Science fund cuts further blow for uni
At this week's university council meeting, Otago University vice-chancellor Grant Robertson mentioned the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) had cut the Endeavour Fund for at least a year while the government works out the new structure of science funding.
"Grants due to expire at the end of October are being given a one-year funded extension instead, but this will also act as an impediment to research productivity, requiring new projects and programmes to wait another full year (or more in some cases) before being able to apply for funding," he said.
The Endeavour Fund is an open, contestable process that focuses on research excellence and broad impacts.
Otago University Endeavour Fund past projects include "future-proofing software reputation and skills development", "development of a multidimensional, fine-scale mapping toolkit for adaptive fisheries management" and "a rapid, point of need diagnostic test for infectious diseases in livestock"
It has two separate strands of funding: "Smart Ideas", which rapidly tests promising, innovative research ideas, and "Research Programmes", which rewards ongoing research which is "ambitious, excellent and well-defined".
There was typically about $17 million available a year in Endeavour's Smart Ideas tranche and $38m a year in the Research Programmes.
MBIE manager for contestable investments Alan Coulson said this cut was a "one-off" to allow the science system reforms to be implemented.
"Endeavour funding will continue to be invested in excellent science with the potential to positively impact New Zealand's economy, environment and society.
"We are working with Science New Zealand, Universities New Zealand and the Independent Research Association of New Zealand (IRANZ) to ensure allocation is done in a fair and equitable way."
Mr Coulson said the available funding for the 2026 Endeavour round would still be allocated into research, science and technology projects.
"It's only the allocation mechanism that is changing for 2026, which is by extending existing Endeavour projects rather than funding new projects.
"Holding off applications for the 2026 round provides some certainty of funding for Crown Research Institutes working through the mergers into their new configurations."
It comes shortly after the government's decision to cut all humanities and social sciences research funding from the Marsden Fund.
Otago University acting deputy vice-chancellor research and enterprise Dr Martin Gagnon said the decision would affect the university's research.
"Taken in isolation, the effect is manageable but does represent a lost opportunity for our researchers who were planning to apply to this round and may find themselves short on funding."
"On the grander scale, this is yet another knock to the New Zealand research funding ecosystem, following the end of humanities and social sciences funding by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, and the sunset of National Science Challenges."
Dr Gagnon said a dollar of research today bought "a lot less than it did 10 years ago".
"It's getting harder to do research in New Zealand, and without proper investments we risk losing capacity, talent and impact."
matthew.littlewood@odt.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
8 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Special tax change for fossil fuel companies was proposed ahead of Budget 2025, ministers went for $200m co-investment option
A tax deduction change specifically for some expenditure by fossil fuel companies was initially proposed as a potential Budget 2025 option to increase gas production in New Zealand. Officials from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) advised ministers the option would 'provide a greater benefit' than the Investment
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Lost satellite cost NZ extra $3m because of delays
Artist rendering of MethaneSat. Photo: Supplied / Environmental Defence Fund A satellite that has been lost in space cost taxpayers $32 million, $3m more than originally planned, because of delays. The extra cost was to staff a mission control that will now never be used to drive the satellite. Leading scientists say too few questions were asked before deciding to invest in the mission, and red flags were missed. However New Zealand Space Agency and scientists who worked on the mission say New Zealand has gained valuable experience. The Space Agency, which sits inside the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), says multiple delays to the satellite's launch meant University of Auckland needed more money to keep employing staff at its mission control centre. The agency says $26m of the total was spent on New Zealand-based organisations. Delays to the launch pushed out the date when the university was meant to take over the mission control. The handover was then delayed another six months when the satellite was handed back to its manufacturer to work on unspecified problems. The handover was finally due to happen in late June, when the satellite was lost. The final cost to the government included $6m to the MethaneSAT organisation for flight software and other items, $12m to Rocket Lab for scoping and establishing the mission control, which it ran for the first year after launch, $6m to the University of Auckland to operate the mission control centre after Rocket Lab handed it over, and $6m to Earth Sciences NZ (formerly NIWA) for a science programme to measure farming's emissions methane from space. The final $2m was for MBIE to manage the programme. Earth Sciences NZ says the agricultural science programme already has a wealth of data and will continue as planned. The lead scientist for MethaneSAT says there's very little chance the satellite will be recovered. The mission is a collaboration with the US-based Environmental Defense Fund. Its chief scientist and MethaneSAT mission lead Dr Steven Hamburg said they did not know what caused the satellite to lose power and become unresponsive on 20 June. "There's a very small chance, we were able to observe it by using another satellite to look at it and it does not currently have power. We are working it, we continue to work it, but we have to be realistic the probability of recovery is diminishing." Hamburg said a group was investigating the cause. RNZ has been asking about problems with the satellite since September and was previously told its issues were "teething problems" . Hamburg said the MethaneSAT had been transparent, and the Space Agency said the mission had kept people as informed "as possible." However University of Auckland physics professor Richard Easther said the space craft carrying the methane detector "seems to have had fairly persistent and deep-seated problems, pretty much from launch." He said for most of the year it had been in orbit, it was not functioning properly. Associate Professor Nicholas Rattenbury of the Department of Physics at University of Auckland said he sympathised with those involved in the mission, but the question needed to be asked of whether New Zealand should have taken a closer look "under the hood" before investing in MethaneSAT. Dr Rattenbury questioned who was asking questions on behalf of taxpayers about the mission design, satellite construction and testing before the government committed the money. He said the science sector had "very limited resources" to spend. Space Minister Judith Collins has declined to comment on the loss or whether the public had been adequately informed during the mission. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
Commonsense Changes To Insulation Rules
Minister for Building and Construction Overly rigid insulation rules are being removed to ease costs for designers, builders and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. 'I've heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs. 'The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation – known as the Schedule Method – doesn't allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home's energy efficiency, like adjusting window size. 'This has led to designers and homeowners having to over-insulate in certain areas to achieve Building Code compliance, offering little extra energy efficiency benefit at a significant cost. 'To address this, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will remove the current Schedule Method in favour of more flexible alternatives. 'Smarter online tools now let us take a balanced, whole-of-home approach to energy efficiency – enabling builders and designers to measure a home's total heat loss instead of being locked into prescriptive requirements. 'Using adaptable Calculation and Modelling Methods is shown to cut the cost of an average new build by up to $15,000. 'The government will now work closely with the sector to ensure a smooth transition before the change takes effect. 'The Schedule Method will be removed from the Building Code's Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods for Energy Efficiency by the end of the year, followed by a 12-month transition period to give the sector time to adjust. 'I've also directed officials to explore designating the Far North as a separate climate zone under the Building Code, responding to calls from local leaders to ease insulation rules in the region. 'The Far North District Council made a strong case in its energy-efficiency review submission, highlighting that the region's warmer climate and need for affordable housing allow for a more tailored approach. 'I've heard from the district council that building costs in the Far North are approaching $5,000 per square metre. They're pushing for change to deliver more homes for locals at a reasonable price – an ambition I fully support. 'In my view, recognising Northland's unique climate with a separate zone is a sensible step that could lower costs and unlock much-needed housing supply. 'MBIE will consult on any proposed changes to the region's climate zone designation before final decisions are made, and I look forward to hearing feedback from the public. 'This Government is committed to making commonsense changes and cutting construction red tape to make building easier and more affordable – putting more roofs over Kiwi heads, while ensuring those homes stay safe and dry for our families.' Notes In the context of thermal performance in buildings, insulation refers to materials that reduce heat transfer by acting as a barrier between two areas. This includes products like fibreglass, wool, and glazing. Updated documents with the Schedule Method removed are expected to be published in November 2025. A 12-month transition period will run thereafter, so designers can continue using the old documents with the Schedule Method. MBIE will support the sector with guidance on how to use the more flexible Calculation Method to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code.
