Professor I Axford Presiding Member Foundation for Research, Science and Technology P O Box 12 240 WELLINGTON Dear Professor Axford On 17 August 1993, pursuant to section 8A (1) of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Act 1990, I directed the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology to allocate funds under the two Ministerial Schemes entitled: ``The New Zealand Science and Technology Teacher Fellowships'' ``New Zealand Science and Technology Post-Doctoral Fellowships''. Details of the Schemes were published in the New Zealand Gazette on 26 August 1993 (referred to as ``the 1993 notice''). These Schemes shall continue in full force and effect in respect of funds allocated to them in the 1993/1994 financial year as was specified in the 1993 notice. Pursuant to section 8a (2) of the Act, I now amend the directions given in the 1993 notice to apply to schemes funded in 1994/1995 and subsequent years as follows: The New Zealand Science and Technology Teacher Fellowships: The Scheme will be amended as follows: The fourth paragraph of the section headed ``Introduction - the Nature of the Scheme'' shall be deleted and a new fourth paragraph substituted as follows: ``It is essential that spin-off benefits to students, colleagues and the wider community be maximised. Proposals submitted by applicants must address this aim, and sufficient resources must be allocated to ensure that this aspect of the programme can be effectively achieved. After completing their tenure, recipients of the fellowships are to submit a report which will assist in evaluation of the benefits of the scheme. Examples of benefits expected for schools and students, enterprises and the wider community are:'' This scheme shall continue in all other respects as in the 1993 notice with the addition of the words: ``The funding allocation for 1994/1995 is $425,000.'' The New Zealand Science and Technology Post-Doctoral Fellowships: This Scheme shall be amended as follows: Under the section entitled ``Mechanisms of Support'' the first objective shall be deleted and the following first objective substituted: ``providing support for New Zealand post-doctoral researchers to undertake approved research programmes in New Zealand research institutions or in a business enterprise setting.'' Under the section ``Targeting of Support'', the second paragraph will be deleted and the following second paragraph substituted: ``Fellows under this scheme will be selected on the basis of their academic record, and the scientific excellence of the proposed research. Fellowships will not be specifically targeted at any discipline area, and will be tenable at Crown Research Institutes, universities, Research Associations, polytechnics, business enterprises and private sector research facilities etc, provided the organisation has the capability and the capacity for intellectual and logistical support of the Fellow.'' The Scheme shall continue in all other respects as in the 1993 notice with the addition of the words: ``The funding allocation for 1994/1995 is $1,960,000. This will provide for approximately 30 fellowships during 1994/1995.'' New Ministerial Schemes: Pursuant to section 8a of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Act 1990, I direct the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology to allocate funds under the following Ministerial Schemes: ``The New Zealand Graduates in Industry Fellowships Scheme'' (Graduates in Industry) and ``Non-Specific Output Funding'' (NSOF). The specific nature, objectives, criteria and funding levels applying to these Schemes are outlined in Annex A in respect of the Graduates in Industry Scheme and in Annex B in respect of the Non-Specific Output Funding Scheme. In accordance with the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Act 1990, a copy of this notice will be published in the Gazette and a copy laid before the House of Representatives. Yours sincerely SIMON UPTON Minister of Research, Science and Technology Annex A The New Zealand Graduates in Industry Fellowships Introduction The Nature of the Scheme This scheme will provide funds for well-performed graduates in science, technology and engineering to undertake project-based Masters, PhD or other post-graduate research, with the projects performed in New Zealand industry. The Objectives of the Scheme upgrade scientific and technological skills and competencies in New Zealand companies; increase the number of postgraduate scientists, technologists and engineers working in professional roles in New Zealand industry; improve linkages between firms and universities; create a stronger interest among school leavers for courses in S&T and among graduates for careers in New Zealand industry. Mechanisms of Support The objectives of the scheme will be achieved by providing support for postgraduate researchers in science, engineering or technology who are conducting a major part of their research project in industry. Targeting of Support This scheme is aimed at science, technology and engineering graduates who have demonstrated potential to be innovative professionals in industry. This potential may be evident through demonstrated practical achievements, and not only by narrowly academic criteria. Researchers will be awarded funding for a period normally of one to four years. Joint applications will normally identify the researcher, the academic supervisor, and the mentor in the company, and include their statements of commitment to the project. The scheme will provide financial support for the researcher and will contribute to other costs associated with the project. Funding levels are to be determined by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, on the advice of an advisory committee, on a case by case basis. In making its decisions, the Foundation will optimise the number of awards in accordance with the objectives of the scheme. Administration and Selection The projects will be administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, using the mechanism of an advisory committee chaired by a member of the Foundation, and comprising science and engineering researchers and industrialists who have substantial experience supervising joint research projects of the kind supported by this scheme. Funding The scheme will allocate the following funding: [tn1,2] Year Fellowships [tn1,2] 1994/95 $930,000 [tn1,2] 1995/96 * [tn1,2] 1996/97 * [tn1,2] * To be determined, but not less than the funding provided in 1994/95. This will provide for 2040 researchers in 1994/95, and at least this number annually after that. Monitoring The scheme will be monitored by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. Annex B Non-Specific Output Funding (NSOF) Objectives NSOF is granted directly to Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) for public good science and technology programmes which do not have to conform to the Government's priority statement for public good science and technology. NSOF is likely to be used for: exploring new ideas which are not sufficiently well formed to enable a programme proposal to be made to the Foundation for Research Science and Technology (); and maintaining programmes which are important to the CRI but are not of sufficient priority to gain funding from the Foundation. Criteria NSOF must be used for providing public good science and technology outputs. The test is whether the work would be fundable by the Foundation, i.e. within the scope of the Public Good Science Fund (PGSF) if it met relevance and quality criteria. NSOF must be applied to outputs, although not necessarily in the year in which the funding is granted. Administration The Foundation will pay the NSOF to each CRI as a single contractual arrangement. Level of Funding Funding is made available to each CRI at the rate of 10% of the funds allocated from the contestable portion of the PGSF to each CRI in the previous year. Period of Funding The Scheme shall continue in operation until further notice. Reporting Progress and other reports on work funded by NSOF are to be made to the Foundation in a comparable way (i.e. timing and content) to reports required for work funded through the contestable part of the PGSF. A summary of the level and application of NSOF is to be provided each year by each CRI to the Minister for CRIs. A report on work funded by NSOF is to be included in the reports required to be provided by the Foundation pursuant to the Foundation for Research Science and Technology Act 1990. Monitoring This Scheme will be monitored by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. Copies of the full text of Ministerial Schemes amended by this notice are obtainable from the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, P.O. Box 5336, Wellington.