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Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today released the 2016 Science and Innovation System Performance Report, the first of an annual series which presents data on the research outputs, impacts, funding, and overall performance of science and innovation in New Zealand.

“This report provides us with a performance benchmark against other OECD countries including the other small advanced economies – Israel, Switzerland, Singapore, Finland, Ireland and Denmark,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced a refreshed version of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) research partnership programme will open for applications in December with funding awarded in late-2017.

“After completing a full review of the programme, we expect to invest up to $25.9 million over seven years in the first round of a revised Partnerships Scheme. The refreshed scheme has moved from the previous on-demand mechanism to a more structured annual, but still very open, call for proposals,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced that the Centre for Space Science Technology (CSST) has been selected to become New Zealand’s second Regional Research Institute.

“The Centre for Space Science Technology, which will be based in Alexandra, Central Otago, will undertake research to explore the use of space-based measurements and satellite imagery unique to New Zealand to meet the specific needs of our regional industries,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the recipients for this year’s Rutherford Discovery Fellowships.

“This programme provides great opportunities to further develop the skills of our most talented young scientists to be the future leaders of our growing science community,” Mr Joyce says.

The Rutherford Discovery Fellowships receive Government funding of $8 million per annum, and award up to $800,000 over five years to each Research Fellow. There are at least 50 Rutherford Discovery Fellows supported at any one time.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today opened applications for the establishment of a new genomics research platform with funding of up to $5 million per year for seven years.

“Genomics is an increasingly important component of both basic and targeted research, and underpins much current activity across the life sciences including the primary, health and environmental sectors,” Mr Joyce says.

New Zealand’s top researchers have been awarded $65.2 million in Marsden Fund grants in the 2016 funding round, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

The $65.2 million allocation is the largest single funding round in the history of the Marsden Fund. 117 successful proposals will be funded over the next three years and they include a diverse range of topics from vaccine delivery, to youth justice, to the marine carbon cycle. 

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced that the New Zealand Research Institute of Viticulture and Oenology (NZRIVO) has been selected to become the first new Regional Research Institute.

“The NZRIVO, which will be based in Marlborough, will undertake new research activity and collaborate with other domestic and international research institutions to support the growth and continuing success of New Zealand’s wine and viticulture industry,” says Mr Joyce.

New Zealand’s leading 200 hi-tech companies have reached combined annual revenues of $9.4 billion – up 12 per cent in just one year, according to the annual Technology Investment Network’s TIN 100 report released today.

“This year’s TIN 100 report tells an impressive story of innovation, growth and exporting success in New Zealand’s technology sector,” Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced the creation of a new freshwater institute between NIWA and the University of Waikato.

Te Waiora, Joint Institute for Freshwater Management (NIWA and the University of Waikato) will be on the university’s Hamilton campus and involve iwi, national and international partners.

Callaghan Innovation will run three new accelerator programmes to help develop early-stage start-up businesses in 2017, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

The three programmes will focus on the financial technology, digital technology and energy sectors, and are being funded from the $3 million for new accelerators set aside in the Innovative New Zealand package in Budget 2017.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell today announced that applications are open for the Māori Digital Technology Development Fund which will support greater participation by Māori in New Zealand’s digital technology industries.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge is investing $3 million in its Consumer Insights and Science of Food research programmes.

“The research into high-value nutrition is hugely important in moving our food production from volume to value”, Mr Joyce says.  “These projects will help product development that brings maximum returns for New Zealand food exporters.”

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has announced that applications are now open for the 2017 Endeavour Fund with a series of roadshows to be held this week for potential applicants.

“The Endeavour Fund is New Zealand’s biggest contestable scientific research fund”, Mr Joyce says. “$209 million in research funding was allocated in the just-completed 2016 round, and a similar amount will be invested in the 2017 round.

A new dairy research and demonstration farm being developed in Southland will ensure the local dairy sector continually has access to the latest science and innovation, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

The Southern Dairy Hub is being funded by AgResearch, DairyNZ and the Southern Dairy Development Trust, which represents the region’s dairy farmers.

The investment recognises the scale and importance of dairying in the Southern region and aims to address the unique significant localised issues faced by Southland dairy farmers.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced that applications are open for the third round of the Unlocking Curious Minds contestable science fund.

“The Curious Minds fund supports innovative projects aimed at exciting and engaging young people, in particular those who have limited opportunities to get involved with science and technology,” Mr Joyce says. “We need more young people to develop an interest in STEM subjects like science and engineering, to meet the skill needs of our 21st century world.”

The announcement of four major founding partners for Project Taranaki Mounga is a significant step on the road towards a Predator Free New Zealand, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry say.

The Ministers announced the new support for the $24 million project, which will have substantial conservation and economic benefits for Taranaki, at a ceremony in New Plymouth today.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Communications Minister Amy Adams have today officially opened a technology hub to support new and emerging businesses in Westport.

Enterprise Precinct Innovation Campus (EPIC) Westport, a branch of EPIC Christchurch, provides co-working spaces for local companies looking to be innovative and develop local capacity in digital technology.

“Co-working spaces foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, start-up businesses are typically the generators of new ideas, products and services,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced a total investment of over $209 million over the next five years in new scientific research projects through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) 2016 Endeavour Fund.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today that the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge will invest $826,000 in 10 ambitious new research projects to develop disruptive technology for industry.

“The pace of technology change is accelerating so it’s important that our high-tech firms have access to the right know-how to build the sorts of innovative products that will help them to succeed in highly competitive global markets,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge will fund eight new scientific research projects through the Challenge’s new Innovation Fund.

“The Sustainable Seas Challenge team looked for proposals that would improve environmental outcomes while adding value to our marine economy,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced that AgResearch and Massey University will jointly build New Zealand’s largest agri-food research centre in the Food HQ Precinct on the Massey University campus in Palmerston North.

As part of AgResearch’s Future Footprint Programme, AgResearch and Massey University are investing $39 million in the Food Science Research Centre and the design for the new buildings is well underway.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced 245 R&D Experience Grants have been approved for 116 businesses to employ students over the 2016/17 summer break.

The Student Experience Grants, administered by Callaghan Innovation provide New Zealand students in their final year studying science, technology, business, engineering or design the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced that a second round of applications will be invited for the Regional Research Institutes initiative.

“This initiative received a further $40 million in funding as part of this year’s Budget, and some of this will be used to establish one to three additional research institutes outside the main centres,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell today announced that 31 Māori collectives will receive funding from Te Pūnaha Hiringa: Māori Innovation Fund Commercial Advisors Scheme.

Through the scheme, funding of more than $2 million is available to help Māori collectives realise the economic potential of their assets by contracting a commercial advisor to provide professional business advice and mentoring.