1. Investment priorities for the 2013 science investment round and the 2013 Sandpit round
2. Criteria for proposals for science-led contestable funding
3. Criteria for proposals generated by a Sandpit process
Each notice contained in this supplement commences on the date of signature.
Investment priorities for the 2013 science investment round and 2013 Sandpit round
" 1. NOTICE TO THE SCIENCE BOARD
In this notice, I:
(a) specify under section 10(3)(b) of the Research, Science, and Technology Act 2010:
(i) that the Science Board is to make funding decisions on proposals for funding under the 2013 science investment round and generated in the 2013 Sandpit round; and
(ii) the areas of research, science, and technology, or related activities for which funding is available; and
(b) set criteria under section 8(1) of the Research, Science, and Technology Act 2010 for the assessment by the Science Board of proposals for funding:
(i) under the 2013 science investment round; and
(ii) generated in the 2013 Sandpit round.
" 2. 2013 SCIENCE INVESTMENT ROUND: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND OTHER MATTERS
2.1 Funding is available under the 2013 science investment round for research, science, and technology, or related activities that meet the eligibility criteria specified in clause 2.2.
2.2 For a proposal to be assessed in accordance with clause 3, the proposal must:
(a) be to undertake research, science, and technology, or related activities that are in an area specified in either Schedule 1, Schedule 2, Schedule 3, or Schedule 4 of this notice (the "relevant schedule");
(b) specify the investment mechanism ("Investment Mechanism") in the notice entitled "Criteria for Proposals for Science-led Contestable Funding" published
in the Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette, 5 December 2012, No. 146, page 4242 (the "Science-led Contestable Tool") under which the proposal is made;
(c) be made under one of the Investment Mechanisms for which funding proposals may be considered, as specified in the relevant schedule;
(d) relate to no more than one Investment Mechanism;
(e) meet any applicable requirements specified in the relevant schedule;
(f) meet any applicable eligibility criteria set out in the Science-led Contestable Tool; and
(g) meet any applicable timing, formatting, system or other similar administrative requirements imposed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in supplying administrative services to the Science Board under section 10(7) of the Research, Science, and Technology Act 2012.
2.3 The areas of research, science, and technology, or related activities referred to in clause 2.2(a) are derived from the 2013 Sector Investment Plans developed for each relevant research fund. These provide the strategic context for the investment priorities, research questions and other requirements.
" 3. CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSALS UNDER 2013 SCIENCE INVESTMENT ROUND
3.1 A proposal assessed as having met the eligibility criteria in clause 2.2 must be assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in the Science-led Contestable Tool, including the criteria specific to the relevant Investment Mechanism.
3.2 When having regard to how the proposal contributes to the mix of investments in respect of the relevant research fund for the purposes of clause 6(e) of the Science-led Contestable Tool, the Science Board must have regard, in addition to the matters listed in clause 6(e), to the extent to which the overall mix of investments is likely to best deliver research, science, and technology, or related activities in the areas set out in the relevant schedule to this notice.
3.3 The Science Board must make funding decisions that are consistent with any applicable requirements specified in the relevant schedule.
" 4. 2013 SANDPIT ROUND: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND OTHER MATTERS
4.1 Funding is available under the 2013 Sandpit round for research, science, and technology, or related activities that meet the eligibility criteria specified in clause 4.2.
4.2 For a proposal to be assessed in accordance with clause 5, the proposal must:
(a) be to undertake research, science, and technology, or related activities that are in an area specified in Schedule 5 of this notice;
(b) meet any requirements specified in Schedule 5 of this notice;
(c) meet any eligibility criteria specified in the notice entitled "Criteria for Proposals Generated by a Sandpit Process" published in the Supplement to the
New Zealand Gazette, 5 December 2012, No. 146, page 4251 (the "Sandpit Tool"); and
(d) meet any applicable timing, formatting, system or other similar administrative requirements imposed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in supplying administrative services to the Science Board under section 10(7) of the Research, Science, and Technology Act 2012.
4.3 The areas of research, science, and technology, or related activities referred to in clause 4.2(a) are derived from the 2013 Sector Investment Plan for the Environmental Research Fund. This provides the strategic context for the investment priorities, research questions and other requirements.
" 5. CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSALS UNDER 2013 SANDPIT ROUND
5.1 A proposal assessed as having met the eligibility criteria in clause 4.2 must be assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in the Sandpit Tool.
5.2 The Science Board must make funding decisions that are consistent with any requirements specified in Schedule 5 of this notice.
" 6. REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS AND OTHER MATTERS
6.1 The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will release requests for proposals or similar documents that set out the timeframes for the investment processes, call for proposals, and provide information that may assist applicants when preparing their proposals.
6.2 Further information on the Investment Mechanisms referred to in this notice is provided in the Science-led Contestable Tool. Further information on the Sandpit process is set out in the Sandpit Tool. Further information on the research funds referred to in this notice is provided in the notice entitled "Description of Funds within Vote RS&T", published in the Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette, 31 January 2011, No. 9, page 200.
Dated at Wellington this 26th day of November 2012.
HON STEVEN JOYCE, Minister of Science and Innovation.
Schedule 1
Energy and Minerals Research Fund
Proposals for funding out of the Energy and Minerals Research Fund may be considered in the 2013 science investment round under the following Investment Mechanism:
" Targeted Research - proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities:
o in one or more of the areas listed in the "Investment priorities" column of the table below; and
o directed towards answering the corresponding research question listed in the "Research questions" column of the table below.
Investment priorities Research questions Other requirements
Minerals
New Zealand's geothermal potential What is the commercial potential of mineral extraction (for example lithium, silver, gold, rare earths) from geothermal fluids and how can it be realised- Proposals must be of
4 years' duration.
Energy resources
New Zealand's geothermal potential How can we better understand and model multiple geothermal systems, the interactions between them and their sustainability through the use of geophysical, geochemical and, in particular, numerical modelling tools- Proposals must be of
4 years' duration.
Improving industry energy efficiency In the context of industry efficiency research, what research initiatives will provide the greatest impact in energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions for New Zealand industry? Research may include direct heat and / or process heat applications.
Proposals must be of
3 years' duration.
Proposals must not relate to on-farm (including
in-forest and in-orchard activities), small business, residential or transport energy efficiency applications.
Schedule 2
High-Value Manufacturing and Services Research Fund
Proposals for funding out of the High-Value Manufacturing and Services Research Fund may be considered in the 2013 science investment round under the following Investment Mechanisms:
" Phase 1 Smart Ideas - proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities in areas described under the heading "Nature of the Fund" in the
High-Value Manufacturing and Services Research Fund section of the notice entitled "Description of Funds within Vote RS&T", published in the Supplement to the
New Zealand Gazette, 31 January 2011, No. 9, page 200.
" Enabling Technologies - proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities:
o in one or more of the areas listed in the "Investment priorities" column of the table below; and
o directed towards answering the research question listed in the "Research question" column of the table below;
Investment priorities Research question Other requirements
Novel materials, manufacturing, and applications
New products and services created by transforming materials and/or automating production, and improved efficiencies in production from new engineering tools or processes. How can we accelerate the development of one or more integrated, multidisciplinary technology platforms that will:
" provide a core of expertise, knowledge and relevant infrastructure;
" be responsive to industry needs; and
" provide significant economic benefit to
New Zealand?
Proposals must be of
4 to 6 years' duration
Information and communication technologies (ICT)
Productivity improvement tools, data management tools, communications technologies and digital tools for creativity.
Medical and health technologies
New and emerging technologies that impact on human health and wellbeing. This includes diagnostic and imaging devices, health IT, drug discovery and delivery systems, and assistive and rehabilitative devices. Health services research is not included.
Agritechnologies
New and emerging technologies based on New Zealand's expertise in the agriculture and other primary sectors, particularly those technologies that exploit crossovers between agriculture and new materials, information and communications technologies, and health technologies.
Schedule 3
Biological Industries Research Fund
Proposals for funding out of the Biological Industries Research Fund may be considered in the 2013 science investment round under the following Investment Mechanisms:
" Phase 1 Smart Ideas - proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities in areas described under the heading "Nature of the Fund" in the Biological Industries Research Fund section of the notice entitled "Description of Funds within Vote RS&T", published in the Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette,
31 January 2011, No. 9, page 200.
" Enabling Technologies - proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities:
o in the "protection and risk management" area listed in the "Investment priorities" column of the table below; and
o directed towards answering the corresponding research question listed in the "Research questions" column of the table below.
" Targeted Research - proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities:
o in one or more of the areas listed in the "Investment priorities" column of the table below, except the "protection and risk management" area; and
o directed towards answering one or more of the corresponding research questions listed in the "Research questions" column of the table below.
Investment priorities Research questions Other requirements
Improving the competitive advantage of existing export goods and services
(Targeted Research only) How can we improve the competitive advantage of, and returns from, export species of greater than $150 million (fresh and processed state) worth of exports per year to ensure that our current primary-based production remains competitive, is sustainable, and can grow- Proposals must be of 4 to 6 years' duration.
If a proposal covers more than one investment priority and/or more than one research question within an Investment Mechanism, it must include a separate impact statement for each research question.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
New value-add export goods and services
(Targeted Research only)
In all three areas proposals must focus on new goods or services that have the potential to form the basis of an export industry that:
" has an expected growth rate to meet the Business Growth Agenda target (between 5.5 to 7.0% per year compounding); and
" the ability to grow to an export industry worth at least $200 million per year by 2030.
Industrial or consumer products
How can we support the development of industrial or consumer products (which may include processes for their production) that sell at premium prices? Proposals must be of 3 to 6 years' duration.
If a proposal covers more than one investment priority and/or more than one research question within an Investment Mechanism, it must include a separate impact statement for each research question.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
Foods for health products or ingredients
How can we support the development of foods for health products or ingredients (which may include processes for their production) that sell due to health benefits based on high-quality science?
Proposals must be of 4 to 6 years' duration.
Proposals must not be for work on the discovery or validation of new biomarkers.
If a proposal covers more than one investment priority and/or more than one research question within an Investment Mechanism, it must include a separate impact statement for each research question.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
Investment priorities Research questions Other requirements
Emerging industries based on established minor species
How can we support the growth of exports, based on a current minor species in New Zealand, to over $200 million per year in export earnings by 2030?
Proposals must be of 4 to 6 years' duration.
Species in proposals must:
" currently account for exports of less than $150 million per year (combined fresh and processed state); and
" have been piloted in a
New Zealand-based production trial or used in commercial production.
If a proposal covers more than one investment priority and/or more than one research question within an Investment Mechanism, it must include a separate impact statement for each research question.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
Protection and risk management
(Enabling Technologies only)
How can we protect or mitigate risks to New Zealand's industries or improve access to export markets?
Proposals must be of 4 to 6 years' duration.
A proposal addressing this research question may not address any other research question in the same proposal.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
Market development
(Targeted Research only) How can we improve New Zealand industries' understanding of consumer behaviour, trends, or supply chains to inform business decisions in the relevant industry or industries?
Proposals must be of 2 to 3 years' duration.
Proposals must relate to business decisions relating to market entry,
modifying goods and services or making investments.
Proposals must not relate to:
" market research for specific firms on:
o the feasibility of selling new goods and services;
o selling existing goods and services; or
" market research on specific goods or services.
If a proposal covers more than one investment priority and/or more than one research question within an Investment Mechanism, it must include a separate impact statement for each research question.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
International linkages with Singapore
(Targeted Research only) How could new or existing international linkages with Singapore improve the ability to undertake, or the quality of, research programmes relating to foods for health products or ingredients that sell due to health benefits?
Proposals must be of 2 years' duration only.
The Science Board may allocate no more than $500,000 per year for each proposal.
Funding is only available for linkages that are likely to strengthen relationships with Singapore relating to research on foods for health products or ingredients.
If a proposal covers more than one investment priority and/or more than one research question within an investment mechanism, it must include a separate impact statement for each research question.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
Food for health biomarkers from existing data
(Targeted Research only) How can health claims for food (ie for the prevention of disease and/or enhancement of human health and/or human development) be substantiated using biomarkers obtained from the compilation and collation of existing published data?
(A biomarker is anything that can be used as an indicator of a particular disease or physiological state. Biomarkers can be specific cells, molecules, genes, enzymes, hormones or measurable indicators such as respiratory state. Complex organ functions or general characteristic changes in biological structures can also serve as biomarkers. Biomarkers help in areas such as early diagnosis and disease prevention.) Proposals must be of 1 year's duration only.
Proposals must not be for work on the discovery or validation of new biomarkers.
If a proposal covers more than one investment priority and/or more than one research question within an investment mechanism, it must include a separate impact statement for each research question.
Proposals must specify how stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were involved in scoping and setting the direction of the research in the proposal.
Proposals must specify how researchers will work with those stakeholders to ensure they are able to utilise the research results.
Schedule 4
Health and Society Research Fund
The following priorities relate only to the Society component of the Health and Society Research Fund. The Health component of the fund is managed by the Health Research Council.
Proposals for funding out of the Health and Society Research Fund may be considered in the 2013 science investment round under the following Investment Mechanism:
" Targeted Research - proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities:
o in one of the areas listed in the "Investment priorities" column of the table below; and
o directed towards answering the corresponding research questions listed in the "Research questions" column of the table below.
Investment priorities Research questions Other requirements
Benefiting from the diversity of 21st century New Zealanders How can we prepare for and make the most of the projected changes in demographic structure of the
New Zealand population - including increased numbers of older adults, high birth rates among M?ori and Pasifika, and a high proportion of educated migrants?
In particular:
" What are the social and economic impacts and consequences of these emerging population changes?
" What determines the effectiveness of societal institutions and their interactions in responding to these changes- Proposals must confirm that
co-funding by direct in-kind contributions has been secured.
Proposals must:
" be of 3 years' duration (or
4 years if the Science Board considers there are exceptional circumstances warranting the extended time);
" provide a brief literature review of the field and demonstrate how the research will leverage existing research findings, partnerships, or datasets, as appropriate;
" explicitly outline what steps will be taken to ensure that research is carried out in an inclusive and mana-enhancing way - ie not "on" but "with" participants;
" specify an explicit path from research into deliverables such as policy changes, programmes, tools or other forms of uptake; and
" demonstrate that stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were actively involved in setting the priorities of the work programme to ensure that it:
o is designed with a clear understanding of end user requirements and likely knowledge uptake throughout the life of the work programme; and
o will be carried out in a manner that enables end users to access and use knowledge generated from the work programme at the earliest opportunity.
Successful families/wh?nau -embedding effective practice How do we enable families/wh?nau to succeed to ensure that all
New Zealand children fulfil their potential? What are the critical causal influences on positive outcomes for family/wh?nau, and are there connections between them? How do these critical influences differ for "family" and "wh?nau"?
Proposed research should address one or both of the following:
" What are the critical factors or leverage points that policy and services agencies must influence favourably as they interact and collaborate with each other and with families/wh?nau to enable positive outcomes? How can efforts directed towards these critical factors be sustained over time?
" How can hard-to-reach populations be supported to connect to and uptake services, including those offered by community or iwi- Proposals must confirm that
co-funding by direct in-kind contributions has been secured.
Proposals must:
" be of 3 years' duration (or
4 years if the Science Board considers there are exceptional circumstances warranting the extended time);
" provide a brief literature review of the field and demonstrate how the research will leverage existing research findings, partnerships, or datasets, as appropriate;
" explicitly outline what steps will be taken to ensure that research is carried out in an inclusive and mana-enhancing way - ie not "on" but "with" participants;
" specify an explicit path from research into deliverables such as policy changes, programmes, tools or other forms of uptake; and
" demonstrate that stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were actively involved in setting the priorities of the work programme to ensure that it:
o is designed with a clear understanding of end user requirements and likely knowledge uptake throughout the life of the work programme; and
o will be carried out in a manner that enables end users to access and use knowledge generated from the work programme at the earliest opportunity.
Building on known successes in societal research Efficacy of research for societal intervention: How can we extract maximum benefit from the evidence base of existing research on societal issues and interventions to inform policy and practice?
The proposed research project must generate one or more formal methodologies for assessing the quality of evidence about a societal topic or value of an intervention.
The methodology must:
" be demonstrated by a review of available New Zealand and relevant international research;
" have wide applicability;
" use cross-disciplinary and cross-issue search criteria (ie across various societal sectors); and
" indicate how the findings might best direct future research.
Proposals must confirm that
co-funding by direct in-kind contributions has been secured.
Proposals must:
" be of 2 to 3 years' duration;
" provide a brief literature review of the field and demonstrate how the research will leverage existing research findings, partnerships, or datasets, as appropriate;
" explicitly outline what steps will be taken to ensure that research is carried out in an inclusive and mana-enhancing way - ie not "on" but "with" participants;
" specify an explicit path from research into deliverables such as policy changes, programmes, tools or other forms of uptake; and
" demonstrate that stakeholders, including M?ori organisations where relevant, were actively involved in setting the priorities of the work programme to ensure that it:
o is designed with a clear understanding of end user requirements and likely knowledge uptake throughout the life of the work programme; and
o will be carried out in a manner that enables end users to access and use knowledge generated from the work programme at the earliest opportunity.
Schedule 5
Environmental Research Fund
Because funding out of the Environmental Research Fund will not be allocated by a science-led contestable process an alternative document rather than a request for proposals will be issued.
Proposals for funding out of the Environmental Research Fund may be considered in the 2013 Sandpit round under the Sandpit Tool. Proposals must be for research, science, and technology, or related activities:
" in one of the areas listed in the "Investment priorities" column of the table below; and
" directed towards answering the corresponding research question listed in the "Research questions" column of the table below.
Investment priorities Research questions Other requirements
Terrestrial biodiversity and biosecurity What methods of, or improvements to, biodiversity and ecosystem service measurement and reporting will best serve New Zealand- Proposals must be of
2 to 6 years' duration.
Freshwater objectives, limits and responses How can we address gaps in the national freshwater management framework around objectives, limits and responses- Proposals must be of
2 to 6 years' duration.