Hon Steven Joyce
Minister of Science & Innovation

30 May 2013

Callaghan Innovation R&D Student Grants now open

Innovative New Zealand businesses are invited to apply for funding to hire students as part of the Government’s R&D Student Grants scheme.

The R&D Student Grants, which will be administered by Callaghan Innovation, are available this year to R&D active New Zealand companies to employ up to 70 postgraduates and 200 undergraduate students from science, technology, engineering, design, or marketing degrees.

“The Government’s R&D Student Grants will give New Zealand’s future innovators a head start in their careers by enabling them to gain and develop their technical skills by working in a commercial research environment,” Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

“The grants are hugely beneficial both for industry and young talent - helping students find suitable employment after their studies and helping to speed up business’s R&D work thanks to the contribution of bright, young minds with the latest knowledge and a fresh perspective.”

The postgraduate R&D Student Grants will continue to provide businesses with an expanded range of skills – adding design, marketing and commercialisation experience to science, technology and engineering skills – in response to feedback received from companies.

Based on an annual salary of $60,000, the postgraduate R&D Student grants will provide companies with 50% of annual salary costs up to $30,000 (plus GST) to cover the salary of the postgraduate for the first six months.

The undergraduate R&D Student Grants will provide companies with funding of $16 per hour for up to 400 hours of work for a maximum of $6,400 (excluding GST).

More information on the eligibility criteria for students and businesses, timelines and how to apply can be found at www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz.

ENDS