10 JULY NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 1697

7.2 Technology for Business Growth Programme

Overview of the Technology for Business Growth Programme

The Technology for Business Growth programme is intended to foster research and development, technological learning and technological innovation within enterprises. The outcome of this programme should be an increased capability by enterprises to undertake technological innovation and develop strategic technology management skills. This will be demonstrated through a greater investment by enterprises in research and development, technological learning and knowledge application and the development of technology based human capital. The programme should accommodate enterprises of a wide ranging initial technological capability.

Funding for this programme will be $10.0 million for 1997/98.

Objectives of the Technology for Business Growth Programme

The objectives of the Technology for Business Growth programme are to:

• foster research and development, technological learning and technological innovation within enterprises;
• catalyse improvements in management practices and attitudes towards technological innovation within enterprises.

Mechanisms of support for the Technology for Business Growth Programme

The Foundation will allocate funds to provide part-funding for projects designed to motivate and enable enterprises (or a group of enterprises) to undertake a technology based project within a “learning by doing” model.

Where appropriate, the enterprise(s) may engage a technology partner, ranging from a private company or consultant to a research provider. An international partner can be used if the appropriate skills or expertise are not available in New Zealand.

The Technology for Business Growth programme will target support to those projects which, in the Foundation’s view, best meet the following criteria:

• the project should demonstrate the potential to catalyse an improvement in:
  – the ability of the enterprise(s) to undertake a research and development, technological learning, or a technological innovation based project;
  – management practices and attitudes towards technological innovation within the enterprise(s);
• the enterprise(s) must fund at least 50 percent of the project cost;

The Foundation will have full discretion to manage the allocation of funds for the Technology for Business Growth programme in a way that achieves the outcome and objectives for the programme. The type of projects that could be supported may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

• technology feasibility assessments;
• prototype assessments;
• pilot plant trialing;
• staff secondments;
• cooperative research;
• in-house technology development.

Performance Indicators for the Technology for Business Growth Programme

• Application of research and development, technological learning or technological innovation within a participating enterprise, measured before and at the conclusion of projects (the maximum interval for measurement being 3 years), as demonstrated by:
  – investment in research and development capabilities, technological learning and knowledge application and technological innovation activities;
  – technology strategy development and application;
  – investment in technology-based human capital.
• Additional technologies applied by enterprises as a result of projects.
• Advances in technologies applied by enterprises as a result of projects.
• New or improved products, processes, services or markets that result from projects.

7.3 Graduates in Industry Fellowships Programme

Overview of the Graduates in Industry Fellowships Programme

The Graduates in Industry Fellowships programme supports science and technology based projects carried out within enterprises and, where appropriate, supported by a research provider. The projects can be carried out by individuals ranging from senior undergraduates to post-doctoral fellows. The outcome should be an enhanced level of scientific and technology based human capital within New Zealand enterprises. Where appropriate the individual should be working towards a tertiary qualification.

Funding for this programme will be $3.0 million for 1997/98.

Programme Objectives

The objectives of the Graduates in Industry Fellowships programme are to:

• enhance the scientific and technological innovation competencies of New Zealand enterprises at a range of starting capabilities through increasing the number of scientists, technologists and engineers working in professional roles;