How funding is organised
The various Crown agencies and Ministries that make up the New Zealand Government are funded though a series of packages called "Votes".
Our Vote - Vote Research, Science and Technology (RS&T) - currently stands at $743 million (2009/2010 Budget) excluding GST.
The Vote is made up of a number of output expenses. An output expense is a group of outputs that deliver a common set of goods or services. The funding for each output expense is specified in the Budget each year.
The following are the output expenses in Vote RS&T:
Advanced Network to fund the establishment and operation of a high-speed research and education data network connecting education and science institutions throughout New Zealand with each other and internationally. Agent: REANNZ
Advanced Network Capability Building to Development of capability within the Advanced Network user group (TEIs and CRIs) to make effective use of the Advanced Network.
Advanced Network CRI Tariffs for Payment of Advanced Network tariffs incurred by some CRIs. They fund the Crown by way of special dividend.
Advice on shaping the science system to fund MoRST to negotiate, manage and monitor contracts, and pay expenses on behalf of the Government. It also funds MoRST to define, design and deliver policy advice to the Government on research and innovation. This includes a strategic oversight of the whole RS&T system and evaluating its effectiveness in achieving outcomes, as well as technical advice on science-related issues, co-ordinating the implementation of the Biotechnology Strategy, commercialisation of RS&T, and international RS&T linkages. Agent: MoRST
Australian Synchrotron to New Zealand contribution to the establishment and operation of a synchrotron located in Victoria, Australia.
Convention Du Metre to Payment of New Zealand's annual subscription to the Convention du Metre.
CRI Capability Fund to retain and develop research in CRIs. Agent: MoRST
Development of International Linkages to promote and support New Zealand RS&T internationally by accessing and utilising the best global ideas and encouraging New Zealanders to use international linkages to enhance our knowledge-base and innovative capacity. Agents: MoRST, RSNZ
Environmental Research for increasing the knowledge of the environment, and the factors that affect it, in order to establish and maintain a healthy environment. Agent: FRST
Equity Investment Fund provides for investments into CRIs that have the capability to develop commercial prospects from publicly funded research but are unable to find suitable commercial partners or to borrow the necessary funds. Agent: MoRST
Health Research for supporting public good research that has the greatest potential to improve the health status of New Zealanders. Agent: HRC
International Investment Opportunities Fund to support research providers and research funders to participate in international research collaborations and to recruit highly experienced researchers from overseas. Agents: MoRST, FRST, HRC, RSNZ
Māori Knowledge and Development Research for building capacity and capability in research which contributes to unlocking the innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people. Agents: FRST, HRC
Marsden Fund for excellent research exploring the frontiers of new knowledge. Agent: RSNZ
National Measurement Standards for providing a set of internationally accepted standards for New Zealand products, processes and services. Agent: IRL
New Economy Research Fund for research capability and knowledge development in areas of science and technology where new industries and enterprises are emerging. Agent: FRST
Pre-Seed Accelerator Fund to assist an innovative process or product from the conceptual stage to the point where there is a demonstrably marketable product or process. Agent: FRST
Promoting an Innovation Culture to develop relationships that strengthen and encourage a culture of innovation. Agents: MoRST, RSNZ
Research Contract Management to fund FRST, HRC and the RSNZ to invest in portfolios of research on behalf of the Government. Agents: FRST, HRC, RSNZ
Research for Industry for increasing the global competitiveness of our food and fibre, manufacturing and service industries; and in national infrastructure such as energy and our built environment. Agent: FRST
Social Research for supporting public good research that improves social wellbeing. Agent: FRST
Supporting Promising Individuals for awards and fellowships to retain, attract and support people who sustain the innovation system. Agents: FRST, HRC, RSNZ, MoRST
Technology New Zealand for increasing both the flow of technology from researchers to firms and the ability of firms to take up new technology. Agent: FRST
Technology Partnership Programme to provide a mechanism for New Zealand firms, and organisations with technical and research capability, to access information about international markets and expertise. Agent: FRST