Funding up to $804m announced for science challenges

File photo / NZ Herald

Funding of up to $804 million over 10 years has been announced for the second round of national science challenges.

In May, 10 national science challenges were announced by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and the funding for the first three released in October.

They are intended to focus New Zealand's research effort on the big science issues facing the country, he said.

Seven of the categories remain, including:

* Ageing Well - harnessing science to sustain health and wellbeing into the later years of life (up to $34.9 million over 10 years)

* A Better Start - improving the potential of young New Zealanders to have a healthy and successful life ($34.6 million over 10 years)

* Healthier Lives - research to reduce the burden of major New Zealand health problems ($36.7 million over 10 years)

* Science for Technological Innovation - enhancing the capacity of New Zealand to use physical and engineering sciences for economic growth ($116.5 million over 10 years)

* New Zealand's Biological Heritage - protecting and managing our biodiversity, improving our biosecurity, and enhancing our resilience to harmful organisms ($207.1 million over 10 years)

* Our Land and Water - research to enhance primary sector production and productivity while maintaining our land and water quality for future generations ($227.3 million over 10 years)

* Sustainable Seas - understanding how we can utilise our marine resources within environmental and biological constraints ($146.5 million over 10 years).

The request for proposals for the second batch of challenges will be issued on January 31, with proposals due by the end of April.