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New criteria for business R&D Grants that will allow more Kiwi businesses to access more than half a billion dollars’ worth of R&D funding assistance have been released today.

The new Callaghan Innovation grants - R&D Growth Grants, R&D Project Grants, and R&D Students Grants – were announced in Budget 2013. Budget increases of $98 million mean that a total of $566 million is now available over four years ($141.5 million a year) to encourage innovation through Callaghan Innovation’s business research and development grant schemes.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Revenue Minister Todd McClay today welcomed the release of an Inland Revenue Department tax policy paper which seeks public feedback on proposals to improve cash flow and remove tax distortions on research and development costs for start-up Kiwi businesses.

Callaghan Innovation’s first full three year Statement of Intent has been tabled in Parliament today, setting out how the new organisation will help increase business innovation, and speed up the commercialisation of new products and services.

The Statement of Intent sets Callaghan Innovation’s strategic direction and priorities for the next three years.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced several appointments to the boards of New Zealand’s Crown Research Institutes (CRIs).

Barry Harris has been appointed as Deputy Chair at AgResearch, following the retirement of Susan Huria.  Auckland-based marketing consultant Teresa Ciprian and Queensland-based scientist Dr Peter Stone also join the board.

Northland-based director Greg Gent has been appointed as Deputy Chair of the Plant & Food Research board, along with Christchurch-based scientist Professor Juliet Gerrard.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce arrives in Europe tonight to strengthen New Zealand’s science, innovation and international education links with the European Union.

The visit includes Mr Joyce opening the biennial New Zealand-European Commission Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee meeting in Brussels on 20 June.

“The EU plays an increasingly major role in setting the agenda for Europe’s research and innovation,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have marked three years of the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) at a function at Parliament tonight.

“The PGP invests in research and innovation to boost productivity in New Zealand’s farming, forestry and food sectors,” Mr Guy says. “This will mean more exports, jobs and better environmental outcomes as well.”

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has agreed to an increase in the Heavy Engineering Research levy, to support innovation in the heavy engineering sector.

The compulsory levy on heavy steel and welding consumables part-funds the Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA), a not-for-profit industry owned and operated research association.

The levy for heavy steel, which has not increased since first introduced 25 years ago, will double to $10 per tonne from 1 July 2013. Other levy rates remain unchanged.

More than $15 million over three years is being invested in turning New Zealand researchers’ bright ideas into commercial ventures.

The Pre-Seed Accelerator Fund is shared between five organisations who will then allocate funding to specific projects.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has conducted a contestable process and decided on the following investments:

Innovative New Zealand businesses are invited to apply for funding to hire students as part of the Government’s R&D Student Grants scheme.

The R&D Student Grants, which will be administered by Callaghan Innovation, are available this year to R&D active New Zealand companies to employ up to 70 postgraduates and 200 undergraduate students from science, technology, engineering, design, or marketing degrees.

Budget 2013 has recognised the importance of the Marsden Fund to New Zealand’s science and innovation system with a funding increase of $20 million over four years.

“This year’s increase for the Marsden Fund reaffirms Government’s on-going support for fundamental, investigator-led research. Since 2008 we have increased support for the Marsden Fund by 37 per cent,” Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

The funding forms part of the $100 million a year internationally focused growth package, which is a centrepiece of Budget 2013.

Budget 2013 is investing nearly $130 million into Callaghan Innovation to encourage businesses to invest more in research and development, and to support new start-ups.

“Business innovation is crucial for New Zealand companies to compete and win in the tough international environment we have today,” Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

Budget 2013 delivers on the Government’s commitment to building a more competitive and productive economy with $200 million of new funding over the next four years for science and innovation, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

“Science and innovation are key drivers of economic growth and international competitiveness. To achieve this, New Zealand needs to develop better linkages with international markets and be a stronger player in research and development,” he says.

The Government has today announced the final 10 selected National Science Challenges and a $73.5 million boost over four years to fund them, as part of Budget 2013.

“The National Science Challenges will tackle some of the biggest science-based issues and opportunities facing New Zealand,” Minister of Science and Innovation Steven Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today unveiled concept plans for a world-class agricultural research and education facility to be sited at Lincoln, near Christchurch.

The Lincoln Hub concept plans and business proposal have been developed by a partnership of Lincoln University, DairyNZ and Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, and Landcare Research.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce yesterday announced the establishment of a senior science and innovation representative in China.

Mr Joyce announced the new position following bilateral talks between Prime Minister John Key and new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce yesterday signed a scientist exchange programme between New Zealand and China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Mr Joyce signed the arrangement with China’s Science and Technology Minister, Wan Gang, following bilateral talks between Prime Minister John Key and new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

“China is a major global science and research player,” Mr Joyce says.

New Zealand will continue to invest in the Australian Synchrotron research facility to provide access for New Zealand scientists, says Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

New Zealand will contribute A$5 million over four years towards the operating costs of the Australian Synchrotron, which is the largest piece of scientific infrastructure in the Southern hemisphere. The Synchrotron provides scientists with an intense light that can be used to study the structure and composition of materials.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce welcomed Statistics New Zealand data released today that shows businesses in New Zealand spent $1.2 billion on research and development in 2012 – an increase of almost 25 per cent since 2010.

“The positive results highlight the good progress the Government is making under the Business Growth Agenda to encourage more firms to invest in R&D and increase productivity in the economy,” Mr Joyce says.

Firms with an interest in locating in the Christchurch Innovation Precinct are being asked to put up their hands.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the release of a Market Engagement document and a Request for Proposals for the Precinct, which is designed to be a catalyst for Christchurch to be recognised on the world stage as a hub of innovation.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the appointment of Dr Mary Quin as the inaugural Chief Executive of Callaghan Innovation.

“The appointment is a key step in the development of Callaghan Innovation following its establishment on 1 February this year,” Mr Joyce says.

“Callaghan Innovation will be a one-stop shop for business innovation support whether it be in the science, engineering, design or technology sectors. It will be a high-tech HQ for New Zealand businesses.

Over $25 million worth of Government Technology Development Grants have been awarded to eight high-tech New Zealand businesses to help them speed up the development of innovative products and services and get them to the market faster.

The grants are the first to be allocated by Callaghan Innovation, which began operating on 1 February this year, taking over responsibility for the TDG from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

A panel of top researchers and some budding young scientists have been appointed to identify New Zealand’s National Science Challenges for the Government.

The 11-person panel has been tasked with identifying the biggest science challenges facing New Zealand and will be chaired by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser Sir Peter Gluckman.

The Government will invest $21 million over a maximum of seven years to support research that will benefit two of New Zealand’s primary industries Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

A $16 million investment over seven years will be made in the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium and a $5 million investment over a maximum of seven years will be made in Seafood Innovations Limited.

"Callaghan Innovation will accelerate the commercialisation of New Zealand innovation,” says Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

The new organisation commences operations today, and is being officially launched at functions in Auckland and Wellington.

“Callaghan Innovation will be a one-stop shop for business innovation support whether it be in science, engineering, design or technology. It will be a high-tech HQ for New Zealand businesses,” Mr Joyce says.