Scientists urge wider look at research funding

Scientists say a review that recommends an overhaul of Crown research institutes should be extended to look at how the broader science sector operates and is funded.

A report made public yesterday by a government taskforce said CRIs were operating under poor funding structures and a lack of clear directives.

CRIs are Crown-owned research companies which undertake science research for the government and the private sector.

The New Zealand Association of Scientists welcomed the report but said a similar review outside CRIs would be useful.

The review found that though there was no need to change the number of the eight CRIs, current funding arrangements, often short-term contracts, did not allow agencies to perform as well as they could. One problem was that there was undue emphasis on research and development that reflected well on individual CRIs, rather than on New Zealand's overall benefit.

The taskforce recommended that the Government set up one agency to manage contestable funds, and that it be made clearer to organisations what was expected.

It also encouraged greater collaboration between CRIs, which was difficult because they competed for funding.

Association of Scientists president James Renwick said the recommendations would be welcomed by CRI scientists, though there was no guarantee the Government would adopt them all. A similar review into the funding systems for scientists in industry and universities would be useful. New Zealand put less money into science than other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

Taskforce chairman Neville Jordan said there was enormous potential for CRIs to make a bigger contribution to New Zealand's future and the recommendations sought to make that possible.

Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly said the recommendations would help CRIs collaborate with businesses to help the economy grow.

Minister of Research Science and Technology Wayne Mapp said the report would be considered in coming weeks.

Crown Research Institutes

There are eight Crown research institutes. They are AgResearch, ESR, GNS Science, Industrial Research, Landcare Research, Niwa, Plant & Food Research, and Scion. CRIs employ 4500 people and together have annual revenues of $675 million. Outside health and IT, two thirds of publicly funded science researchers work at CRIs.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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