4 October 2001 Media Statement
Applications called for new Centres of Research Excellence Fund
Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey today announced applications are now being sought for
the new $60m Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE) fund.
Funding was provided in the budget to establish specialist centres of research excellence which will operate at the
leading edge of their field within the international research community. Operating expenditure of $40.6 million over
four years, and one-off capital funding of $20m for investment in strategic research assets this financial year, has
been allocated for the Fund. It is expected that 3-6 centres will receive funding.
Mr Maharey said that the Government has now signed off the selection criteria which will be used to determine which
applications for funding will be successful.
"Research is fundamental to developing New Zealand as a knowledge society. The CoRE Fund is designed to encourage
greater concentration and networking of high quality specialised research resources in the tertiary sector.
"The Government has now agreed on the selection criteria which will be used when deciding who should receive CoRE
funding. To be successful, applications will have to demonstrate that they will support research that is of excellent
(world class) quality, focused on New Zealand’s future economic and social development and that will lead to the
transfer of knowledge.
"The selection process will be managed independently by the Royal Society of New Zealand.
“Centres of research excellence will be funded for up to 6 years, subject to a review at the mid-point. One-off capital
payments can be made to centres in their first year of operation to contribute to the purchasing of strategic research
assets.
"The centres of research excellence are to be primarily inter-institutional research networks with the researchers
working together on a commonly agreed work programme. Any tertiary education institution can nominate itself as the
‘host’ institution for a centre.
“Application forms will be available on Monday, 8 October from the Royal Society. Information has also been posted on
the Royal Society's website at www.rsnz.govt.nz/funding/core. The closing date for applications is Monday, 3 December
2001," Steve Maharey said.
ENDS