The Grant Programme provides a means and financial support for initiatives that need funding and contribute to our vision of an enduring, healthy, thriving profession.
Applications are open... always.
Working on something that'll inspire and contribute to a thriving engineering profession? Apply for a funding boost via the Grant Programme for the next round of funding.
Applications remain open year-round, with funding decisions made in approximately May, August and November.
November assessments will consider applications submitted before Friday 30 October 2026.
Applications received after this date will be assessed in May 2027.
Eligibility
Projects and initiatives that facilitate system-wide change and provide impact at a profession level are most likely to receive grants. You also need to be a natural person or non-profit legal entity to receive funding. Companies, academic institutions and public agencies are not eligible. Applicants must be over the age of 18 (or sponsored by someone who is), or a non-profit legal entity.
How do I apply?
To make sure we have a good understanding about what you’re trying to do and how funding from the Foundation will help, you'll be asked questions about:
- You – ko wai koe
- Your project or initiative and why it’s important to you
- The overall budget and how much money you’re asking for
- Your timeframes
- Your experience with projects or delivering initiatives
- How you think your mahi aligns with our vision.
We'll also ask for two referees who can speak about your mahi and experience.
How will my application be assessed?
Applications will be assessed by the Foundation Trustees on the criteria outlined in the table below. Assessments will use the decision-making principles of fairness, respect, equity, relevance and engagement of the engineering community, and responsible management of funds.
| Criteria | Weighting |
|---|---|
|
Criteria
Alignment with the Foundation’s vision and strategy of a thriving, healthy profession |
Weighting
25% |
|
Criteria
Project definition and detail (including track record). This includes budget and timeframe clarity |
Weighting
25% |
|
Criteria
Reflection of and consideration given to principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi |
Weighting
20% |
|
Criteria
Relevance of the benefits to the profession, and/or the potential to advance engineering (including raising the profile of the profession) |
Weighting
15% |
|
Criteria
Potential to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within engineering |
Weighting
15% |
Still have questions? Get in touch
Recent recipients
| Project/Recipient | Purpose |
|---|---|
|
Te Waka Auaha – Akaroa Area School's STEM programme |
Purpose
To support the development of a sustainable, school-wide STEM and robotics programme that strengthens student capability in problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and engineering thinking, while increasing equitable access to future-focused learning pathways for students across Years 7–10. |
|
Pool Sharks Aquabots team |
Purpose
The Blenheim-based Pool Sharks will use their grant to compete at the SeaPerch International Challenge in the US. The team has designed and built an underwater robot capable of navigating obstacle courses and completing tasks and are excited to put it to the test. |
|
Rotorua Primary School's "TronBots" programme |
Purpose
Fund the purchase of 10 robotics kits to support TronBots, Rotorua Public School's hands-on engineering and robotics programme designed to engage students in STEM through practical design, problem-solving, and collaborative learning. |
|
University of Auckland Formula SAE Team |
Purpose
Funds will contribute to the team's funding requirements to participate in Formula Student Austria 2026 – competing against some of the best student racing teams in the world. |
|
University of Waikato Astronautics Club |
Purpose
To support UWAC to build on their 2025 competition success, building and testing Moa and Te Hikoikoi, two rockets designed to reach altitudes of 30,000ft and 10,000ft respectively. Test launches will be conducted in New Zealand in preparation for the Australian Universities Rocketry Competition in October 2026. |
|
Cahoots |
Purpose
Enhance the offering of technology-based tools and resources, programmes and makerspace environment for wāhine and gender minorities, encouraging participation in – and access to – STEM. |
|
STEAM-ED robotics club |
Purpose
The STEAM-Ed Charitable Trust will strengthen their robotics programme, with assistance from the Foundation, to inspire students aged 8–13 years at any stage of their robotics journey. |
|
Motatau School |
Purpose
Motatau School received funds towards an exciting trip for a team of students, all the way from Kawakawa in Northland to Washington DC. The team competed in the international SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Maryland with the underwater robot developed for the Te Taitokerau Aquabots competition. |
|
Sunny Perry |
Purpose
2023 Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize winner, and passionate year 13 student, Sunny Perry, attended the International Young Researchers Conference in Tokyo with support from the Foundation. At the conference, Sunny had the privilege of presenting her research and was inspired by connections she made with academics from Stanford, Columbia and Princeton universities. |
|
Tīkanga modules |
Purpose
The development of a custom Te Ao Māori learning module will progress with funding provided to educate engineers on the concepts of Tikanga (protocols and ways of doing) and Kaitiakitanga (stewardship). |
|
Small shake table |
Purpose
Public understanding and awareness of the issues around seismic activity in Aotearoa will increase with the construction of a small shake table in Queenstown. The mobile model is designed to be easily transported to cater to a range of audiences like schools, professionals and the general public. |
|
Māwhaiwhai |
Purpose
Continued development of Māwhaiwhai, a retention programme for Māori professionals, aiming to increase participating organisations' cultural awareness and uplift to embed and retain Māori professionals in a culturally safe and respectful manner. |
|
The Wonder Project |
Purpose
The Wonder Project, Engineering New Zealand's free schools programme, will continue their mission to inspire young Kiwis to get excited about STEM. Their grant will help ensure the science, technology, engineering and maths workforce of tomorrow is bursting with diversity and talent – starting by raising the aspirations of rangatahi today. |
|
He Rau Aroha |
Purpose
Continued collaboration of this rōpū of Māori consultants, scientists and engineers from across the private infrastructure sector, dedicated to giving back to Māori communities. He Rau Aroha walk alongside service providers and help forge meaningful pathways with whānau, hapū and iwi. |
|
2023 recipients |
Purpose
In 2023, the Foundation made funding available for five projects – read more about them. |
