant was closed on 31 March 2019 when the R&D Tax Incentive/Credit was implemented.
Student R&D Grants
The eligible expenditure funded under the different student grants is normally limited to the wages and salary of the student, a tax-free stipend for the student, a tertiary administration fee and, when the business is located a significant distance from the tertiary institute, a travel allowance for the student.
The eligible expenditure funded under the different student grants is normally limited to the wages and salary of the student, a tax-free stipend for the student, a tertiary administration fee and, when the business is located a significant distance from the tertiary institute, a travel allowance for the student.
How we can help you Obtain R&D Funding
We use an agenda and template driven process to help companies apply for these R&D grants. We provide consulting and advisory services to help you, and your team, with the business case preparation, online documentation, on-line submission, reports and claims; and liaison with Callaghan Innovation staff and representatives. To learn more contact us.
We use an agenda and template driven process to help companies apply for these R&D grants. We provide consulting and advisory services to help you, and your team, with the business case preparation, online documentation, on-line submission, reports and claims; and liaison with Callaghan Innovation staff and representatives. To learn more contact us.
Useful Links: Research and Development Grants
Callaghan Innovation
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
New Zealand Intellectual Property Office
Help preparing business plans
Help planning business projects
Help planning and managing research and development projects
This page was last updated on 3 March 2020