Direction To: The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology ("the Foundation").
Under section 8A of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Act 1990, I direct the foundation to allocate funds in accordance with the TechLink Scheme ("the scheme") specified in this notice.
This notice revokes and replaces the 10 July 1997 notice which established the TechLink programme within the Technology New Zealand Scheme.
Nature of the Scheme
The scheme is intended to create awareness of, and facilitate access to, technology and technological capabilities that are new to firms1.
The intended outcome of the scheme is an increased awareness and understanding of the value that technological innovation can deliver to their businesses.
The scheme should target all firms, with an emphasis on small and medium sized firms2.
Objectives of the TechLink Scheme
The objectives of the TechLink scheme are to:
- increase the awareness of, understanding of, and access to new technology and technological capabilities critical to successful firms now and in the future;
- provide firms with access to and information about public and private suppliers of technology, and technology services, within New Zealand and overseas;
- reduce transaction cost barriers associated with providing:
- technology appraisal services to small and medium sized firms;
- access to new technology and to sources of guidance and assistance to firms commencing technology based projects.
Mechanisms of Support for the TechLink Scheme
The foundation will allocate funds to support projects that meet the scheme's objectives. These funds can be allocated to a firm (or a group of firms). The foundation may require a firm(s) to fund up to 50% of the project costs. The project should be aimed at increasing awareness and understanding, by firms, of the value that technological innovation can deliver to that firm or other firms.
The scheme will target support to those projects that, in the foundation's view, best meet the following criterion:
- have the potential to create awareness of, and facilitate access to, technology or technological capabilities that are new to the firm(s).
The foundation will have full discretion to manage the allocation of funds for the scheme in a way that achieves the outcome and objectives of the scheme. The type of projects that could be supported may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
- publication, promotion and pro-active delivery of technology success stories and case studies on a national and a regional basis; or
- delivery of technology information and advisory services (including planning) to firms commencing technology-based projects; or
- facilitating networks of firms based around technology or with the potential to do so.
All projects funded pursuant to this notice must comply with the terms of the notice published in the New Zealand Gazette on 22 June 2000, No. 67, page 1485, that records the Voluntary Moratorium Discussed Between the Government and Persons Involved in the Field Testing or Release of Genetically Modified Organisms.
Funding to be Allocated
Funding for the scheme will be $2.694 million (G.S.T. inclusive) in 2000/01 financial year. Funds available for the scheme will be published each year in the Estimates of Appropriations.
The foundation will have the discretion to allocate up to 10% of funding for this scheme:
- to the Technology for Business Growth scheme or the Technology for Industry Fellowship Scheme; or
- between the Technology for Business Growth Scheme and the Technology for Industry Fellowship Scheme
if all schemes involved in the allocation are appropriated within the same non departmental output class under the Public Finance Act 1989.
The Minister of Research, Science and Technology's written approval is required before the foundation can allocate 10% or more than 10% of the scheme to any other scheme issued by the Minister of Research, Science and Technology under section 8A of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Act 1990.
Period of Operation
The scheme will commence operation on 1 July 2000 and is estimated to continue for a period of 5 years from 1 July 2000.
Monitoring Agency
Monitoring of the scheme, including implementation of this notice 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.
Dated at Wellington on the 22nd day of June 2000.
PETE HODGSON, Minister of Research, Science and Technology.
1A firm is defined as a body corporate or other entity that has a legal personality or existence distinct from those of its members (including sole traders) and is resident in New Zealand. For the purposes of this scheme, a firm excludes any Crown owned body corporate or other entity (including but not limited to those that are governed by the Education Act 1989, or the Local Government Act 1974 or the Crown Research Institutes Act 1992).
2A small and medium sized firm is defined as a firm that has an annual turnover of up to and including $50 million.