Welcome
A column by Chief Executive Murray Bain
Kia Ora and thank you for reading this latest issue of Foundation News—one of the ways that we keep you informed at a time of unprecedented change in the science system.
In a snapshot of these changes, we are implementing the CRI Taskforce recommendations, introducing the new Business Assistance products and establishing the new Ministry of Science and Innovation.
And of course we have continued to invest in the best of RS&T that aligns with the Government’s economic growth agenda.
Since the last newsletter we have approved more than $48 million per annum for public-good science and technology research projects.
The Foundation Board has also approved a record amount of TechNZ investments in business research and development (R&D) over June and July. This funding will be matched by firms—a commitment that signals their strength of confidence in the R&D process.
We have also recently opened applications for the Technology Development Grant—one of the new business assistance products announced in Budget 2010.
2010/11 Public Good investment rounds
Throughout this very busy time of new funding opportunities and investments, we have decided not to run the main contestable processes for 2010/11. Instead, we will extend the contracts that mature on 30 September 2011.
This decision was made in consultation with the Minister Dr Wayne Mapp, and recognises the need to us to implement all the changes across the system, rather than rush them through.
In early August I wrote to research organisations to inform them of this decision. This letter has been published on the Foundation’s website here along with an overview of what processes will and will not run over the next investment year.
Ultimately, this decision means that the science sector will be better placed to focus on the changes I have mentioned above. The investment rounds in 2011/12 will be fully aligned to the Minister’s priorities and the new science system as a whole.
I have had the opportunity to discuss this, among other topics, in person accompanied by Lesley Middleton, Acting Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. Over August we also met with Crown Research Institute boards for equally stimulating and robust discussions.
I encourage you to keep in touch with us, through your choice of direct contacts here, by subscribing to the TechNZ Update e-newsletter, or by following us on Twitter for more immediate news.
topIntelligence: RS&T news
Iwi at the heart of freshwater investment round
The potential of the Vision Mātauranga policy was realised further this year with remarkable outcomes in the Foundation’s Freshwater investment round. 
As a result of a new strategic approach to the Freshwater round, over the life of the contracts, $14.3m was awarded to research that is relevant to Māori—an eleven-fold increase from previous years.
Justine Daw, Director Sector Investments Environment, says that one of the strongest criteria for the Freshwater round was that the research is relevant to the people and organisations that use it in making decisions about the environment.
Read about Massey University’s study of the Manawatu River catchment (image), awarded in this investment round, here.
topInvesting in the best to tackle the possum problem
The Foundation has approved total investment of $3.06m per year in research to control New Zealand’s possum population and to manage the incidence of TB among cattle.
A total of five research projects to be undertaken by scientists at Landcare Research, Lincoln University and AgResearch have been awarded in this round.
Dr Richard Templer, General Manager of the Industry and Environment sector investment group, says the Foundation has refined its strategic research direction to better meet the needs of the agencies responsible for possum and TB control.
Read more about this here.
topAddressing pressing questions with $48m in research investments
The Foundation approved more than $48 million per annum for public good science and technology investments in its main 2010 investment round.
Foundation Chief Executive Murray Bain says this investment round demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to investing in research that offers both value for money and maximum benefit to New Zealanders. Read more about this here.
topFunding boost for Antarctic science
Crown Research institutes NIWA, Landcare Research and GNS have been awarded $15.32 million for Antarctica research programmes over the next four years.
Research, Science and Technology Minister Dr Wayne Mapp says the research will yield invaluable insights into the continent’s unique ecosystem. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says that knowledge generated by New Zealand scientists is critical to fisheries management and other activities in the region.
Read the Ministers’ press release here.
topRadar: Events and Opportunities
Website made with manufacturers in mind
BusinessNZ has launched a new website designed specially to help manufacturing businesses in New Zealand to raise their game. A key feature allows manufacturers to search R&D, prototype work and business services underway among research institutes.
Visit www.manufacturingnz.org.nz.
topStudent internships open for summer
TechNZ’s undergraduate student internship programme (November 2010 to February 2011) for now open for registrations.
There are 185 internships available for senior undergraduate students to undertake internships with innovative New Zealand companies. The programme is open to all companies with R&D at the centre of their growth strategies.
A fact sheet about the programme, application time-lines and registration forms are available online here.
topNZ International Business Awards
You may just have time to book a table for the NZ International Business Awards, hosted by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and to be held in Auckland on 13 October.
The awards celebrate New Zealand business success and recognise professional excellence and innovative practice. TechNZ is sponsoring the four special categories – best use of research and development, best commercialisation of IP, best use of design and most innovative approach to international business.
The finalists will be announced by on 8 September and more information can be read here.
topAt Our Place: Organisational news
Establishment of the Ministry of Science and Innovation
Work is progressing well toward the establishment of the new Ministry of Science and Innovation that will merge the Foundation with the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.
The Order in Council that will establish the Ministry on 1 November 2010 has been signed by the Governor General; a chief executive officer will also be appointed by this date.
The State Sector Management Bill was introduced in the House in the week starting 23 August. We expect the Bill to be passed by the end of this year, and to come into effect by 1 February 2011. At this time the new Ministry will become operational, and the Foundation and the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology will cease to exist.
The Minister Dr Wayne Mapp has agreed in principle to establish two investment boards for the new Ministry—a Science Board and an Innovation Board. The boards will ensure investment decisions are made in a transparent, fair, and independent manner. The Minister may consult with other Cabinet ministers prior to establishing the boards.
The Minister will approve the scope and terms of reference for each board in September and these documents will then be gazetted and made publicly available.
More information about the new Ministry can be read here.
topNew Christchurch office address
The Foundation has moved premises in Christchurch. The new physical address is Level 5, MFL House, 749 Colombo St, Christchurch. The postal address and telephone and fax numbers remain the same.
topSubscribe to TechNZ Update
TechNZ Update is a new e-newsletter featuring news of TechNZ investments and opportunities, profiles of innovative New Zealand businesses, and updates on Government initiatives.
Please email info@frst.govt.nz if you would like to subscribe to this. We also welcome your ideas for articles, and submissions.
topFollow us on Twitter and LinkedIn
We update our TechNZ Twitter page daily with links to events, opportunities and news of interest to you.
LinkedIn members are invited to join the TechNZ group; search for the group from your LinkedIn page, or join LinkedIn as a new member and go from there.
topInvestment Update
Applications open for the Technology Development Grant
New Zealand businesses are now invited to register their interest in applying for the Technology Development Grant, one of the new business assistance products announced in the Budget 2010.
The Foundation will run a one-off competitive investment process to allocate the $22.5 million of funding available in 2010 for the Grant.
The Request for Proposals is available as a downloadable PDF (PDF; 234kb) on the TechNZ web-pages. Please read the Technology Development Grant fact sheet (PDF; 110kb) and eligibility criteria, and Q&A document before registering.
Read more about the Technology Development Grant here.
topCRI Taskforce recommendation implementation
Work underway to implement the CRI Taskforce recommendations includes:
- Discussions with Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) to draft Statements of Core Purpose and to explore the integration of the pan-agency Vision Mātauranga policy into these.
- A second round of meetings with external government officials and CRIs about core funding has been completed, and indicative figures discussed by the Ministerial Reference Group.
An overview of the Taskforce and its recommendations can be read here.
topProcess Improvement Project
Many of the Foundation’s investment processes have been simplified and improved since the start of this project in late 2008. The project will continue with the launch of the new Ministry of Science and Innovation.
Process improvements include:
- a streamlined contracting process that benefits both researchers and the Foundation
- an annual reporting process that is less onerous to research organisations
- an assessment of ways to shorten and improve our investment processes.
With the establishment of the new Ministry by early 2011, we will ensure that these improvements are embedded across our investment process and will continue with the project. The Foundation would like to thank those involved in this project for their invaluable advice and input.
topNew priorities for Research, Science and Technology
On 1 July the Government’s new funding priorities for the research science and technology sector went live. These were set by the Government in December 2009 in response to feedback from RS&T stakeholders, and include research outcomes and additional capabilities and infrastructure priorities to meet the needs of a more successful science system.
These priorities give the Foundation, and the imminent new Ministry of Science and Innovation, more clarity for its strategic investment planning and interaction with research organisations. More information about the priorities can be read on the Foundation’s website here.
topEye on Innovation: TechNZ news
Nanotechnology meets fish skin in New Zealand first
A start-up Auckland firm is applying nanotechnology to a fisheries by-product to manufacture 100% biodegradable, antibacterial air filters—a New Zealand first in an expanding global market.
Revolution Fibres is close to commercialising an air filter made of nano-particle sized fibres that are ‘spun’ from collagen extracted from discarded hoki fish skins. Read more about this here.
topGetting Rex up and running with TechNZ funding
A robotic exoskeleton that enables wheelchair users to stand, walk and even climb stairs has been launched in New Zealand with the support of TechNZ funding.
As a start-up firm, Rex Bionics was awarded TechNZ funding of $1,115,587 in 2008 to build Rex Version 1—the product launched in New Zealand o widespread media attention. Read more about this here.
topThe TechNZ Innovation Forum 2010
Held at the Auckland Museum on 29 June 2010, the inaugural TechNZ Innovation Forum bought together 350 business leaders, R&D managers and entrepreneurs.
One of the highlights of the day was a keynote video presentation by Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures. Mr Khosla’s keynote address can be viewed as a video, as can a video of Forum highlights that features interviews with US angel investor Bill Payne, Yike Bike inventor Grant Ryan and Lanzatech founder Dr Sean Simpson among others.
Watch the videos here.
topInvesting in crime-fighting software
Jade Software has received funding from TechNZ to further develop an award-winning software product that is used by law enforcement agencies, government departments and companies in more than 29 countries.
The software was first developed in association with the Australian Federal Police, and is now a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region. Read more about this here.
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