FRSTNews
October 2009

From the Chief Executive

The Foundation’s focus has been evolving over the past few years. We are following our investments right through the life cycle, from tracking the progress of the research, to taking a much greater interest in the results, helping to ensure the findings are implemented and used by industry, business and government and assessing the ultimate benefit to New Zealand.

The need for greater certainty in the science funding system has been well articulated by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Peter Gluckman. The Foundation is working towards this goal by making investments for longer terms and thinking strategically about investing in the sectors and activities that are critically important to our future and will ensure value for money.

We are also committed to partnerships, with research organisations, industry groups, key government agencies and others who will ultimately use the knowledge generated by research to bring economic growth to New Zealand.

The changes we have made to our structure are designed to support these new directions.

Now that we are moving from just running contests to making greater use of negotiated investments, the need for organisational separation between our “making” and “managing” investments functions has changed. Reviewing the performance of our investments will also be increasingly important and will actively feed into our decision making process in future.

You will find more detail about our new look organisation later in the newsletter.

Building capability is a high priority for the Foundation. This means ensuring we are investing in areas of fundamental and applied science that can underpin future economic growth, training the scientists we need in the future, and growing the capability of businesses to carry out research and development.

We support many researchers by awarding Post Doctoral and Te Tipu Pūtaiao fellowships and will soon be announcing a new group of successful recipients. We have received a total of 80 applications from Post Doctoral students and 16 for Te Tipu Pūtaiao fellowships, which are designed to encourage emerging scientists and help explore potential research opportunities involving Māori knowledge.

It was a pleasure to have many of you join us recently in honouring up and coming scientific talent at the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards. It is both exciting and encouraging to see the calibre of research being carried out in universities and Crown research institutes and to meet some of New Zealand’s future science leaders. They bring confidence that we are in good hands.

Best Wishes

Murray Bain

Changes to the Foundation’s structure

The Foundation’s new structure formally came into effect on 24 August.

Our core investment functions have been reorganised to form two sector based groups which are responsible for the full range of investment functions, along with a dedicated Delivery Services Group.

The new sector based groups are as follows:

• Industry and Environment,
• and Manufacturing and High Growth Firms.

The sector groups will be driven by the requirement to achieve demonstrable outcomes – respectively ‘identifying and solving the big issues for New Zealand’ and ‘creating and growing export companies’ from our investments. The sector groups will work with end users, firms and research organisations to set strategies and to make and manage investment decisions that will benefit New Zealand.

Within these two groups will be a number of directors who will each focus on a particular sector. In the Industry and Environment Group the sectors are:

• environmental
• Māori, social and scholars
• infrastructure and energy
• primary, and
• food and bio-products.

Within the Manufacturing and High Growth Firms Group the sectors are:

• manufacturing & ICT, and
• biocommerce.

The new Delivery Services Group will oversee the relationships with research offices and will liaise directly with them on investment process issues, such as when information is due and contract management issues. This group is charged with ensuring our investment processing timelines are significantly shortened and streamlined and that they run smoothly and on time.

The Delivery Services Group is also responsible for our “review” function. The type and nature of reviews is currently being reviewed as part of our process improvement project.

The sector teams will work with different science groups within research organisations depending on the nature of the requirements/contracts. The sector teams will be responsible for ensuring strategic alignment of our interactions with research organisations and for internal coordination.

Reduced effort for annual reporting

The Foundation and other funding agencies have been working to improve processes and reduce transaction costs for research providers.

As part of that work, annual reporting for 08/09 public good contracts was streamlined, and the information gathered focused mainly on statutory information required by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

To assess whether the change to the reporting had made any difference to the workloads of individual researchers and research organisations, organisations representing 90 percent of current contracts were asked whether the changes had resulted in a substantial reduction, a reduction, or no reduction at all.

About 90 percent noted a reduction in researcher time taken to complete annual reporting compared to last year. A total of 70 percent reported a reduction in workload for research organisations.

While the responses showed a significant improvement on previous years, this year’s change to annual reporting was an interim measure and more work needs to be completed before final requirements are decided.

If you have any suggestions or improvements, please email feedback@frst.govt.nz with annual reporting suggestions in the subject line.

MacDiarmid winner uses nanotechnology to tackle vehicle emissions

The 2009 MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year is John Watt, a 27 year old in his final year of PhD studies at Victoria University of Wellington.

The MacDiarmid Awards are presented annually by the Foundation and are New Zealand’s most prestigious awards for emerging researchers.

John’s world-leading research uses nanotechnology, manipulating the shape and size of palladium nanoparticles with the aim of finding a cheap and effective way of removing toxic pollutants from vehicle exhausts.

John has already forged links with United Kingdom company Johnson Matthey, a specialty chemicals company and a world leader in the supply of precious metals. Johnson Matthey is studying samples John has provided to determine their suitability for pollution control systems.

Dr James Cookson, Senior Scientist at Johnson Matthey Technology Centre describes John as an ‘exceptional doctoral student’.

“His work is highly challenging and has produced some excellent results with great potential. Not only is John a highly talented scientist, he has also shown that he can clearly and concisely communicate with experts and general audiences alike – a skill we see as vital for engaging with the public and the next generation of scientists.”

John wins a cash prize of NZ$10,000, a trip to an international science event and receives the MacDiarmid medal. He receives a further $5,000 for winning the Future Science and Technology category.

Overall MacDiarmid Award runner up is Amy Whitehead, a PhD student at the University of Canterbury. Her research centres on the whio, or native blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos), an iconic species of New Zealand’s mountain rivers. Rapid decline of whio numbers are due to predators and loss of habitat. Amy’s research combines population and habitat surveys with computer modelling to assess whio numbers, habitat quality and the effectiveness of predator control programmes.

The Minister for Research, Science and Technology, the Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, told award finalists and an audience of around 400 at the gala awards evening that research focusing on excellence stretches the horizons of young researchers, and broadens society's possibilities.

Foundation chief executive Murray Bain described the research carried out by the emerging researchers as ground breaking, innovative and crucial for New Zealand’s future.

For a full list of awards visit:
http://www.frst.govt.nz/news/New+Zealand%E2%80%99s-Top-Young-Scientists-Announced

Natural Hazards Research Platform launched

The Minister of Research, Science and Technology the Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, has launched the Foundation’s first research platform at a well attended event hosted by GNS Science in Lower Hutt.

Guests also included the Hon John Carter, Minister of Civil Defence.

The pilot platform is focused on natural hazards and brings together a range of organisations to coordinate research that will improve New Zealand’s ability to withstand the impact of physical hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

Natural hazards was chosen for the first research platform because New Zealand already has a nationally endorsed Civil Emergency Management Strategy, providing clear direction for platform research.

Dr Mapp told guests at the launch the new structure is one of the important changes being made to get a better balance in New Zealand’s funding system between negotiated and contestable research investments.

GNS Science is the host organisation for the Natural Hazards Research Platform and one of two key collaborators, or anchor organisations, together with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

Natural hazards research being carried out by both Crown research institutes will form the core of the platform with a range of other organisations eligible to have research projects included in the platform. Those organisations are the universities of Canterbury and Auckland, Massey University and Opus International Consultants.

However Foundation Chief Executive Murray Bain says collaboration goes wider than that.

“We also want the platform partners to work closely with government, to ensure research is aligned with current priorities, and also with those who will ultimately use the research findings including Civil Defence, the Earthquake Commission and regional councils throughout New Zealand.”

The Natural Hazards Research Platform will receive funding of around $13 million per annum for an initial investment period of 10 years.

Evaluation of Research for Industry (RFI) fund

The Foundation is undertaking an evaluation of the performance of the Research for Industry (RFI) fund.

The purpose of this evaluation is to look at the impact of the fund using information from 2002 contracts. While we will be evaluating all contracts during that period using data we already hold, a number of contract holders and end users will be asked to assist us by providing additional information.

We have engaged the services of independent firm, Infometrics, to carry out this work.

This work is being undertaken in conjunction with the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology’s review of the economic impact of industry research and we will endeavour to make sure detailed information is only collected once.

The results of the evaluation will be used to:

• Demonstrate the impact of spending on RFI
• Demonstrate value for money from expenditure on RFI
• Inform the Foundation’s operational processes
• Inform the Foundation’s investment decisions, and
• Meet the Foundation’s accountability obligations in regard to the Statement of Intent.

A copy of the Terms of Reference for this evaluation is available on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Alf Kirk, Strategy and Performance Manager, on 04 917 7838.

Affordable help from experts

The Global Expert search service is now cheaper and more accessible.

Global Expert offers fast, confidential introductions to experts who can solve the toughest technical or market challenges faced by New Zealand businesses.

International searches now cost $1995+ GST while New Zealand searches cost $495 + GST. The new prices include the same high quality standards and service.

Global Expert searches find help for companies in four key areas:

• product and process development
• international supply chain
• technology and market assessment, and
• overcoming regulatory barriers to trade.

All Global Expert clients are eligible to apply for funding for up to 50 percent of the expert’s fees for qualified research and development projects.

To find out more visit www.frst.govt.nz/expert

Global Expert finds the right talent

Meat Biologics Research Limited is a research consortium established in 2002 to develop novel functional foods and health supplements from red meat or red meat co-products. These supplements, called meat bioactives, are targeted for use by humans for general health and wellbeing.

The consortium wanted assurance, in the form of an international, independent review of its science, that its iron deficiency supplement project was moving in the right direction as it reached an important development milestone in the commercialisation process.

Because of commercial sensitivities, Meat Biologics had been unable to publish papers or get other forms of industry peer review of its science and needed to identify suitably qualified scientists to form a four-member review panel. However, finding the right people was difficult, says Consortium Manager Kaylene Larking.

Global Expert identified eight world-leading panel candidates with Meat Biologics selecting a professor from Switzerland after carrying out interviews.

“We got eight hours of free expert advice during those candidate interviews and even if that was all we got, the knowledge we gained and the exposure it gave us among these world experts would have been worth its weight in gold.”

Miss Larking says the relationships established as a result of the Global Expert search are continuing as Meat Biologics heads towards commercialisation, adding another dimension to the benefits gained from the Global Expert programme.

Read the full story.

Changing focus for science advisor

Science quality, international linkages and ensuring New Zealand has the scientific capability it needs for the future are priorities for Chief Science Advisor Dr Prue Williams under the Foundation’s new structure.

Dr Williams is responsible for ensuring the Foundation’s investments are appropriately balanced between basic and applied research. She oversees the membership of advisory panels convened by the Foundation to assess the scientific quality of research proposals, making sure they have the best people on them and are only investing in proposals that score high grades.

Dr Williams will be working across both the Foundation’s sector based groups - Industry and Environment and Manufacturing and High Growth Firms – to encourage development of strong international connections.

She says many individual scientists have international linkages that support their research but the Foundation will also be identifying new opportunities.

“In a number of key regions, including North America, Europe and Asia, we have research, science and technology agreements and common areas of interest where there is potential for collaboration.

“We want our research to be world leading and that can only happen if we are linked to the best in the world.”

She says international connections are also important because of New Zealand’s relatively small size.

“There is equipment New Zealand can never afford to have and our specialist capability is inevitably small – we might have one specialist in the whole country while an overseas university has 20. It makes sense for us to tap into those resources through collaboration.”

She says the research carried out by this year’s MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year, John Watt, is an excellent example of the value added by international connections. John has studied at both Stanford University in the United States and Oxford University in the United Kingdom and forged links with a British company that is interested in his research into using palladium nanoparticles to reduce toxic emissions from cars.

“Those linkages were one of the reasons his work stood out,” says Dr Williams who was a member of the MacDiarmid Awards judging panel.

Another area of responsibility is reviewing Foundation investments to ensure scientific capability needed for the future is built into research proposals, especially long term projects.

Under the Foundation’s new structure Dr Williams is no longer responsible for managing the reviews we carry out of our research contracts. This function will be carried out by the Delivery Services Group allowing for improved integration with other processes. However Dr Williams maintains a strong interest in reviews and will be monitoring outcomes to ensure good science quality.

Working with Iwi

A project is underway that aims to achieve more effective engagement between Iwi and the New Zealand science system.

Together the Foundation and Iwi are identifying key research priorities and developing Iwi-specific research and development strategies from an Iwi world view.

This work will inform Foundation investments and help to ensure consistency between Iwi research priorities and the Government’s broader science priorities.

The goal is two-fold – to improve the productivity of the Iwi asset base and, as a result, contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth.

The work with Iwi is aligned with the opportunities identified in the Vision Mātauranga policy framework developed by the Ministry for Research, Science and Technology.

To find out more visit http://www.morst.govt.nz/current-work/vision-matauranga

Exciting research in new contracts

An exciting range of new research is underway as a result of the latest investments approved by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. A total of 38 contestable contracts involving 15 organisations and valued at $136 million will be carried out over the next two to six years.

The following examples highlight the broad range of research being funded:

• National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) researchers will use sophisticated data-logging tracking devices to learn more about the interaction of iconic New Zealand species, such as dolphins, sharks and albatross. The research will develop scientifically based marine management plans that maximise protection while minimising regulatory restrictions. It will also foster a new approach to the conservation of some of New Zealand’s threatened iconic marine animals, and generate significant new knowledge of globally threatened yet poorly studied species. Scientists will use geographic information systems (GIS) and advanced modelling techniques and an overlay of risk assessment to produce predictive, dynamic and precise maps identifying critical habitats requiring protection and other areas that may be opened for sustainable fishing
• University of Otago researchers are launching a three year study to learn more about what motivates New Zealand households to use energy more efficiently. Researchers estimate New Zealand could save around $1.8 billion by 2016 if households changed their habits and starting using just one third of the available energy efficiency techniques, and
• Landcare Research is investigating New Zealand’s fragmented approach to managing natural resources with a goal of reshaping the process of resource allocation and management to ensure New Zealand can preserve its natural advantages and capitalise on them.

Other contracts include research into emerging energy technologies such as carbon capture and storage, knowledge that will help develop sustainable waste management systems, pest control for biosecurity, coastal conservation and restoration research projects.

Foundation Chief Executive Murray Bain says the investment round supports some ground breaking scientific research with the potential to deliver substantial benefits to New Zealand.

All the contracts took effect from 1 October, 2009.

A full list of the 38 successful contracts is available at:
http://www.frst.govt.nz/files/images/news/2009_Approved_List_of_Contracts_title.pdf