The Division of Health Sciences promotes research excellence by encouraging the development of products, services, and policies that provide health, social, and economic benefits.
Support for staff within the Division of Health Sciences
Health Sciences Translational Research Grant
This grant is valued at NZD$50,000–75,000 and is awarded annually. The aim of the grant is to generate intellectual property and result in a patent application. All academic research staff within the Division of Health Sciences are eligible to apply.
Translational Research Grant details and application
Academic Leadership Development Programme ( ALDP )
Academic leaders, and in particular heads of departments, have a significant and pivotal role at the University of Otago.
ALDP is one of a number of resources available to leaders and it focuses on fostering excellence in academic leadership. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting new Heads of Department as they take up the role.
Academic Leadership Development Programme
Patents
Patent sources and support with research commercialisation (University of Otago Library Subject Guides)
Research and Enterprise Office
The University of Otago Research and Enterprise Office acts as the conduit for fostering and encouraging research links between commercial entities, funding bodies and researchers. Our Business Development Managers (external relations) identify and protect University discoveries with commercial potential, and facilitate relationships with innovative companies.
- Business Development managers and their roles
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Intellectual Property Rights of Graduate Research Students policy
Otago Innovation
Otago Innovation Limited (OIL) helps University of Otago Researchers transfer their technology to the world.
OIL is a University owned company with the purpose of negotiating and agreeing the arrangements for commercialisation of intellectual property owned by the University.
OIL runs a NZD$100,000 Proof of Concept Grant competition annually. Whether your idea is for a diagnostic tool, a new therapy, software, medical device or a new method of teaching people, OIL may be able to help you get that idea out there.
Centre for Innovation ( CFI )
The Centre for Innovation provides an innovative environment for the rapid development of new products and processes with commercial applications. It is located at 87 St David St, Dunedin (at the intersection with Castle St).
The building houses a cluster of knowledge-based enterprises within a city that has a distinctive reputation for fostering innovators, especially the development of biotechnology and IT companies.
Opportunities for students
Research and Enterprise Office
The University of Otago Research and Enterprise Office acts as the conduit for fostering and encouraging research links between commercial entities, funding bodies and researchers. Business Developmeb Managers (external relations) identify and protect University discoveries with commercial potential, and facilitate relationships with innovative companies.
- Enterprise managers and their roles
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Intellectual Property Rights of Graduate Research Students policy
Summer Internships
Research and Development Student Grants (Callaghan Innovation) provide support for New Zealand undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain and develop their technical skills in a commercial R&D environment, while bringing capability into New Zealand businesses.
He Kākano: A student entrepreneurial experience for Māori business starters
If you are a senior Māori undergraduate student at the University of Otago, or you have almost completed your qualification at Otago Polytechnic, and you are keen to combine matauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with proven start-up business skills, then check out what He Kākano has to offer.
He Kākano (Otago Business School website)
Audacious: Growing young business
Audacious is for students of all disciplines at the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic—not just business students. Audacious is about nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit.
You are welcome to attend workshops, speak to our business coaches and use the Startup Space (see below) even if you don't enter our Audacious Business Challenge.
Momentum: A student-led programme for student entrepreneurs
Momentum is a national student-led investment committee program which can provide access to world class advice, connections, and investment opportunities to students and start-ups across New Zealand. It is for student entrepreneurs with an idea at any stage, whether it's only a concept, a start-up company, an invention prototype, etc. Momentum is part of the government's Commercialisation Partner Network. The Momentum investment committee has a majority of student members, with diverse backgrounds and expertise for providing advice to presenting project teams.
Contact the Otago Momentum committee
Support for emerging entrepreneurs and ideas
The Startup Space
The Startup Space (22 Leithbank, Dunedin) offers the community a place to work on startup ideas, meet like-minds, seek advice and collaborate. The Space welcomes anyone working on a business idea, irrespective of age and study-status. It is a hub for all things startup and provides a space for the business community to engage with the entrepreneurs of the future.
If you are working on a business idea, or are in the early stages of starting a business, you can work out of the Space, hire an office for interviews or private meetings, hold meetings at the boardroom table, and attend workshops and events.
powerHouse ventures
powerHouse ventures combines the best attributes of angel investment in seed-stage ventures with business incubation. They have a network of investors across the country, and now have operations in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Melbourne.
Their incubator (at 39 Creyke Rd, Ilam, Christchurch) is a high-energy pressure-cooker enabling their companies to share knowledge, benefit from economies of scale, and get access to our award-winning support.
The Distiller
The Distiller is a nationwide network which helps tech startups achieve growth through collaboration, sharing, and support from the community. There are startup labs in both Dunedin and Auckland.
Callaghan Innovation
Callaghan Innovation accelerates the commercialisation of innovation by firms in New Zealand. They have the talent, resources, knowledge and connections to help businesses turn ideas into internationally marketable products and services more quickly and successfully.
They give businesses a single front door to the innovation system, working in partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, economic development agencies, business incubators, universities, polytechnics, Crown Research Institutes, the venture capital community, and industry associations.
Undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities
Research and Development Student Grants provide support for New Zealand undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain and develop their technical skills in a commercial R&D environment, while bringing capability into New Zealand businesses.