New Zealand’s top researchers will be able to investigate critical issues and build knowledge across the board supported by $85.64 million over the next three years through the 2018 Marsden Fund round, announced today by Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods.
The Marsden Fund supports New Zealand’s top researchers to conduct excellent research across science, mathematics, engineering, social science and the humanities.
This year 136 new proposals have received funding across a range of disciplines and topics, from climate change to kauri dieback to youth mental health.
Dr Woods said the government has set some ambitious targets – reducing child poverty, transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 in a normal hydrological year and increasing the supply of warm, dry homes.
“Building up the knowledge base is absolutely vital for us to address these issues, particularly with global challenges like climate change,” she said.
“These recipients will undertake research of the highest quality in their fields of expertise and raise the standard of research in New Zealand. The Marsden Fund is key to growing New Zealand’s innovation-led economy and society, and boosting our R&D investment.
“The diversity and strength of the research funded will have many flow-on effects for New Zealand’s science and innovation system, as well as long-term benefits for our environment, society and the economy. I congratulate all of the recipients announced today.”
The Marsden Fund is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Proposals are evaluated by independent assessment panels and the final recommendations for funding are made by the Marsden Fund Council, which is chaired by Professor David Bilkey.
The Minister said the full results and researcher contact details for media comment are on the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s website.
She steered people to the site in English: https://royalsociety.org.nz/news/new-marsden-fund-grants-2018
Source: Minister of Research, Science and Innovation
