Chris Bishop
National List MP based in the Hutt South
Media statement
3 October 2016
Bishop encourages Curious Minds applications
National List MP Chris Bishop has welcomed the opening of the third round of the Unlocking Curious Minds contestable
science fund and is encouraging Hutt Valley research institutes, iwi, community groups, educational organisations, and
businesses to apply for funding.
“The Curious Minds fund supports innovative projects aimed at exciting and engaging young people, in particular those
who have limited opportunities to get involved with science and technology.
“This fits perfectly with our vision of the Hutt as “Technology Valley”, where our young people are interested in and
excited by STEM subjects like science, maths, and engineering.”
“Innovative projects like the Council’s ‘Hands on Hutt Science’, GNS Science’s ‘Action Planet’ (a hands-on approach to
help youth with learning disabilities learn about Planet Earth), and ‘Sensors in schools’ (a project to measure air
quality inside schools throughout the Hutt Valley) have all been funded in the past by the fund.
“If you are a Hutt educator, researcher, community group or business with a passion for helping kids into science and
innovation, I strongly encourage you to apply for funding”, says Mr Bishop.
The fund was piloted in 2015 and 2016, which funded almost 100 projects through research organisations, iwi, community
groups and educational organisations, and businesses around New Zealand. These projects have engaged an estimated
100,000 New Zealanders from all walks of life.
There are two levels of grants available: up to $30,000 for local projects, and up to $150,000 for regional or national
projects.
The Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund is an initiative under A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te
Mahara, the Government’s strategic plan to encourage all New Zealanders to get engaged with science and technology.
More information, including the Call for Proposals and all applications guidance, is available here.
Information on the MBIE Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund is available here.