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Science collections and infrastructure

This gazetted document is the Ministerial Direction for investing Foundation funds in the Science Collections and Infrastructure Scheme from 1 July 2010.   

Objective of the Scheme

The objective of the Scheme is the maintenance and retention of databases, collections and significant research infrastructure.

The Scheme will support research, science and technology that is intended to be of benefit to New Zealand.

Indicators of success

If successful, the Scheme will support nationally important research, science and technology by:

  • ensuring the provision of nationally significant databases, collections and assets, including maintaining the viability and longevity of samples and the maintenance and development of assets and associated activities, for example adding new samples and data, and upgrading facilities.
  • increasing the use of databases and collections by fostering co-ordination of software tools, protocols, metadata standards, and ‘soft’ infrastructure such as catalogues that enable and regulate information movement and processing.
  • ensuring that research vessels are well maintained and available to researchers when required.

The above indicators will be measured by the Foundation at a sector level and will provide some indication of the success of the Scheme through regular evaluations.

Nature of the Scheme

The Scheme will achieve its objectives by supporting research, science and technology in the following two areas:

  • Nationally Significant Databases and Collections; and
  • Research vessels.

Tools for Allocating Funding

Research, science and technology supported under this Scheme must in each case fit the following Tool (PDF; 313kb):

  • Long term non-contestable funding - using non-contestable processes to invest in research, science and technology and related activities.

Estimated Funding

An estimate of the amount of funds required to be allocated by the Foundation for the purposes of the Scheme is $22.38 million in 2010/11, excluding GST.  Actual funding available will be published each year in the annual Estimates of Appropriation.

Estimated Period of Operation

The Scheme will operate for a minimum of three years from 1 July 2010; however I anticipate reviewing this notice by 1 July 2011.

Monitoring Agency

The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology will monitor and review the Scheme.

Performance Measures

Annual performance measures for the Scheme will be published in the annual Estimates of Appropriation.  Additional performance measures to measure progress will be specified in the Output Agreement.