Direction to: The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (“the foundation”).
Under section 8A of the Foundation for Research, Science, and Technology Act 1990 (“the Act”), I direct the foundation to allocate funds in accordance with the Research Consortia Scheme (“the scheme”) as specified in this notice.
This notice replaces all previous directions to the foundation for funds to facilitate research partnerships between private firms and public research organisations through Research Consortia issued under section 7(1) of the Act.
Nature of the Scheme
The scheme will facilitate public/private research partnerships.
Partnerships built through this scheme are intended to increase the competitiveness of New Zealand firms and sectors through undertaking useful research.
This scheme will support research across three broad industry areas:
? Food and fibre;
? manufacturing; and
? infrastructure.
Scheme Objectives
Projects that meet the scheme’s objectives are eligible to receive funds from the foundation.
The scheme’s objectives are to:
? facilitate public/private research partnerships that provide early user engagement and increase private investment in New Zealand; and
? invest in research through user-led research consortia in partnership with research providers. Partnerships will have clearly defined pathways to the implementation and commercialisation for their intended research outcomes.
In making funding decisions, the foundation will fund projects that best meet the following criteria:
? High scientific and technological quality of research;
? potential benefit to New Zealand through innovation;
? clearly defined partnerships and pathways to the implementation of the research outcomes;
? a fit-for-purpose science track record;
? potential to build RS&T capability; and
? potential to increase the level of innovation within user groups.
Allocation of Funding
The foundation will have full discretion to manage the allocation of funds for the scheme in a way that will achieve the objectives of the scheme.
Processes for allocating funds through this scheme are not considered to be negotiated investments as described in
the direction to the foundation, pursuant to section 103 of the Crown Entities Act 2004, dated the 4th day of May 2006 and published in the New Zealand Gazette, 18 May 2006, No. 47, page 1183.
Funds available to the scheme will be published each year in the Estimates of Appropriations.
Performance Measures
The performance measures for the scheme will be published in the annual Estimates of Appropriation.
Period of Operation
This notice is effective from 3 September 2007. The scheme will operate for a minimum of five years from the date of this notice. Its continuation and mode of operation will be reviewed after five years.
Monitoring Agency
Monitoring and review of this scheme, including the implementation of this ministerial notice by the foundation and the extent to which the scheme achieves its stated objectives, will be carried out by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.
Dated this 24th day of September 2007.
HON. STEVE MAHAREY, Minister of Research, Science and Technology.