The Government has handed out $133 million to support 47 science research projects.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says the money is going to industries working on biological products, energy, minerals, the environment and health.
The grants are from the science investment fund, set up to help turn research projects into commercial reality.
"The successful proposals so far range from research into combating the PSA bacterial disease in kiwifruit to enhancing the resilience of underground infrastructure in Christchurch," Mr Joyce said.
"In the `smart ideas' category is a project led by a young researcher to develop a clean energy storage technology - ideas like this can have significant commercial potential but they have to get to the point of becoming commercially viable."
NZN