Notice of Amendment of Ministerial Schemes and Introduction of New Ministerial Scheme Issued Under Section 8a Foundation for Research Science and Technology Act 1990 1 The New Zealand Science and Technology Post-Doctoral Fellowships Published in New Zealand Gazette: 26 August 1993. Amendment published: 11 August 1994. This scheme is further amended by the inclusion of the following words: ``Funding The New Zealand Post-Doctoral Fellowships Scheme has $2.535m to allocate in 1996/97.'' 2 Technology for Business Growth Published in the New Zealand Gazette: 17 August 1995. This scheme is amended as set out below. The amended scheme applies only to contracts made after the issue of this notice to the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. Technology for Business Growth 1 The Nature of the Scheme The Technology for Business Growth Scheme (TBG) is intended to develop, or assist in the development of industry skills relating to research, science and technology and to promote or facilitate participation in the development of technologies and the application of the results of research or technological developments. This scheme is designed especially to catalyse changes in management practices and attitudes towards technology through ``learning by doing'' (e.g. by part funding enterprise access to and adoption of technology). Better performing enterprises will increase the possibility of a sustainable and appropriate level of private sector investment in technology creation and adoption; enhanced collaboration between public sector research agencies and industry; and ultimately enhanced economic performance and employment. In general, the scheme is intended to assist enterprises that do not use technology competently or strategically in their business activities. Assistance will be offered in the form of: part funding of the placement of scientists and technologists into companies; part funding joint research projects between enterprises and suitable research agencies; assisting enterprises to access the existing knowledge base, including that generated by the government's own investment in public good science but not exclusively; and assisting enterprises to establish and enhance their own research and technological capability. Research agencies who might participate in the scheme include: Crown Research Institutes Government Departments Research Associations, and other similar organisations Polytechnics Universities 2 The Objectives of the Technology for Business Growth Scheme The objectives of the scheme recognise that there are too few firms strategically managing technological innovation, and there are still poor linkages between the private sector and research institutes. The specific objectives of the expanded Technology for Business Growth Scheme are to: encourage New Zealand enterprises (particularly those companies that are not strategically managing their technology requirements) to utilise r&d and technology as part of competitive strategy; encourage New Zealand enterprises to use the existing technological knowledge base where appropriate, particularly that expertise and human capital created by the Government's investment over the years in public good research; and encourage New Zealand enterprises to establish in- house research, technological and innovative capabilities, and to integrate the use of those capabilities into their overall competitive strategies. The scheme will aim to fund projects which will preferably result in a permanent change in the behaviour of the enterprise involved and, through commercially successful application of technology, provide an effective example or role model for other enterprises in the same industry or sector. The scheme could also demonstrate an approach to overcoming a generic problem (actual or attitudinal) with a sector or group of enterprises. The broad criteria or constraints which will apply to all programmes within the scheme are as follows: The scheme will not target specific sectors; rather there will be a general requirement to ensure that the scheme spreads over a number of sectors rather than concentrated on just a few. The scheme will be aimed at funding initiatives which result in establishing or enhancing technological capability or capacity within enterprises, and which would not otherwise receive adequate support, i.e. funds will not support projects which would have gone ahead anyway. Additional criteria applying to all programmes other than the Technology Transfer Programme are: In general, user contribution of funding should be more than 50% of the cost of the project, subject to variation according to project needs. This demonstrates a credible and sustainable end-use commitment to the particular proposal. A key element of the programmes is that proposals should be strongly user linked and market driven. This should be demonstrated principally through the provision of user funding and the commitment of a user to take up the end product of the project. This will create an increase in private sector investment as a result and also a strong commitment to overall management of the projects supported. To achieve these objectives, interlinked programmes are to be established, to be administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. The following programmes apply within the Scheme: Co-operative and In-house Research and Technology Programme This programme is aimed at companies that are not strategically managing their technology requirements. The Co-operative Research programme will support co- operative research between research institutions and companies including the placement of scientists and technologists in private sector organisations. The programme will also encourage joint venture technology exploitation between enterprises and public sector science agencies to help in overcoming barriers to technology uptake. It is expected that this programme will foster links between enterprises and research organisations with an aim of overcoming the lack of scientific and technological skills in enterprises. It is primarily designed to encourage enterprises to use scientific capabilities (particularly staff) to assist embryonic research programmes and innovation in those enterprises. Proposals can be initiated by the enterprise but in collaboration with the research organisation providing the capability. In addition to the criteria set out above, the following additional criteria apply specifically to this programme: All proposals should be jointly made between an enterprise (or group of enterprises) and a suitable research institution. However the industry partner should be clearly in the lead role to ensure ``ownership'' of the outcome. Enterprises with effectively no or low levels of in- house r&d capacity or little record of r&d investment but demonstrating a commitment to a change in approach will be encouraged to apply. The In-house R&D programme will co-fund research and technological development conducted by enterprises with no link to a public research agency with the principal aim of establishing an effective in-house research or technological capacity (i.e., the programme will not support the use of an established capacity with no element of extension or expansion.) This programme is intended to catalyse important elements of strategic technology management in industry through the accumulation or extension of relevant technological skills and expertise. The following criterion applies specifically to the In- house R&D programme: enterprises with effectively no or low levels of in- house r&d capacity, or planning to use funding to add a new dimension to existing capacity, will be encouraged to apply. Technology Transfer Programme This programme is designed to promote the uptake in New Zealand enterprises of technology contained in, or able to be extended from the existing knowledge base. The programme will include technologies or practices developed by the Government's historical investment in science in New Zealand but will extend to other sources of technology as well. The following criteria apply specifically to this programme: Proposals must have the potential to achieve long term benefits to the industry sector and the economy. To maximise the impact of the programme across the whole economy, no single sector will be favoured (i.e., it is open to all sectors of the economy). To ensure this, the programme will need to demonstrate broad sector coverage. The programme will favour technology transfer to multiple (as opposed to single) end users. Where one- on-one technology transfer is being supported, demonstrable spin-offs must be able to occur to other similar users. Funding may be channelled through ``brokers'' or consultants (which may be CRIs, specialist firms, industry associations or appropriately qualified individuals) who are able to establish a credible link between the knowledge base and groups of users. Funding should complement and not replace current funding for technology transfer activity being made by the private sector or other Government agencies. Proposals should generally be end use driven with demonstrable links to these users. The programme will aim to assist in overcoming generic problems in different industry groups or sectors rather than assisting individual users or suppliers of technology on an ad hoc basis. 3 Integration of proposals Although the programmes are separately defined they overlap to some degree, and it is recognised that an integrated approach may often be sensible. Proposals may therefore fall into more than one category and this will not be a negative factor in proposal assessment. 4 Funding for the Scheme The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology will be appropriated $7.714 million through Vote: Research, Science and Technology for the 1996/97 financial year which will be disbursed to participants through the allocative processes adopted by the Foundation. Future appropriations for this Scheme will be dependent on the annual budgetary process of Government. The indicative funding split amongst the three programmes is as follows: Programme $ Allocated Co-operative Research Projects and In-house Capabilities $5,928,000 Technology Transfer $1,786,000 Total $7,714,000 The Foundation will have the discretion to vary this funding split by 10% plus or minus to any one programme. Variations (either cumulative or singular) of greater than 10% will require the prior approval of the Minister of Research, Science and Technology. For 1996/97, the Foundation can allocate and contract to provide funding up to or equivalent to the amount appropriated in the Estimates for 1996/97, for the first year of approved projects. Where the projects are to run for more than one year, funding for subsequent financial years will be met from appropriations provided in those subsequent financial years. Where approved projects do not proceed, or are prematurely terminated, funding approved for these projects but not expended may be reallocated to other approved projects. Such reallocations to new projects may be made in the current (i.e. 1996/97) or subsequent financial years. The Foundation may assume that the overall appropriation for the TBG scheme will not be reduced in future years without adequate notice being given, although no guarantees can be given in this respect. 5 Monitoring of the Scheme Monitoring of the scheme, including the implementation of this Ministerial Instruction by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and the extent to which the Scheme achieves its stated objectives will be carried out by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. 6 Period of Operation This Scheme will operate each year until further notice. 3 The New Zealand Graduates in Industry Fellowships Published in New Zealand Gazette: 17 August 1995. This scheme is amended as set out below. The amended Scheme applies only to contracts made after the issue of this Notice to the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. The New Zealand Graduates in Industry Fellowships Scheme 1 Introduction The Nature of the Scheme This scheme is intended to assist in developing skills relating to research science and technology. It will provide funds for well-performed graduates in science, technology and engineering to undertake project-based Masters, PhD or other post-graduate research projects, with the projects performed in New Zealand industry. 2 The Objectives of the Scheme upgrade scientific and technological skills and competencies in New Zealand companies; increase the number of postgraduate scientists, technologists and engineers working in professional roles in New Zealand industry; improve linkages between firms and universities; create a stronger interest among graduates for careers in New Zealand industry. 3 Mechanisms of Support The objectives of the scheme will be achieved by providing funding for postgraduate researchers in science, engineering or technology who are conducting a major part of their research project in industry. 4 Targeting of Support This scheme is aimed at science, technology and engineering graduates who are New Zealand citizens or holders of New Zealand residence permits and who have demonstrated potential to be innovative professionals in industry. This potential may be evident through demonstrated practical achievements, and not only by narrowly academic criteria. Researchers will be awarded funding for a period normally of one to four years. Joint applications will normally identify the academic supervisor, and the mentor in the company, and include their statements of commitment to the project. The scheme will provide funds for the researcher and will contribute to other costs associated with the project. Funding levels are to be determined by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, on the advice of an Advisory Committee, on a case by case basis. In making its decisions, the Foundation will optimise the number of fellowships in accordance with the objectives of the scheme. 5 Administration and Selection The Fellowships will be administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, using the mechanism of an Advisory Committee chaired by a member of the Foundation, and consisting of science and engineering researchers and industrialists who have experience supervising joint research projects of the kind supported by this scheme. 6 Funding The scheme has $2.560m to allocate in 1996/97 for 35 to 45 fellowships. 7 Monitoring The scheme will be monitored by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. 4 The Maori Fellowships Scheme Tuapapa Putaiao Maori Fellowships 1 Introduction The Nature of the Scheme The Tupapa Putaiao Mori Fellowship Scheme is intended to develop positive role models in order to promote the participation and achievement of Mori in New Zealand science, technology and engineering, at school and under-graduate level. The Scheme will develop or assist in the development of skills relating to research, science and technology among Mori, especially young Mori, by providing opportunities for talented graduates to study for higher degrees. It will assist Mori to gain the scientific qualifications needed to pursue a research career in science, technology, or engineering. It aims to create a stronger interest among Mori school leavers and under- graduate students for research careers in science and technology by supporting the development of Mori scientists, technologists and engineers who can act as role models. 2 The Objectives of the Scheme The objectives of the scheme are: to create positive role models in science, technology and engineering for young Mori; to increase the number of Mori graduating with Masters or PhD degrees in science, technology and engineering disciplines from the late 1990s onwards. 3 Mechanisms of Support The objectives of the scheme will be achieved by providing funding support for Mori post-graduate students undertaking post-graduate degrees in science, technology or engineering at New Zealand tertiary institutions. 4 Targeting of Support Fellowships will be available to undertake post-graduate degrees in any area of science, engineering or technology, but excluding medicine. However, emphasis will be placed on areas of science engineering or technology where participation by Mori, as evidenced by numbers of Mori graduates, is particularly low. In the first year of this scheme (1996/97), the scheme will be further restricted to exclude post-graduate research in the humanities and social sciences. This restriction will be reviewed before the start of the 1997/98 financial year. The scheme is targeted towards supporting graduates who can adequately demonstrate Mori descent or whakapapa, who are involved in the Mori community, and have its support. Fellows under the Scheme will be selected primarily on the basis of: academic record potential to be a good scientist, technologist or engineer Consideration will also be given to the following: the scope for intellectual and scientific development of the individual Fellow; the logistical, intellectual and cultural support offered by the tertiary institution; the extent to which the Fellow will contribute to the aims of the Fellowship Scheme by creating a positive role model as a Maori scientist or technologist. Fellowships are tenable at any New Zealand institution with the ability to grant postgraduate qualifications in the areas of science, technology and engineering covered by the scheme. 5 Administration and Selection The scheme will be administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology using the mechanism of an Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will be chaired by a member of the Foundation and consist of members who have a range of research expertise in science, engineering and technology. At least 50% of the Advisory Committe shall be Mori. The Foundation may contract some administrative responsibilities to tertiary institutions. 6 Funding The Tuapapa Putaiao Mori Fellowship Scheme has $300,000 to allocate in 1996/97. This will provide for up to 20 Fellowships in 1996/97. 7 Duration It is estimated that the scheme will run for at least six years, in order that sufficient numbers of Fellows can complete post-graduate degree programmes. 8 Monitoring The scheme will be monitored by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. 9 Reporting Information reported annually will include the number of Mori supported by the scheme completing post-graduate degrees, the distribution of post-graduate research across science, technology and engineering disciplines, the demographic distribution of Fellows, and the range of extra-curricular activities undertaken by Fellows. Dated at Wellington this 9th day of July 1996. SIMON UPTON, Minister of Research, Science and Technology.