The New to R&D Grant is now open:
Simplified co funding, easier application process and more focussed learning. Read more.
You’ve dreamt up a fantastic new idea. Everyone you’ve confided in thinks it’s a great idea and it could change the world. But there’s lots of work to do before it becomes a fully fledged, profitable product.
Now what? Which journey to embark on next?
The obvious place to start would be Research and Development (R&D). But even then, you might be wondering if you and your newly-formed team are set up properly to undertake the assignment.
The New to R&D Grant is unlike other grants in this space. Rather than just focussing on and funding a specific R&D project, it also funds training and upskilling to equip you and your team with a rounded knowledge and expertise to proficiently lead future R&D projects.
We’ll fund 40% of both the cost of your proposed R&D activities and Capability Development activities, up to a maximum of $400,000, helping to set you up for long-term success.
We know R&D can be uncertain and there’s no guarantee of yielding the results you want. But with that initial groundwork done - your ducks in a row - you can feel more confident that you’ll get to the right outcome as fast as possible, for all of your future R&D activities.
Benefits to your business
Equip your team with a set of skills and knowledge needed to undertake effective R&D for years to come.
Undertake future R&D activities more efficiently, and reduce risks of misspent time and money.
Demonstrate the new abilities of your team, to help reassure future investors that R&D investment is being well spent.
Open the doors to future R&D funding, including the R&D Tax Incentive.
Understanding your target customers and developing a vision of the customer problem your products and services will solve.
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Understanding the strategic and ongoing cost implications of patent protection and the impact on your commercial goals.
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Understanding the regulatory market landscape early in your product development and how that will inform your R&D activities and final product.
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Maintaining momentum as you acquire new information and knowledge through your research activities.
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Plan, prioritise and manage the tasks required to complete your project within the agreed deadlines and budgets.
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Understanding how to increase your research information’s efficiency and effectiveness through R&D data management.
read moreReady for the R&D Tax Incentive
With your newly found R&D capabilities, skills and knowledge, and your first R&D project underway, it’s highly likely that your business will become eligible for the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI): a 15% tax credit that can be claimed annually against eligible R&D expenditure.
Since its launch, the RDTI has provided over $300m in credits, and supported over $2bn of R&D investment.
An introductory session with the RDTI Engagement team will help you understand all the eligibility criteria, ensure you’re collecting the right information throughout the year and lend a guiding hand as you progress towards filing your application.
Find out more about the R&D Tax Incentive.
How the funding works
The grant will fund 40% of your eligible R&D activities and Capability Development building, up to the maximum total of $400,000.
As part of the funding agreement, you will be required to conduct activities from at least two different Capability Development categories (above). You’ll need to provide the details of your chosen Capability Development activities as part of your application. Additionally you’ll need to demonstrate how your chosen capability development will build knowledge in the business, and the impact it will have on driving long-term R&D performance.
Your capability development activities should comprise no less than 5% of the total grant funding.
Example (broken down below) : Your costs are $1,000,000. You will receive $400,000 total in co-funding, requiring you to fund the remaining $600,000. You must undertake two Capability Development activities within this total funding amount; the costs of which are also funded at 40%.
| Activity | Costs | 40% funded by Callaghan Innovation |
|
Capability Development 1: IP training |
$30,000 | $12,000 |
| Capability Development 2: Regulatory training | $20,000 | $8,000 |
| Your chosen R&D activities | $950,000 | $380,000 |
| Total | $1,000,000 | $400,000 |
Is this right for me?
Because the grant is designed with a very specific purpose, there are some stringent rules around who can receive it.
As a first step, your business must:
-
- Your business is an eligible entity
- Your business must not have received any government funding for R&D greater than $5,000 in the three years prior to the date of submission of your application
- Your business must have spent less than $50,000 in total on R&D over the three years prior to the date of submission of your application
- You must be able to fund your share of the R&D costs
You can read the full eligibility criteria on the New to R&D resource hub.
You'll be asked to provide evidence for your 60% share of the co-funding. Read our evidence of funds advice, to see what evidence is suitable.
If you are part of a corporate group containing other R&D performing businesses, you may not be eligible to apply. You will be assessed on whether you have access to the capabilities of those businesses to assist you with your R&D. See our grouping guidance here.
The New to R&D grant is best suited to businesses that are in their very early stages of launching a new product or service. You may be a completely new venture in its startup phase, or an existing business that’s not really delved into R&D.
You could be from a scientific or engineering background and need further knowledge and skills in business and understanding the customer. You could be from an entrepreneurial background and need further knowledge in research methodology or deeper technical analysis.
What’s most important is acknowledgement that you and your team have skills and knowledge gaps that you need to fill to effectively drive your future R&D projects.
Because the grant is designed with a very specific purpose, there are some stringent rules around who can receive it.
As a first step, your business must:
-
- Your business is an eligible entity
- Your business must not have received any government funding for R&D greater than $5,000 in the three years prior to the date of submission of your application
- Your business must have spent less than $50,000 in total on R&D over the three years prior to the date of submission of your application
- You must be able to fund your share of the R&D costs
You can read the full eligibility criteria on the New to R&D resource hub.
You'll be asked to provide evidence for your 60% share of the co-funding. Read our evidence of funds advice, to see what evidence is suitable.
If you are part of a corporate group containing other R&D performing businesses, you may not be eligible to apply. You will be assessed on whether you have access to the capabilities of those businesses to assist you with your R&D. See our grouping guidance here.
The New to R&D grant is best suited to businesses that are in their very early stages of launching a new product or service. You may be a completely new venture in its startup phase, or an existing business that’s not really delved into R&D.
You could be from a scientific or engineering background and need further knowledge and skills in business and understanding the customer. You could be from an entrepreneurial background and need further knowledge in research methodology or deeper technical analysis.
What’s most important is acknowledgement that you and your team have skills and knowledge gaps that you need to fill to effectively drive your future R&D projects.
"The New to R&D Grant is not only helping us advance our R&D efforts, it's supporting us to build new skills and knowledge in the areas of Intellectual Property and Regulatory and Compliance. unió is Kiwi innovation solving a global problem, so it's critical we protect our IP and understand regulatory requirements in key markets. At unió we are purposefully taking a long term view of R&D, as this underpins our mission to create more responsive, smaller footprint homes that are better for people and the planet."
"Frequently asked questions
If you have previously received a student grant (Experience, Career or Fellowship grant), you are not eligible to apply for the New to R&D Grant. However, if you are approved for a New to R&D Grant, you may apply for a student grant in the future.
No - if you do not need any capability development, you are not eligible and should move to the RDTI.
Resources
I work as the General Manager of Funding Engagement at Callaghan Innovation where we guide and support innovators through the funding process for their breakthrough ideas. My journey here has been dynamic, shaped by experiences ranging from wholesale financial markets to global consumer research organisations.
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My work managing the Funding & Contract Management team involves setting the terms of Callaghan Innovation’s R&D grants relationship with R&D businesses. Over twenty five years in the finance industry sees me well suited to the role of managing our grants portfolio.
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I am the Lead for Operations within Callaghan Innovation’s Funding and Contract Management team. We manage all the grant monies which support our customers.
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I am a Funding Engagement Specialist at Callaghan Innovation helping align customers with the best funding for their situation and needs. Through my expertise in networking and connecting like-minded individuals, I excel in guiding collaborations which develop and communicate simple actionable solutions from complex situations.
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My work as a Funding Engagement Specialist at Callaghan Innovation is supported by my background as a Chartered Accountant and MBA and experience from both the private and public sectors. My primary work focus is guiding our customers through writing cohesive grant applications.
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I'm one of the Funding Engagement Specialists interfacing between Callaghan Innovation and our customers. My core skills lie in system thinking, process design, and facilitation. These enable me to engage effectively with our stakeholders and navigate the complex project challenges that arise.
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I'm a Funding Engagement Specialist working with customers seeking financial support for their business. At heart, I am an unapologetic science geek, driven by a profound passion for supporting innovators.
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In a bid to help Kiwi businesses who are just starting out on their R&D journey, Callaghan Innovation has introduced the New to R&D Grant.
Ready to transform your business?
Start your application today!
To get started with the New to R&D Grant, please contact our Customer Support team.
To continue with your New to R&D Grant application, please visit our grants portal.
