Support for innovation and R&D
Join us in shaping the future from Aotearoa New Zealand.
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We're calling on visionary entrepreneurs, pioneering researchers, global businesses, and forward-thinking investors to collaborate with us. Our focus is on unlocking innovation in areas where New Zealand leads the world — from harnessing space-based data to revolutionise agri-tech, to advancing hazard resilience, ocean science, and space debris research. If you're ready to make an impact, New Zealand is your launchpad.
Research and development
There are opportunities to grow our satellite design and manufacturing capability and our space science, technology and engineering research activity. Our universities are actively involved in space-related research.
Funding and support opportunities
Australia–New Zealand Collaborative Space Programme
Launched in 2024, this programme is a partnership between MBIE and SmartSat CRC, Australia’s leading space research organisation. It funds 6-month feasibility studies addressing environmental and agricultural challenges through satellite technologies. Up to NZ$5 million is available over three years to support progression to long-term collaborative research.
Funded feasibility studies include:
- SilverEye (University of Auckland) – satellite imaging for ecosystem recovery
- University of Canterbury – GNSS-based soil moisture sensing
- Scion – integrating Indigenous knowledge with satellite data for fire risk management
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research – hyperspectral data for pasture condition assessment.
NASA–New Zealand Joint Research Programme
Under the NASA–New Zealand Joint Research Programme, MBIE and NASA are co-funding collaborative projects that use satellite data to address challenges in climate, biodiversity, and natural hazards. Five projects have received NZ$5.6 million over three years, building on earlier feasibility studies and strengthening strategic ties between New Zealand and NASA.
German Aerospace Center (DLR) Collaboration
New Zealand also maintains a strategic partnership with DLR, the German Aerospace Center, supporting joint research in Earth observation, satellite systems, and aerospace technologies. These collaborations are facilitated through the Catalyst Fund and bilateral agreements.
Endeavour Fund
The Endeavour Fund is New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund, investing in research with transformative potential. Space-related projects funded in recent rounds include:
- Solar Tsunamis– next-generation space weather prediction and response
- Upper atmosphere climate monitoring – improving extreme weather forecasting
- Methane emissions tracking – supporting carbon accounting and environmental resilience
The fund supports both Smart Ideas (early-stage innovation) and Research Programmes (large-scale, long-term projects), with over NZ$183 million invested in 2025 across diverse sectors including space, AI, and clean energy.
Explore all funded projects and upcoming opportunities:
Check back on this page for future R&D support opportunities as they become available.