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
expand the Technology for Industry Fellowship Scheme ("the scheme"), as specified in this notice, which revokes and replaces the notice published in the New Zealand Gazette, 6 July 2000, page 1815, that last amended the scheme.
Nature of the Scheme
The scheme supports science and technology based projects that develop individuals' skills and knowledge in commercial research and development environments.
The outcome should be an enhanced level of scientific and technology based human capital in participating firms1.
The scheme will target all firms.
Objectives of the Scheme
The expanded scheme will support firms by one or more of the following objectives:
? Creating new research, science and technological capabilities within New Zealand firms.
? Building research and development (R&D) absorptive capacity within New Zealand firms.
? Fostering connections between New Zealand firms and existing research providers2 (both public and private).
? Improving researchers' understanding of the business environment within which R&D is undertaken (and vice versa).
? Developing individuals' skills and knowledge of commercially focused R&D environments.
? Increase the chances of business success through the appropriate use of expert assistance.
Mechanisms of Support
The foundation will use the scheme to allocate funds to:
? provide salary support for the secondment of individuals between a firm and a research provider to undertake a commercially-focused science or technology project, management of an R&D project, or commercialisation of an R&D project3;
? provide support for the placement of individuals
within firms or research providers to cover senior undergraduates, postgraduates, recent graduates, recent immigrants and experts to undertake a commercially-focused science or technology project, management
of an R&D project, or commercialisation of an R&D project; or
? provide a stipend for an individual to undertake a commercially-focused science or technology project, or
an R&D commercialisation project; while undertaking a postgraduate tertiary qualification.
The foundation may require a firm(s) to fund up to 50% of the project costs. More projects may meet the scheme's objectives than there are funds available. The foundation will fund those projects that, in its view, best meet the following criteria:
? They are supported by a firm(s) and, where necessary, are supported by an appropriate research provider; and
? the fellows will be of at least undergraduate level working towards a tertiary qualification, or be qualified in the fields of science, engineering, technology, R&D project management or R&D commercialisation, relevant to the project.
The foundation will have full discretion to manage the allocation of funds for the scheme in a way that achieves
the outcome and objective of the scheme.
Funding to be Allocated
Funds available for the scheme will be published each year in the estimations of appropriations.
The foundation will have the discretion to allocate up to 10% of funding for this scheme to the TechLink Scheme, the Technology for Business Growth Scheme or the Grants for Private Sector Research and Development Scheme, provided 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 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 expanded scheme will commence on 1 July 2004 and it is anticipated to continue for a period of five years.
Monitoring Agency
The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology will monitor the scheme, including implementation of this Ministerial notice by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and the extent to which the scheme achieves its stated objectives.
Dated at Wellington this 28th day of August 2004.
PETE HODGSON, Minister of Research, Science and Technology.
Notes
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.
2A research provider is defined as a public or privately owned organisation whose activity is scientific and technology-based research and experimental development.
3R&D project management and R&D commercialisation projects are to target R&D gaps, and may include experimental, and production development and intellectual property management. This extended scope does not extend to the management of non-technical projects, market assessments and developing market strategies etc.