Following the success of our inaugural call for projects and the outstanding response from New Zealand’s research and innovation sector, the Applied Doctorates Scheme (ADS) is excited to announce the themes for its next two annual calls.

This theme supports doctoral research that advances innovative STEM technologies and capabilities in aerospace, defence, and security, with clear connections to industry needs, civilian applications, and workforce development. Projects should align to national priorities around economic impact, resilience, and sovereign capability, with strong industry engagement and pathways o real-world adoption, and may include areas such as aerospace systems (including agritech and earth observation), secure communications and navigation, autonomous systems assurance, and technologies for operations in extreme environments such as space, polar, or disaster-affected settings.

Research under this theme should contribute to building industry-ready doctoral talent. The emphasis is on applied research that strengthens capability across sectors that are important for Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem while preparing graduates for impactful careers in industry, research organisations, and government. Where relevant, projects are encouraged to give effect to Vision Mātauranga. Relevant projects should demonstrate appropriate engagement and cultural safeguards.

This theme seeks doctoral research in biotechnology that bridges scientific discovery and applied innovation with strong industry partnerships and potential for economic and societal impact. Research areas may include bio-based materials, genetic and cellular technologies, sustainable food systems, and critically, bioprocess engineering and focus on scalable processes and systems that support commercialisation and translation of biological advances into products, services, or platforms that benefit health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

The theme emphasises STEM excellence, industry engagement, and talent development in areas where biotechnology intersects with commercial application and economic development. Projects should demonstrate how they build capability in sectors poised for growth, contribute to workforce readiness through applied training, and support Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovation objectives by helping produce doctoral graduates who are equipped to advance research, industry, and commercial outcomes. Where relevant, projects are encouraged to give effect to Vision Mātauranga. Relevant projects should demonstrate appropriate engagement and cultural safeguards.