15 DECEMBER 2011 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 193 5657

Science and Innovation

Research, Science, and Technology Act 2010

Criteria for Proposals for Science-led Contestable Funding

1. Notice to the Science Board
   Pursuant to section 8(1) of the Research, Science, and Technology Act 2010, I set the criteria specified in this notice for the assessment by the Science Board of proposals for Science-led contestable funding.

2. Policy objective
   2.1 The policy objective of Science-led contestable funding is to fund research, science, and technology that has the potential to:
   (a) enhance the productivity of established industries; or
   (b) generate new industries for New Zealand; or
   (c) add new value to public services in New Zealand; or
   (d) develop world-leading technological capabilities by supporting research programmes to develop technology able to support a range of applications, products, and services.

2.2 Vision Mātauranga is a theme that traverses Science-led contestable funding. It encompasses Māori innovation and focuses on four themes:
(a) Contributing to economic growth through distinctive science and innovation;
(b) Taiao – achieving environmental sustainability through iwi and hapū relationships with land and sea;
(c) Hauora/Oranga – improving health and social wellbeing; and
(d) Mātauranga – exploring indigenous knowledge and science and innovation.

3. Investment mechanisms
   The investment mechanisms available under Science-led contestable funding are described in the Schedules to this notice.

4. Eligibility criteria for Science-led contestable funding
   4.1 Proposals for Science-led contestable funding must be assessed against the following eligibility criteria:
   (a) Proposals from researchers from public research organisations and other research providers for research that will benefit New Zealand are eligible;
   (b) proposals from researchers from private sector organisations are not eligible if the scientific research, development or technology transfer activities are solely for the benefit of that organisation; and
   (c) it is expected that a significant proportion of the research will be undertaken in New Zealand.

4.2 Proposals for Science-led contestable funding must also be assessed against any additional eligibility criteria in the relevant Schedule.

5. Assessment criteria for Science-led contestable funding
   Proposals for Science-led contestable funding that meet the eligibility criteria must be assessed against the assessment criteria in the relevant Schedule.

6. Additional criteria for Science-led contestable funding
   6.1 When assessing proposals and allocating Science-led contestable funding, the following additional criteria must be taken into account:
   (a) Funding allocations must be consistent with the Public Finance Act 1989 and the relevant vote administered by the Ministry of Science and Innovation;
   (b) the assessment and allocation must take into account the relevant Sector Investment Plan (“Plan”) (if any), including the investment strategy for each output expense; and
   (c) proposals must be assessed against any additional criteria in the relevant Schedule.

6.2 Funding for proposals for Science-led contestable funding may be allocated from any of the following output expenses:
(a) Biological Industries Research;
(b) High Value Manufacturing and Services Research;
(c) Energy and Minerals Research;
(d) Environmental Research;
(e) Hazards and Infrastructure Research; and
(f) Health and Society Research (except that funding that is administered by the Health Research Council may not be allocated to such proposals).

6.3 The overall mix of investments made in respect of each output expense must be taken into account, so that the mix of investments will contribute to the delivery of the outcomes for that output expense sought in the relevant Plan, and that the mix of investments will contribute to the objectives of the Vision Mātauranga theme.

7. Revocation of previous notice
   This notice supersedes and revokes the notice entitled "Science-led contestable funding" published on pages 196 and 197 of the Establishment of Innovation Board and Science Board and Other Related Notices in the Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette, 31 January 2011, No. 9, page 177.

Dated at Wellington this 9th day of December 2011.

HON DR WAYNE MAPP, Minister of Science and Innovation.