About Rutherford Discovery Fellowships

The Rutherford Discovery Fellowships was set up to support the development of future research leaders, and assist with the retention and repatriation of New Zealand's talented early- to mid- career researchers.  It operated under the Terms of Reference issued by the Minister of Science and Innovation.

The scheme was set up in a way that will promote multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary links across the science and innovation sector. The Fellowships develop and foster the future leaders in the New Zealand science and innovation system by encouraging their career development and by enabling them to establish a solid track record for future research.

As of 2024 the Rutherford Discovery Fellowship has been discontinued. MBIE has introduced a new suite of Aotearoa New Zealand Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships, which will replace the Rutherford Foundation, Rutherford Discovery, and James Cook Research Fellowships from 2024.