Science in Society

Science in Society enhances and enables better engagement of New Zealanders with Science and Technology.

Initiatives, projects and programmes funded through Science and Society, support the increase of New Zealanders public engagement with the Science, Innovation and Technology Sector through:

  1. enhancing better engagement with the public and scientists
  2. questioning and addressing what we need innovative science to understand better what to do with new knowledge
  3. contributing to the development of talented people to ensure we have a workforce to support growth an innovation within New Zealand.

As a nation, we are curious about what’s around us, the world we live in, how it works, and we push boundaries and asks difficult questions to find a way to get things done. With a remarkable history of pioneers and innovators, science and technology has helped shape us.

MBIE-funded Science in Society activities, projects and programmes

We fund the following initiatives under Science in Society:

Participatory Science Platform

The Participatory Science Platform was created to support collaborative, community projects that bring together communities, science and technology to investigate locally important research questions and problems.

Participatory Science Platform

Science Learning Hub

A high-quality online repository of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) resources for teachers and students, promoting teacher development and student engagement in science.

Science Learning Hub

Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund

The Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund supported the objective of He Whenua Hihiri I Te Mahara - A Nation of Curious Minds by supporting projects that help New Zealanders learn about and to engage with science and technology.

Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund

The government invested $1.611m (excluding GST) in 2024 to support 14 projects. No further funding rounds are planned.

Successful 2024 Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund investment round proposals

Contact us

Email curiousminds@mbie.govt.nz for more information about Science in Society initiatives.

Last updated: 22 May 2025