Smart Ideas successful proposals
We received 169 applications for Smart Ideas funding in the 2025 round of the Endeavour Fund and 46 were approved for funding. We also continue to fund about 100 Smart Ideas awarded in previous years.
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The successful proposals for the Smart Ideas Endeavour Fund were selected by the Science Board, an independent statutory Board, following review by independent experts from New Zealand and overseas in MBIE’s College of Assessors.
For a full list of the science and innovation contracts funded by MBIE and the “public good” science funded by the precursor organisations the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) and The Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST):
We release Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) data relating to successful funding applications.
2025 Smart Ideas successful proposals
The successful Smart Ideas for 2025 are listed below.
The new contracts start on 1 October 2025.
Read the Minister's announcement:
Backing bold science with Endeavour funding(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz
AgResearch Limited
Project title: Nanocellulose produced in microgravity by symbiotic microbial communities sustained by photosynthetic microalgae
For more information see:
AgResearch Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Algavive Limited
Project title: Solar Spectral Engineering for Energy Efficient and Enhanced Growth of High-Value Algae
For more information see:
Algavive Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Aqualinc Research Limited
Project title: A multiphysics approach to characterising shallow groundwater systems
For more information see:
Aqualinc Research Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Auckland University of Technology
Project title: Arsenic remediation in seaweed products and environment using marine symbiotic bacteria enzymes
For more information see:
Auckland University of Technology Smart Ideas funded projects
Barenbrug New Zealand Limited
Project title: Re-directing clover metabolic flux to reduce livestock emissions and improve productivity
For more information see:
Barenbrug New Zealand Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Bodeker Scientific Limited
Project title: Integrating AI and additive Manufacturing for Biomimetic Adaptive Building Façades
For more information see:
Bodeker Scientific Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Climate Prescience Limited
Project title: Costing Future Climate Disasters: Harnessing Climate Chirality and Sigma Space Extremes
For more information see:
Climate Prescience Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited
Project title: Tracking magma depth using near-real-time volcanic gas chemistry for improved eruption forecasting
For more information see:
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Inzight Analytics Limited
Project title: Pathways out of poverty: removing barriers to upward social mobility
For more information see:
Inzight Analytics Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Lincoln Agritech Limited
Project title: Functional synthetic microbial communities for enhanced soil carbon-sequestration in native reforestation
For more information see:
Lincoln Agritech Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Massey University
Project title: New technologies enabling a sensitive multiplex rapid antigen test for bovine mastitis
Project title: Focused Ultrasound for Painless Calf Disbudding
For more information see:
Massey University Smart Ideas funded projects
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited
Project title: Marine heatwaves: A cost-effective multi-month early warning system to enable effective management
Project title: Advancing understanding of catchment-to-coast sand transport: Lifting environmental and economic benefits
Project title: Land-to-sea spatial management: assessing sediment effects on seafloor primary production via satellite
Project title: Quantifying Impacts of Record-shattering Weather Events on Critical Infrastructure under Climate Change
Project title: Roto Whakamahu: Degraded Lakes Restoration Using Native Plants
For more information see:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
Te Runanga o Te Rarawa Trustee Limited
Project title: Eco-Clam: Harvesting Toheroa sustainably
For more information see:
Te Runanga o Te Rarawa Trustee Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
The Cawthron Institute Trust Board
Project title: Supercharging mitochondrial function: creating high performing, resilient, and robust aquaculture species
For more information see:
The Cawthron Institute Trust Board Smart Ideas funded projects
The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited
Project title: Bryophyte biochemistry: New frontiers in controlling plant growth
Project title: On-tree storage for NZs highly perishable fruit crops
Project title: Rapid unlocking of resistance proteins to activate and harness plant defence networks
Project title: On-demand plant stress mitigation: A climate-change adaptation proof of concept
For more information see:
The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited Smart Ideas funded projects
The Research Trust of Victoria University of Wellington
Project title: An on-chip microwave circulator for scalable quantum computing
Project title: Benchmarking earthquake hazard estimates using novel natural seismometers in lakes
Project title: Machine-learning tools for forecasting volcanic eruptions
Project title: Modelling environmental drivers of remotely-sensed lateral river mobility
For more information see:
The Research Trust of Victoria University of Wellington Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Auckland
Project title: Innovative gene-tech for early detection of climate-driven pathogens in New Zealand
Project title: Networking implantable medical devices
Project title: Piezoelectric Chitosan: A Sustainable Material for Antimicrobial Solutions
Project title: AI-based coaching platform for Te Reo Māori pronunciation
Project title: Spatial Skills Training for Improved Students’ Participation and Performance in STEM
Project title: Transforming degraded coastal habitats: Reducing costs by harnessing mussel industry waste
Project title: Stoat Re-Identification Powered by Artificial Intelligence for Effective Pest Management in Aotearoa
Project title: Novel Electrochemical Sensor Platform for Measuring Toxic Iron in Serum
For more information see:
University of Auckland Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Canterbury
Project title: Optimizing Next-Generation Climate Model Precipitation Projections for Improved Climate Resilience
Project title: 3D-printed Bioscaffolds for Directional Neurite Outgrowth after Spinal Cord Injury
Project title: Highly active low-cost electrodes: Exploiting the non-obvious interactions during plasma spray coating
Project title: Next-Generation Volcanic Monitoring with Fibre Optic Technology
Project title: Smart transport systems: Using vehicle connectivity for safer evacuations
For more information see:
University of Canterbury Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Otago
Project title: Financial stability and improved policies through spatio-temporal hybrid climate stress tests
Project title: Novel light-based materials and injection device for tissue grafting
Project title: Harnessing the glow from New Zealand’s glowworm as a unique biotechnology tool
Project title: Cardiac Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Expanding The NZ MedTech Industry
For more information see:
University of Otago Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Waikato
Project title: Marine allelochemicals as novel, sustainable, environmentally safe and selective herbicides
Project title: Uncovering earthquake hazards in Aotearoa using next-generation geological and ground motion modelling
For more information see:
2025 success rates by organisation
The table below details the 2025 Endeavour Fund success rates by organisation for Smart Ideas.
These figures exclude ineligible proposals.
| Organisation | Number applied | Number successful | Success rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AgResearch Limited | 3 | 1 | 33.33 |
| Algavive Limited | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| Aqualinc Research Limited | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| Ara Institute of Canterbury | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Auckland University of Technology | 3 | 1 | 33.33 |
| Barenbrug New Zealand Limited | 2 | 1 | 50 |
| Bodeker Scientific Limited | 2 | 1 | 50 |
| Climate Prescience Limited | 2 | 1 | 50 |
| Eastern Institute of Technology | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION CENTRE AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND LIMITED | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited | 3 | 1 | 33.33 |
| Inzight Analytics Limited | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| Kea Aerospace Limited | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lincoln Agritech Limited | 2 | 1 | 50 |
| Lincoln University | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Malaghan Institute of Medical Research | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research New Zealand Limited | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Massey University | 8 | 2 | 25 |
| National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited | 11 | 5 | 45.45 |
| New Zealand Aquaculture Limited | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand Brain Research Limited | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association Inc | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nicholson Consulting Limited | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Scarlatti Limited | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharpweb LTD | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Southern Institute of Technology | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Te Reo Irirangi o Te Hiku o Te Ika trading as Te Hiku Media | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Te Runanga o Te Rarawa Trustee Limited | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| Te Wananga o Aotearoa Te Kuratini o Nga Waka | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| The Cawthron Institute Trust Board | 3 | 1 | 33.33 |
| The New Zealand Chiropractic Education Trust Board | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited | 8 | 4 | 50 |
| University of Auckland | 23 | 8 | 34.78 |
| University of Canterbury | 14 | 5 | 35.71 |
| University of Otago | 15 | 4 | 26.67 |
| University of Waikato | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Urban Intelligence Limited | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 11 | 4 | 36.36 |
| Wakatu Incorporation | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| X-craft Enterprises Limited | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Diversity data for the 2025 Endeavour Fund investment round
MBIE collects diversity data of applicants, and that data can be accessed and view through our Diversity Data Dashboard. This dashboard allows selection of diversity data for individual funds, including Endeavour Research Programmes and Endeavour Smart Ideas.