Short answer. This page is a route-map guide, not an eligibility assessment. Use it to decide which official source or adviser to check first.
What it is
The R&D Experience Grant supports a short-term student internship connected to a defined R&D project. It may help where a company already has an active R&D programme and can supervise a student doing relevant technical work.
Who it may suit
- Companies with an active R&D programme
- Businesses that can supervise a student on site or in the business
- Teams with a defined technical project
- Companies wanting short-term R&D capability over summer or a fixed project window
Who it may not suit
- Idea-only businesses with no R&D programme
- Companies unable to supervise a student properly
- General admin, sales or marketing roles
- Projects with no technical or scientific uncertainty
What to check first
- whether your business has at least one R&D FTE
- whether the student work is genuinely R&D-related
- whether timing matches the current round
- whether you can meet payroll and reporting obligations
Official sources to check
Sources and review status
Last reviewed: June 2026.
Official sources checked: IRD, MBIE, business.govt.nz, NZTE, NZGCP, EECA and MPI, as relevant.
NZ Funding Pathways is a free resource funded by PH Capital Advisory.
General information only. Check the current official source and speak with the relevant adviser before acting.
This page provides general information only. It does not provide tax, accounting, legal, financial, investment or eligibility advice, and it does not guarantee funding.