Aimed at enabling doctoral research students in the STEM subject areas to acquire multi-disciplinary and practical training, the initiative will receive $20 million in funding over the next five years.

Up to 30 research students will be supported via this scheme each year. In addition to undertaking industry-relevant research, students in each cohort will take part in an unparalleled programme of extra-curricular learning, to develop professional skills including innovation and entrepreneurship, so when the students graduate, they are primed to be the future leaders in their sector.

Students will work on real-world research projects, embedded in partner-organisations. Each year’s cohort will have a research theme aligned with national priorities. The themed cohorts will allow development of a community of expertise across the country.

Speaking about the Applied Doctorates Scheme, Professor Neil Dodgson, Dean, Faculty of Graduate Research, said, “We’re very pleased to be co-hosting the Applied Doctorates Scheme. The New Zealand universities already know how to do a traditional PhD, and do it well. This new scheme gives us the resources and the impetus to build on that expertise to do something even better, which has the potential to transform the way doctoral training is delivered and to build a national, multi-disciplinary research community.

“Research students will be equipped with the types of practical skills that employers are looking for in graduates. The networks and skills the students will build during their three-year PhD will open career opportunities beyond academia. Over the longer-term, the programme will improve connections between academia, industry, iwi, and government-funded research organisations. This new scheme will produce a new generation of PhD graduates who will go on to be leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. We will expect great things of them.”

The Applied Doctorates Scheme will be co-hosted by Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and Massey University.

The Ministry is working through details of the scheme and contracting with the Universities, with the aim to invite applications for PhD students later in 2025.