Advancing science with increased investment

Increased investment in scientific research and innovation is welcomed by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

“We are extremely pleased to see the government increasing investment in scientific research and innovation and moving further towards the long term goal of 0.8% of GPD,” says Chief Executive Dr Andrew Cleland.

“The extra $410.5 million in science and innovation will provide New Zealanders with new knowledge and evidence that we can use to build our economy, support our environment and meet our social goals. The significant investment of $97 million over the next four years in health research announced last week was also a welcome part of this investment.

“The very welcome $66 million over 4 years increased investment in the Marsden Fund allows us to support more investigator-led research, which contributes through new discoveries and novel enquiry to New Zealand’s economic, environmental and social goals. We are delighted to see this commitment from the Government.

“The $15 million over 4 years increased investment in the Catalyst international Fund will support more collaboration projects between New Zealand researchers and international researchers. This is another welcome commitment from the Government.

“New Zealand needs to retain more of our excellent researchers and providing more opportunities for funding and international collaboration will contribute significantly to allowing us to do that.

“The lift in tuition subsidies for science and applied sciences recognises the importance of supporting excellent teaching in these disciplines.

“Support for science infrastructure, particularly in Crown Research Institutes and independent research organisations is welcome. The Society’s study on taxonomic collections released in 2015 illustrated the need for this form of support,” says Dr Cleland.

ENDS

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