Auckland Academy Secures $12.8M in National Research Council Discovery Grants
University academics lead 18 research projects spanning AI, climate science, and public health.
The National Research Council has awarded 18 Discovery Project grants to teams led by Auckland Academy academics, totalling $12.8 million in funding for the 2026 scheme.
The funded projects span artificial intelligence, climate adaptation, advanced materials, and public health — reflecting the university's growing strength in cross-disciplinary research.
"These grants recognise the calibre of our researchers and their commitment to tackling real-world problems," said Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor David Lin. "From developing AI tools for early disease detection to modelling climate impacts on Pacific Island nations, this work will deliver tangible benefits."
Notable projects include a $1.2 million study on machine learning for earthquake prediction led by Professor Mei Chen, and a $900,000 investigation into sustainable building materials by Dr. James Hartley.
