|
|||||
New Zealand Engineering 1998 June
The Foundation for Research,
Science and Technology
|
| The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, which
reports to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology, has three
roles, to:
• Invest public funds in research and development • Encourage technological innovation in industry • Provide independent advice to the New Zealand Government on science and technology matters. The Foundation is responsible for 60 percent of public expenditure on research and development in New Zealand, investing approximately $310 million each year. This investment, which is in line with government policies and priorities, covers almost all fields of science, including the social sciences but excluding defence and health. Investments are made through three programmes:
|
Rod McKenzie Trucks
|
• Technology New Zealand
• Science and Technology Fellowships.
Each of these contribute in different ways to the creation of new knowledge, the building of skills and expertise in New Zealand, and the use of research for social and economic benefits.
The Public Good Science Fund currently invests $260 million in research, a figure which is expected to grow to $330 million by 2000-2001.
Priorities for the Fund are defined by the Government's Statement of Science Priorities and cover 17 sectors ranging from animal industries to Antarctic research. The Statement is reviewed every five years.
Allocations are made every two years and projects are usually supported for two, four or more years. They are based on a peer and merit review process, using independent referees and six advisory committees whose members are drawn from science providers and end users. Final decisions are made by the Foundation Board. An extensive review process is used both in allocating funds and evaluating performance. An increasing number of reviews, particularly of large, multidisciplinary research projects, are being carried out by expert panels.
Public good science:
• Increases knowledge and understanding of physical, biological and
social environments
. Develops skills bases and expertise important to New Zealand
. Generates outputs of future benefit to the country
. Is unlikely to be funded adequately from other sources.
Technology New Zealand is the Foundation's business funding scheme. It's a one-stop-shop of programmes designed to help business, and small enterprises in particular, to develop and adopt new technology. It provides funding support for:
• Technology assessment
. Technological consultancy projects
. Technology planning projects and business networks
. Technology acquisition investigation
. Technical feasibility projects
. Product or process development projects
. Strategic development projects.
Investing $15.6 million each year, Technology New Zealand is helping break down the barriers that limit businesses' ability to grow and prosper through technology.
The Foundation administers two Fellowships schemes. First, the New Zealand Science and Technology Post-Doctoral Fellowships which are highly sought after awards for research by New Zealanders, locally or overseas. Second, the Maori Fellowships which help support Maori postgraduate students undertaking research and study programmes at New Zealand tertiary institutions.
For more information contact the Foundation for Research, Science and
Technology, PO Box 12-240, Wellington, New Zealand
Telephone +64 4 498 7800 Facsimile +64 4 499 2568
