Updates to AUT Innovation Fund Initiatives: Evolving to Support Your Research
Innovation is rarely a straight line. As ideas grow and change, the support behind them needs to evolve too.
That is why AUT Ventures has made some exciting updates to our Pito Mata | Potential and Tīmatanga | Initiate grant programmes. Whether you need an extra set of specialised hands to get a project over the line, or funding to take an industry partnership to the next level, here’s how these AUT Innovation Fund initiatives can support your research this year.
Pito Mata Grants: Now open to the wider postgraduate community
When we first launched the Pito Mata | Potential Grants, the goal was to pair MBA students with AUT academics to explore the business potential oftheir research. It’s a fantastic way to give students real-world commercial experience while providing researchers with vital market insights.
But we realised the opportunity for collaboration goes far beyond business students.
This is why the scope of the Pito Mata grants has been expanded. We’re now facilitating connections between AUT researchers and the entire postgraduate student body.
What does this mean for your research?
If you’re working on a project but your pathway to impact needs skills from outside your area of expertise, a Pito Mata grant can help. We’ll work to match you with a postgraduate student who has the exact skills you need, and who is looking for a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) project to complete their degree.
For example, you might be a brilliant health researcher who needs:
- A Master of Computer and Information Sciences studentto build a prototype app for your clinical trial.
- A Master of Marketing studentto design a campaign to launch your new community initiative.
- A Master of Design student to develop a design concept for your medical device.
It is a true win-win. You get dedicated and specialised support to progress your research, up to $1,000 for project costs, and our postgraduate students gain invaluable experience applying their studies to real-world, impactful projects.
Tīmatanga Grants: Funding for True Industry Collaborations
The Tīmatanga | Initiate Grant is designed to fund early-stage AUT research on a problem faced by an outside non-academic partner. The goal is simple: to help create future commercialisation and impact opportunities.
After a flurry of exciting applications in the first quarter of 2026, we currently have funding available and are actively seeking new applications from AUT researchers.
Is this grant a good fit for you?
If you have identified a real-world problem and are collaborating with a committed, non-academic industry partner who will work with you to bring your solution to life, this grant is for you.
Tīmatanga grants range from $5,000 up to $40,000 and can be used to cover standard research costs, including prototyping (materials and services), research assistant time, and travel.
What we look for is a credible pathway to realisation. We want to see that your industry partner has deep experience with the problem you are solving and is genuinely committed to using the project results if it is successful.
One researcher who has already put this funding opportunity into action is Associate Professor Farhaan Mirza from AUT’s School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences:
“The Tīmatanga grant enabled us to partner with startup Soterra and apply our research and technology expertise to co-develop a construction intelligence AI application. Our application aims to help builders improve compliance and avoid failures during building inspections by leveraging New Zealand construction guidelines and historical data from previous projects.”
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you need a postgraduate student to help build out your project, or funding to support a burgeoning industry partnership, AUT Ventures is here to help you navigate the process.
Because Tīmatanga grants are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, we strongly advise checking the current funding status with us before preparing an application.
To discuss a Pito Mata collaboration or arrange a pre-application meeting for a Tīmatanga grant, contact the AUT Ventures team today at ventures@aut.ac.nz.