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Funding overview

Funding opportunities overview

An overview of included sub-programmes and key dates are given in the tables below:

Table 1: Annual call timelines

Call

Open Date

Close Date

Sub-programmes

KOHI-TĀTEA

JANUARY

13 February 2025

17 April 2025

  • International Leader Fellowships
  • JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships
  • New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme
  • Julius von Haast Fellowship 

HŌNGONGOI

JULY

24 July 2025

16 October 2025 

  • 17th HOPE Meeting (TBC)

Please note: Specific sub-programme information is updated at each call release.

Table 2: Catalyst: Leaders sub-programmes

Sub-Programme

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 Award

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 Fellowship**

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

JSPS HOPE Meeting

Supports excellent PhD students and/or young researchers to attend the HOPE meetings with Nobel Laureates in Japan

5 days

Flights, accommodation, and meeting registration

Up to 5 

 

*It is expected that 75% of new International Leader Fellowship contracts adheres to a Catalyst Fund priority research area.

** Please note this programme is fully funded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)