Smart Ideas successful proposals
The 2026 investment round was an opportunity for eligible existing contract holders to extend their contacts for one year. 45 applications were approved for contract extensions and additional funding.
On this page I tēnei whārangi
The successful proposals for the Smart Ideas Endeavour Fund were selected by the Science Board, an independent statutory Board, following internal MBIE assessors reviews and evaluations of proposals.
The contract extensions start on 1 October 2026.
2026 Smart Ideas successful proposals
The successful contract extensions for 2026 are listed below.
Auckland University of Technology
Project title: Printable Chipless RFID Tag Sensor on Biodegradable Materials for Seafood Quality Monitoring
For more information see:
Auckland University of Technology Smart Ideas funded projects
Lincoln University
Project title: Unlocking the potential of microbial bioactive compounds to promote forest health
For more information see:
Lincoln University Smart Ideas funded projects
Massey University
Project title: Matatuhi: Unlocking the forecasting potential of environmental tohu via ensemble systems models
For more information see:
Massey University Smart Ideas funded projects
New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited - formerly AgResearch
Project title: Superior protein biocomposites through tailored gradients of nature-inspired microstructure
Project title: Application of cold-plasma, hyperspectral-imaging and machine-learning to advance NZ’s cell-based protein industries
For more information see:
New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Smart Ideas funded projects
New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited - formerly Plant & Food Research
Project title: Developing a pheromone tool for the eradication of Australian redback spiders
Project title: Smart, adaptive grapevine rootstocks for a changing world
Project title: A new era for biocontrol: artificial eggs for in vitro parasitoid rearing
Project title: Novel multisensory push-pull insect pest control system: combining ultrasound repellents and pheromone/kairomone attractants
For more information see:
New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Smart Ideas funded projects
New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Limited - formerly GNS
Project title: What controls gas-driven volcanic eruptions? An experimental approach
For more information see:
New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Smart Ideas funded projects
New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Limited - formerly NIWA
Project title: Towards accurate quantification of New Zealand’s methane emissions from waste and agriculture
Project title: How do native super-producers of organic matter mitigate aquatic metal mixture toxicity?
Project title: Better runoff and hazard predictions through national-scale snowmelt forecasting
Project title: “Abundance creates abundance” – incentivising rehabilitation of soft-sediment fisheries
Project title: Redesigning anchoring practices for a more sustainable shipping industry
Project title: An alkaline solution to acidification and carbon uptake in New Zealand waters
For more information see:
New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Smart Ideas funded projects
New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association Inc
Project title: Transforming fault detection in the leather industry through deep-learning-based hyperspectral imaging
For more information see:
New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association (Inc) Smart Ideas funded projects
The Cawthron Institute Trust Board
Project title: Boosting shellfish resilience to diseases: vaccination as a novel approach.
Project title: XNA-based biosensors for low-cost marine toxin screening
Project title: Applying a functional evidence approach to prioritise lake restoration initiatives
Project title: Controlling the synthesis of microalgal polyphosphates to develop wastewater phosphorus upcycling technologies
For more information see:
The Cawthron Institute Trust Board Smart Ideas funded projects
The Research Trust of Victoria University of Wellington
Project title: An artificial intelligence framework for development of novel selective kinase inhibitors
Project title: Information measurement for explainable artificial intelligence
Project title: A powerful, flexible, and portable system for production of high-value molecules
Project title: Targeting acid ceramidase to prevent irreversible neurological damage in Krabbe disease
Project title: Machine Learning for Emergency Medical Dispatch: A Data Driven Approach
For more information see:
The Research Trust of Victoria University of Wellington Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Auckland
Project title: Hyper-explosive Eruptions: Why can small eruptions go hyper?
Project title: AI-based behavioural analytics for live sports broadcast
Project title: Revolutionizing shellfish nursery culture using tidally driven upwelling systems
Project title: Ion Pipette Aspiration Chips for Soft Colloidal Micromechanics
Project title: Photonic device for Varroa control in NZ beehives and beyond
Project title: Image-guided photonics probe, a medical device for accurate real-time prostate cancer detection
Project title: Carbon Footprints Underwater
Project title: Microgravity injury modulation device
For more information see:
University of Auckland Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Canterbury
Project title: Enhancing the sustainability of dairy farming using advanced methane biofiltration
Project title: Redefining the future of forensic drug testing using NMR
Project title: Long-lived, high-performance organic batteries for a greener rechargeable world
Project title: Extending the Boundaries of Digital Signal Processing: AI-powered Fourier Transformation Alternative
For more information see:
University of Canterbury Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Otago
Project title: Mitigating Indoor Agricultural Ammonia Emissions with Wool Composite
Project title: Next generation condensing heat exchanger technology: design, development and demonstration
Project title: Developing a minimally invasive species identification protocol for taonga tūturu
For more information see:
University of Otago Smart Ideas funded projects
University of Waikato
Project title: Physically plausible record-shattering drought events in a warming Aotearoa
Project title: Safe, solid-state hydrogen storage technology – Enabling New Zealand’s zero-carbon emissions target
Project title: Probiotic Inoculants for Seaweed Hatcheries and Aquaculture
Project title: Smart-antigens for ovine antiviral hyperimmune milk production
For more information see: