News and releases

A memorandum of understanding has been virtually signed between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in Wellington and space and intelligence company Maxar Technologies at their headquarters in Westminster, Colorado, USA.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has published its Investment Plan for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Capability Fund, which will support research organisations to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

A new investment has been announced of $10 million over two years in a one-off fellowship to support 30 of New Zealand’s early career researchers impacted by COVID-19.

The Government is investing $84.7 million in innovative projects that will help us understand and find new ways to address a wide range of long-term issues including health, climate change, astronomy and the impact of Big Data on social equality.

We have listened to feedback from the sector, and made 2 key changes in this year’s funding round to increase the benefit and impact of our projects.

The Te Pae Kahurangi Report was commissioned by MBIE to present an independent view of the role that Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) can and should play in meeting New Zealand’s current and future needs.

After careful consideration MBIE has decided to defer Unlocking Curious Minds for 2021. This means that we won’t be running the normal call for proposals round for projects for 2021.

In 2019, we commissioned an independent evaluation of the Envirolink Scheme. Envirolink is a fund that provides grants to selected smaller Regional Councils adapt environmental management tools to local needs, and translate environmental science knowledge into practical advice.

A review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) system has created new divisions for indigenous research, and changes to existing divisions for medical and health sciences and environmental research.

The Government has today announced additional funding for research, science & innovation as part of Budget 2020 and the COVID Response and Recovery Fund.