Catalyst Fund — Seeding
Funds early New Zealand international partnerships under Catalyst Seeding through joint travel and workshop support aimed at building later large collaborations.
Catalyst Seeding funds small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships with international counterparts, with the aim of growing them into full collaborations that can later be supported through mainstream funding. It sits at 5 to 10 percent of total Catalyst spend and is part of MBIE's broader effort to build global connectivity for New Zealand science. Typical support includes travel and exchange grants, joint workshop funding, and other low-dollar enablers that establish the basis for larger strategic or third-party investments. The stream is grant-based, runs on an annual investment plan, and usually expects partnered proposals rather than solo applications. Individual investments are aimed at areas agreed with international partners and aligned with domestic science priorities. This stream suits teams that are early in a cross-border relationship but can show why a larger collaboration is plausible. The public case is strongest when the partnership has a clear topic, mutual value, and a credible route to later funding. Where relevant, Vision Mātauranga should be reflected in the proposal design rather than appended at the end.
No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Annual.