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

Working on something that'll inspire and contribute to a thriving engineering profession? Apply for a funding boost via the Grant Programme for the August round of funding.

Applications will remain open year-round, with funding decisions made approximately quarterly in August, November, February and May.

APPLY NOW

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.

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 for the first round will be assessed by the Foundation Trustees and will be assessed on the extent that the project/initiatives meet the following criteria:

  • It aligns with our vision of a thriving, healthy and/or enduring engineering profession.
  • Benefits and/or advances the engineering profession.
  • It's well defined – in respect of objectives, timeframes, deliverables, budget and how the funds will be spent, and the extent to which the project goals match the scale of funding requested.
  • The application acknowledges the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and reflects those principles in the project.
  • It has the potential to enhance diversity and inclusion within the profession.
  • It raises the profile of engineering in Aotearoa.
  • The applicant has a proven track record of delivering projects on time and on budget or will be closely supervised by someone that has this track record.
  • Applicants must be over the age of 18 (or sponsored by someone who is), or a non-profit legal entity.

Assessments will be made using the following decision-making principles: fairness, respect, equity, relevance and engagement of the engineering community, and responsible management of funds.

The matrix we'll be using to make decisions

What will I need to do if I am successful?

If you’re successful, we’ll ask a couple of things of you:

  • Within 12 months of receiving your grant, we’ll ask you to participate in a webinar and/or provide us with a short write up of your project or initiative that we can share through our communication channels. We want to know about what you did, the outcomes, and what’s next. This is so we can share your important mahi far and wide and celebrate the good work you are doing.
  • We may ask you to help us choose the next round of Grant Programme recipients. This process will be facilitated by a member of the Foundation Board. If this happens, we’ll provide you with all the information and support you need to make good decisions. We think that you know the needs of the profession and we trust you’ll make great choices.

Still have questions? Get in touch

2024 recipients

Six Grant Programme applications received funding from the Foundation in 2024, all contributing to systemic change and providing support for engineering's present and future.

  • 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.

  • Fellow Northlander, 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.

  • 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).

  • 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, a retention programme for Māori professionals, received funding to continue development, 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, 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.

2023 recipients

In 2023, the Foundation made funding available for five projects. You can read about them here

Questions? Get in touch