The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) online portal is now open for applications for the Catalyst Strategic: New Zealand–China Strategic Research Alliance 2026 funding round.

MBIE will fund new joint research projects between New Zealand and China in the areas of environmental technologies, and health and biomedical science. Up to $330,000 over three years is available from the Catalyst Fund to support six projects, with projects expected to start in June 2027.

The Health Research Council (HRC) has previously been responsible for administering the portion of this programme that focused on biomedical research. MBIE will be administering the 2026 round onwards.

Further information on the fund, eligibility, application process and call for proposals can be found here.