Grant opportunity
Catalyst: Seeding Hōngongoi July Call 2026
Catalyst: Seeding supports new small and medium international pre-research partnerships that can develop into larger research collaborations.
- Funder
- Royal Society Te Apārangi / New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- Call opens 30 July and closes 22 October 2026
- Call opens 30 July and closes 22 October 2026: Oct 22, 2026
- Award
- General projects up to NZD 80,000 over two years; New Zealand-Japan projects up to NZD 30,000 per year for up to two years
- Applicant
- Proposals led by a New Zealand-based research organisation or its representing legal entity to establish a new strategic partnership with an international collaborator.
- Discipline
- General and Multidisciplinary
- Region
- New Zealand / International collaboration
- Posted
- Jul 30, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The July round includes the general Catalyst: Seeding programme and an expected New Zealand-Japan joint research route.
Who can apply
The New Zealand application must be submitted by a New Zealand-based research organisation. Bilateral applicants must also satisfy the partner-country requirements published for the sub-programme.
What it supports
- Quantum technology, health and biomedicine, biotechnology and artificial intelligence.
- Antarctic research, space and Earth observation, and other eligible disciplines.
- Research exchanges, project expenses and workshops that establish international partnerships.
Funding and duration
- General projects may receive up to NZD 80,000 in total for up to two years.
- New Zealand-Japan projects may receive up to NZD 30,000 per year for up to two years.
- Allowable costs include travel, research expenses and hosting meetings or workshops.
Call opens 30 July and closes 22 October 2026
Call opens 30 July and closes 22 October 2026: Oct 22, 2026
How to apply
New Zealand researchers should obtain a nomination from their research office and submit through the Catalyst Portal by 22 October 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
Catalyst: Seeding enables New Zealand researchers to build strategic international partnerships that are too early or too small for conventional project funding. The July round prioritises several national research areas while retaining limited scope for excellent proposals in other disciplines.
Eligibility
The New Zealand application must be submitted by a New Zealand-based research organisation. Bilateral applicants must also satisfy the partner-country requirements published for the sub-programme.
Funding and benefits
General projects may receive up to NZD 80,000 in total for up to two years.
New Zealand-Japan projects may receive up to NZD 30,000 per year for up to two years.
Allowable costs include travel, research expenses and hosting meetings or workshops.
Themes and supported activities
Quantum technology, health and biomedicine, biotechnology and artificial intelligence.
Antarctic research, space and Earth observation, and other eligible disciplines.
Research exchanges, project expenses and workshops that establish international partnerships.
Deadline and timeline
Call opens 30 July and closes 22 October 2026: Call opens 30 July and closes 22 October 2026: Oct 22, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
New Zealand researchers should obtain a nomination from their research office and submit through the Catalyst Portal by 22 October 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.