Explore as a

Share our content

Current open call

Catalyst: Leaders Kohi-tātea January Call is now open.

On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Royal Society Te Apārangi has opened the Kohi-tātea January 2025 Call for Catalyst: Leaders. Catalyst: Leaders supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means.

Catalyst: Leaders provides funding for a number of pre-existing and new sub-programmes. For detailed information please refer to the Catalyst Leaders guidelines available below.

Funding Available

Sub-Programmes

Type

Brief Description

Duration

NZ$ Funding 
(excl. GST)

Awards available per call

International Leader Fellowships



Supports exceptional individuals from any country outside New Zealand to catalyse science and innovation capability and capacity in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years 1 to 3 years

Per annum:

$20,000 Salary support for Fellow

$20,000 Research support

$10,000 Host admin

Up to 3

Julius von Haast Fellowship 

Supports an internationally recognised researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year 3 years

Per annum:

$20,000 Salary support for Fellow

$20,000 Research support

$10,000 Host admin

 Up to 1

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships

Supports young and excellent New Zealand postdoctoral researchers doing research in Japan  12 – 24 months Flights, insurance and living allowance Up to 4

New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme

Supports the development of research linkages with China by enabling New Zealand researchers to visit Chinese research organisations.

4 weeks (2-6 weeks)

 

 

Flights and daily living allowance  Up to 10

Eligibility

  • The Proposal must be made by a New Zealand-based research organisation or a New Zealand-based legal entity representing a research organisation, unless otherwise agreed by the Society

  • In addition to meeting the general eligibility requirements, the Proposal must meet all specific Sub-Programme eligibility criteria listed in the Guidelines

Priority research areas

The Catalyst Fund investment plan released in December 2024, identifies six priority
research areas for the Fund. These are:

  • Quantum technology
  • Health and biomedicine
  • Biotechnologies
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Antarctic research
  • Space and Earth observations

Subject to the number and quality of submitted applications, proposals aligning with the Catalyst Fund priority research areas are expected to make up 75% of awarded Catalyst: Leaders contracts.The remaining 25% of awarded contracts can be in any field of
research (including social sciences and the humanities). Please see the specific programme requirement for information on what priority research areas apply to the different programmes.

Closing Date

  • Applications to all programmes are now open.
  • Closing Date: Thursday 17 Paenga-whāwhā April 2025, 12:00pm Noon (NZST). 

Submit an Application

  • Applications to all programmes must be made to the Royal Society Te Apārangi via the Catalyst: Portal, please contact your Research Office for a URL Link to the Catalyst: Portal.
  • Templates are available for downloading via the Catalyst: Portal, please contact your Research Office for a URL Link to the Catalyst: Portal.
  • Catalyst Leaders Guidelines
  • For inquiries, please contact International.Applications@royalsociety.org.nz