Applications for R&D Experience Grants (approx. $12,000) open on 13 July, offering manufacturers the opportunity to engage talented students, support innovation projects, and build future workforce capability.

Did you know? Many manufacturers are already doing R&D without realising it. That process improvement you've been meaning to tackle, or the product tweak your team's been testing, could well qualify. You don't need a dedicated lab or a formal research programme — everyday innovation and improvement work is often exactly what these grants are designed to fund.

One Northland business, marine tech company Naut, discovered this firsthand. One of the first things they accessed was an R&D Experience Grant for a summer intern in their first year of operation — and that student still works with them today. Since then, they've hosted multiple interns, with several going on to full-time roles. As their CEO puts it, students took on projects the business simply wouldn't have had the time or resources to tackle otherwise.

https://www.northlandnz.com/business/business-stories/naut

Not sure if your project qualifies, or how to frame your application? Support is available to help you shape your project and put your best case forward — you don't need to navigate the process alone.

What you'll need to apply:

  • Nature of business – a summary of your business history and an outline of your current products and services
  • R&D activity – your R&D activities over the last 12 months, and your planned R&D activities for the next 12 months
  • The R&D project – an outline of the project the student will be contributing to, and the role they'll play in it
  • The benefits – how your business will benefit from employing the student, and how you'll support their professional development across both technical and soft skills

Applying is simple and often a prompt response to a submission (this can vary). Visit the R&D experience grant to review the programme details and application requirements. Once you've applied for the grant, take the next step by posting an internship or student opportunity through the new Future Makers Career Guide Platform which has a dedicated Summer Jobs Portal, helping you connect directly with students seeking industry experience.

We’re excited to share with you the new Future Makers Career Guide Platform – a one-stop hub designed to help young people explore the wide range of opportunities available in New Zealand manufacturing.

More than just a digital careers guide, the platform brings together career pathways, employer profiles, work opportunities, resources and real-world stories to help students discover where they fit in our sector. It also provides a growing foundation for connecting future talent with industry and helping businesses engage with the next generation of manufacturers.

The Summer Jobs Portal allows students to search opportunities by region and helps businesses of all sizes showcase the exciting careers available in manufacturing.

👉 Applications for R&D Experience Grants open 13 July.

👉 Check out the new summer jobs page: www.amanz.org.nz/career-guide