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 International Relationships Scheme ("the Scheme") as specified in this notice.
Objective of the Scheme
The objective of the Scheme is to effectively leverage international research, science, and technology (RS&T) relationships through increased participation by
New Zealand in the global science arena.
The Scheme will support RS&T that is intended to be of benefit to New Zealand and will enhance New Zealand's credibility.
The Scheme will aim to develop reciprocal funding schemes with our priority countries.
Indicators of Success
If successful, the Scheme will generate and support the uptake of RS&T that will strengthen the international connectivity of New Zealand's science capabilities internationally by:
- increased connectivity relationships with science teams from New Zealand and abroad in areas of science priorities and potential economic growth; and
- enhanced existing and establish new reciprocal funding schemes in order to provide maximum benefits for
New Zealand's research sector focusing on the priority areas in the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology's International Strategy 2009-2012.
The above indicators will be measured by the Foundation at a sector level and will provide some indication of the success of the Scheme through regular evaluations.
Nature of the Scheme
The Scheme will achieve its objectives by supporting RS&T in the following area:
1. Bilateral Partnerships - winding down the commitment to co-invest with international partners in research programmes under IIOF.
2. Increase the access to funding, scientific skills and technological capabilities that New Zealand is able to source from other countries.
Tools for Allocating Funding
RS&T supported under this Scheme must in each case fit the following tool1:
- Science-led contestable funding - investing through a contestable process in RS&T and related activities.
Estimated Funding
An estimate of the amount of funds required to be
allocated by the Foundation for the purposes of the Scheme is $4.18 million in 2010/11, excluding GST. Actual funding available will be published each year in the annual Estimates of Appropriation.
Estimated Period of Operation
I estimate that the Scheme will operate for a minimum of three years from 1 July 2010; however, I anticipate reviewing this notice by 1 July 2011.
Monitoring Agency
The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology will monitor and review the Scheme.
Performance Measures
Annual performance measures for the Scheme will be published in the annual Estimates of Appropriation. Additional performance measures to measure progress will be specified in the Output Agreement.
Dated this 1st day of June 2010.
HON DR WAYNE MAPP, Minister of Research, Science and Technology.
1A description of each tool is contained in the Supplementary Notice
of Tools for Ministerial Schemes under section 8A of the Foundation
for Research, Science, and Technology Act 1990, published in the
New Zealand Gazette on the same date as this notice.