News Release
17 September 2003
RESEARCH FUNDING FOR MAORI KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT
The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) and the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) are
jointly managing a fund for investment in research that contributes to Maori Knowledge and Development.
A total of $1.9m over three years has been made available to support research, identified by hapu, iwi and Maori
organisations.
Louisa Wall, HRC Kaiwhakahawere Rangahau Hauora Maori says the fund aims to support research that is driven by the
priorities identified by hapu, iwi and Maori organisations, and led by those groups, and to specifically encourage the
participation of Whare Wananga.
"Proposals, which will be investigator initiated, must also demonstrate that they are addressing a research issue of
strategic importance to a wider range of Maori groups," says Ms Wall.
"It is expected that the description of the pathways to engage these other Maori groups will be one of the outcomes of
the research," she says.
An additional $200,000 in 2003/2004 has been made available for seeding grants to enable hapu, iwi and Maori
organisations to develop strategic plans for research. This funding will enable these groups to identify their strategic
research priorities and link them up with the RS skills needed to progress these priorities.
Additional funding is available to a maximum of $125,000 per grant spread over two years for strategic development
grants. The purpose of these grants is to support doctoral or post-doctoral Maori researchers develop a research track
record in areas of importance for future Maori development.
These funds have become available in the 2003 budget for redistribution in the Maori Knowledge Development Output Class
and new vote allocation. In 2000 Government created a separate Maori Knowledge and Development output class in
recognition of the need for research that transcends the traditional sectorial boundaries of research because it deals
with all aspects of the Maori world.
Submission of an Expression of Interest
Hapu, iwi and Maori organisations who wish to apply for funding to support a research project need to submit an
application form or an Expression of Interest by 14 November 2003. Details of how to apply are available on www.hrc.govt.nz and www.frst.govt.nz