New Zealand-China Strategic Research Alliance Funding Programme 2024

The New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance (SRA) is an annual joint funding programme funded by the Catalyst Strategic Fund. It is a bilateral initiative between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).

This opportunity is open to New Zealand research organisations for projects that align with the objective of developing enduring science and innovation collaborative partnerships with world-class Chinese research organisations on topics important to both countries. Activities must significantly broaden and deepen collaborative research partnerships between China and New Zealand.

Objectives

• Catalyst: Strategic funds strategic research and large-scale pre-research collaborations with priority partners and in targeted areas that cannot be supported through other means.
• The objectives of Catalyst: Strategic Investment fund are to:
  • Leverage international research infrastructure and capabilities in areas posing significant science-based challenges to New Zealand and the international partners
  • Profile New Zealand science and innovation, and the ability to contribute to global science challenges.

Priorities

• The proposed projects must align with one of the two priority research areas which are Food Science and Environmental Science. Further sub-areas for these priority areas are listed below.
  • Food science
    • Animal and plant biotechnology
    • Alternative proteins
    • Biological hazards
    • Chemical hazards
    • Labelling and consumer information
    • Production, processing, and handling
  • Environmental science
    • Clean and renewable energy
    • Climate change
    • Biodiversity
    • Water research (including ocean research)
    • Natural hazards
    • Pollution on land and sea

Funding Information

• MBIE has made up to $1.2M (excluding GST) in total over three years available for investment in joint research partnerships between New Zealand and China that cannot be supported through existing funding.
• MBIE and MoST have agreed to support four projects through this funding round, two in each priority area of Food Science and Environmental Science. Up to $300,000 (excluding GST) over three years is available for the New Zealand research partners of each successful project.
• Chinese partners must apply for their own funding through MoST.

Outcomes

• The Catalyst: Strategic Investment fund seeks to achieve the following outcomes:
  • Targeted international partnerships to maximise the impact and quality of New Zealand science and innovation
  • Emerging international science cooperation opportunities are pursued and advanced to deliver benefits to New Zealand
  • International science and innovation leveraged in key areas, delivering benefits to New Zealand at a faster pace, of better quality or of greater impact than can otherwise be achieved.

Eligibility Criteria

• For a proposal to be assessed it must meet the eligibility criteria set out below. Proposals that do not meet all of these criteria will be declined for funding on eligibility grounds.
  • The proposal must be made by a New Zealand-based research organisation or a New Zealand-based legal entity representing a New Zealand-based research organization.
  • The Science Leader must be employed by a New Zealand-based research organisation, or a New Zealand- based legal entity representing a New Zealand-based research organization.
  • The proposal must involve collaboration from a Chinese research organisation (your Chinese partners must apply for their own funding through MoST).
  • The proposal must not be made by a department of the public service as listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020.
  • Proposals must not benefit a Russian state institution (including but not limited to support for Russian military or security activity) or an organisation outside government that may be perceived as contributing to the war effort.
  • Proposals must be uploaded by the closing date in the MBIE Portal and meet the administrative requirements of MBIE.
• Proposals which also involve world class partners from other countries will be accepted, where these demonstrate the potential for increased excellence and impact beyond what is achievable through a New Zealand and Chinese partnership alone. Proposals which involve private sector partners are also eligible.
• This fund has received a high number of applications in recent years, with typical success rates of five to seven per cent. Before deciding to submit an application, they encourage applicants to carefully consider the alignment to the objectives and likelihood of a proposal achieving the intended outcomes.

For more information, visit Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.