Business Research and Development

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At Victoria we have many experts who can help you develop new ideas and products for your business. Our researchers work successfully with government agencies, district health boards, Crown Research Institutes and small and large businesses to provide advice, support and solutions.

Technology Transfer Voucher Programme

Victoria University is an accredited R&D organisation in the Technology Transfer Voucher programme run by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI). This means you could receive 50 percent of your R&D spending with Victoria back from government.

Businesses can apply for vouchers to access external R&D expertise in high value manufacturing and services in the following areas:

  •  novel materials, manufacturing and applications
  •  health and medical technologies
  •  information, communications and digital technologies
  • agri-technologies.

Vouchers pay 50 percent of R&D costs, with the business paying the other half. Voucher contributions can range from $30,000 to $1 million. If you have a research project worth $200,000, for example, you could be eligible for a $100,000 voucher. To find out more about the scheme visit www.msi.govt.nz/voucher.

To find out how we can help you access funding through the Technology Transfer Voucher programme,

please contact us.

Hire a summer research intern – and we'll pay half

Do you need help solving a tricky problem or investigating a smart idea? It may be easier than you think to access brainpower from Victoria University.

Over the summer months, Victoria partners with companies, government agencies and professional groups to help organisations tackle projects they don’t have the resources to do themselves.

As part of the University’s Summer Research Scholarships Programme, Victoria’s top students are available for 10-week research placements: Victoria contributes $3,500 and your organisation contributes the other $3,500.

This is a chance for you to gain an edge from students’ research and development skills while giving students a taste of what it’s like to do practical research.

A wide selection of skills are on offer with summer scholars’ study areas including science and engineering, humanities and social sciences, commerce, architecture, education and law.

If you are interested in hosting a student researcher, please contact Emily Close for more information (including relevant deadlines).

Summer Research Scholarships

Emily Close, Victoria University Scholarships Office

Email: emily.close@vuw.ac.nz

Tel: +64 4 463 5233, extension 7058

Our Successful Collaborations

Nanosilver Fabrics Solve Germ Problem

When Wools of New Zealand wanted an innovative new product to sell to their European customers they partnered with a team led by Professor Jim Johnston, of Victoria’s School of Chemical and Physical Sciences. Read more...

Searching for a Cure for Multiple Sclerosis

Dr Anne La Flamme, an Associate Professor from Victoria’s School of Biological Sciences, is working with biotech company Innate Therapeutics, which has developed a new drug that can be used to turn off immune mechanisms that lead to autoimmune diseases such as MS. Read more...

Novel Sensing Technology Used in New Orthotic Device

Lower Hutt based company Im-Able Ltd is working with researchers in the School of Engineering and Computer Science to develop an intelligent rehabilitation device for people who have had strokes. Read more...

Wetox - Turning Sludge Into Revenue

Wetox is a technology developed by Victoria researchers, in association with a local meat processing company Taylor Preston, to break down smelly, liquid organic, methane-producing waste in a process that can recover valuable resources and create reusable by-products. Read more...


Contact Us

We have specialist staff available to help you access funding and to help make working with Victoria University researchers simple and satisfying. If you have a project that requires the skills and knowledge of our staff, please talk to us now.

General Business Enquiries
Ian McIntosh, Manager, Research, Commercial & IP
Email: address
Tel: +64 4 463 5535

Business Research Enquiries and Opportunities
Rochelle Finlay, Senior Portfolio Manager, Research Office
Email: address
Tel: +64 4 463 5295