Application and assessment information for a host of the New Zealand Science Media Centre

Who can apply

For a proposal to be considered for assessment it must meet the eligibility criteria for proposals as set out below in the opportunity to host the New Zealand Science Media Centre 2022 – call for proposals.

An opportunity to host the New Zealand Science Media Centre 2022 – call for proposals [PDF, 990 KB]

Proposals that we consider don't meet these criteria will be declined for funding on eligibility grounds.

The application and assessment process

All eligible proposals will be assessed by an MBIE-appointed assessment panel against the fund’s assessment criteria detailed in the call for proposals. The assessment panel will provide recommendations which will inform the final decision on which proposal will progress to contracting. All applicants will be notified of the assessment outcome.

Download the document below for full details on the application, assessment and decision making processes.

An opportunity to host the New Zealand Science Media Centre 2022 – assessment guidelines [PDF, 1.5 MB]

• Proposals are entered and submitted in our Investment Management System (IMS) – a secure online portal.
  Investment Management System (IMS) Portal
• You must meet the deadlines for submitting your proposal.
• Late proposals will not be considered. 

Important dates

Dates are subject to change.

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Conflicts of interest

We will publish the names and biographies of the assessment panel members before the proposal submission closing date.

If you identify a potential conflict of interest with your application, email us with the following details as soon as possible so we can look into it and reassign assessors as necessary:

• your application reference
• your contact phone number
• the assessor’s name or names
• the reason for your concern.

Answers to questions about the Call for Proposals

Why are you looking for a Host for the NZSMC?

It’s been 13 years since Royal Society Te Apārangi (the Society) was successful in an open tender process to host the Science Media Centre, which we are now renaming the New Zealand Science Media Centre (NZSMC). As the NZSMC is nearly fully funded from public funds, it is appropriate to allow other organisations an opportunity to be considered as a future host.

Why wasn’t this done earlier?

It is important that the NZSMC has reasonable stability of funding given the importance of maintaining editorial and operational independence. However, much has changed in the media landscape since the centre was established and we want to make sure that host of the NZSMC reflects that.

What sorts of organisations could host the NZSMC?

We are looking for a host organisation that has priorities and strategies aligned with the objectives of the NZSMC.

Why can't MBIE host the centre?

MBIE is looking for an organisation that can ensure both the actual and perceived operational and editorial independence of the NZSMC.

What will happen to the staff who are currently employed?

The current staff of the Science Media Centre are employed by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, so any future decisions will be made by that organisation.

The objective ‘Maintain networks and manage relationships between the key components of the science system, including Māori researchers and Māori research organisations, and Māori media’ suggests an exclusive focus on Māori media, is this intended?

This objective should be considered in the context of the five objectives for the NZSMC. The first objective is overarching and refers to working with all media to enhance the quality, depth and breadth of coverage of research related topics, particularly coverage of New Zealand research, science and innovation.

This objective responds to the findings of a recent evaluation which identified opportunities to strengthen responsiveness to Māori.

Contact us

For proposal queries, email curiousminds@mbie.govt.nz

For IMS queries, email imssupport@mbie.govt.nz or call 0800 693 778 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm