Research Programmes successful proposals

The successful proposals for the 2026 Research Programmes Endeavour Fund Contract Extension round were selected by the Science Board, an independent statutory Board, following internal MBIE assessors reviews and evaluations of proposals.

Our Science Board

The contract extensions start on 1 October 2026.

Successful 2026 Research Programmes contract extensions

The successful contract extensions for 2026 are listed below.

Lincoln Agritech Limited

Project title: Novel cellulose fibres regenerated from New Zealand plant resources for textile use

For more information see:

Lincoln Agritech Limited funded Research Programmes

Massey University

Project title: Smart Bioplastic food packaging to extend shelf-life and reduce pollution

For more information see:

Massey University funded Research Programmes

New Zealand Heavy Engineering Research Association Incorporated

Project title: Developing a Construction 4.0 transformation of Aotearoa New Zealand's construction sector

For more information see:

NZ Heavy Engineering Research Association funded Research Programmes

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited - formerly Landcare Research

Project title: Moving the middle: empowering land managers to act in complex rural landscapes

Project title: Te Weu o te Kaitiaki – Indigenous regeneration pathways

For more information see:

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science funded Research Programmes

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited - formerly Plant & Food Research

Project title: The Flowering Crisis: Confronting a changing climate’s threat to NZ’s tree crops

For more information see:

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science funded Research Programmes

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited - formerly Scion

Project title: Seeing the forest for the trees: transforming tree phenotyping for future forests

Project title: Vive la résistance - achieving long-term success in managing wilding conifer invasions

Project title: Extreme wildfire: Our new reality - are we ready?

For more information see:

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science funded Research Programmes

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Limited - formerly GNS

Project title: Beneath the Waves: Preparedness and resilience to New Zealand’s nearshore volcano hazards

For more information see:

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science funded Research Programmes

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Limited - formerly NIWA

Project title: Transforming coastal lowland systems threatened by sea-level-rise into prosperous communities

For more information see:

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science funded Research Programmes

Te Whare Wānanga O Awanuiārangi

Project title: Generation Kāinga: Rangatahi building a regenerative and resilient Aotearoa

For more information see:

Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi funded Research Programmes

The Cawthron Institute Trust Board

Project title: Fish futures: preparing for novel freshwater ecosystems

Project title: Ngā Punga o Te Moana: Anchoring our Open Ocean Aquaculture Future

For more information see:

The Cawthron Institute Trust Board funded Research Programmes

University of Auckland

Project title: Wirelessly Powered Transport Infrastructure for a Low-carbon Future

For more information see:

University of Auckland funded Research Programmes

University of Canterbury

Project title: Enabling unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to use tools in complex dynamic environments

Project title: A new electromagnetic imaging method for advanced food process optimization

For more information see:

University of Canterbury funded Research Programmes

University of Otago

Project title: Natural carbon sequestration in our southern fjords – a pathway towards carbon neutrality

For more information see:

University of Otago funded Research Programmes

University of Waikato

Project title: Restoring Urban Nature

For more information see:

University of Waikato funded Research Programmes