Catalyst Fund

The Catalyst Fund supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations which take advantage of international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit.

International science and innovation connectivity is a key contributor to achieving the Government's vision for New Zealand's science, innovation and technology system.

Catalyst Fund objectives

The Catalyst Fund objectives include:

  • Targeted international partnerships maximise the impact and quality of New Zealand science and innovation.
  • Emerging international science cooperation opportunities are pursued and advanced to deliver benefits to New Zealand.
  • International science and innovation is leveraged in key areas, delivering benefit to New Zealand at a faster pace, of better quality, or of greater impact than can otherwise be achieved.

Research priority areas

The current priority research areas for the Catalyst Fund are:

  • Quantum technology
  • Health and biomedicine
  • Biotechnologies
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Antarctic research
  • Space and Earth observation

Catalyst Fund Investment Plan 2024 - 2028

Some Catalyst Fund programmes are devolved to the Royal Society Te Apārangi and the New Zealand Health Research Council and administered under an MBIE funding agreement. 

Royal Society Te Apārangi(external link)

Health Research Council(external link)

Contact us 

For more information, email:

internationalscience@mbie.govt.nz

Subscribe to MBIE alerts to receive updates on new funding initiatives:

Subscribe

In this section

Catalyst Fund Investment Plan 2024-2028

Global connectivity to drive innovation.

New Zealand - Singapore Biotech in Future Food Research Programme Call for Proposals 2025

Proposals are invited for New Zealand research organisations to work with Singapore research organisations using advanced biotechnology solutions in food manufacturing.

New Zealand – Japan Joint Research Programme Call for Proposals 2024

We are inviting proposals in the field of disaster mitigation, response and recovery, with a focus on the practical application of advanced technologies. This is a joint opportunity for New Zealand and Japanese research organisations.

Australia New Zealand Collaborative Space Research Programme in Earth Observation Call for Proposals

Proposals are invited for New Zealand research organisations to work with SmartSat Co-operative Research Centre (SmartSat CRC) in the area of Earth observation.

New Zealand-China Strategic Research Alliance 2024 Call for Proposals

The Call for Proposals has now closed for joint research partnerships between New Zealand and Chinese research organisations.

e-ASIA Joint Research Programme Call for Proposals 2024

We are inviting proposals in the field of alternative energy for the e-ASIA Joint Research Programme which includes funding agencies from Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Funded projects

Recently funded initiatives from the Catalyst Fund.

Last updated: 04 December 2024