MBIE Science and Innovation

"We're just making so many discoveries of things that we're still trying to understand as we're finding them, things that haven't really been seen before.” 🧊 NIWA marine biogeochemist Dr Sarah Seabrook recently spent five weeks in Antarctica studying methane seeps below the ice – cracks or fissure that allow methane to escape from below the seafloor. Our Changing World’s Dr Claire Concannon caught up with Sarah and marine ecologist Dr Leigh Tait as they used divers and an ROV to further explore sites where methane seeps had been reported. 🥽 How many seeps are there? Are they all connected? And why are new ones emerging now? 🔊 Listen here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eVkPk7Vd 📸 Leigh Tait

The University of Otago have released a documentary about the late Emeritus Distinguished Professor Richie Poulton (CNZM, FRSNZ), Director of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study.   Produced by Jonathan Molloy, Richie and family speak to the immense mahi Richie dedicated his life to and the taonga they passed on. Richie was dedicated to the Dunedin Study and to using the gift that the Study members gave for the betterment of all New Zealanders.   https://lnkd.in/gkGF2Fpu   The Dunedin Study which began in 1972 continues with funding from the MBIE-administered Strategic Science Investment Fund through to 30 June 2031.   https://lnkd.in/g_ncGmm8

The Gene Technology Bill passed its first reading in Parliament last night. https://lnkd.in/g3sKPUZA Gene technology (also known as genetic engineering or genetic modification) has been used in New Zealand for a long time. The updated rules intend to support our scientists in using gene technologies to make advancements in healthcare and climate change, protect our unique environment, lift our agricultural productivity, and boost exports. Like Australia, a regulator will be established to allow New Zealand to manage the risks of these technologies and ensure that the health and safety of people and the environment are protected. New Zealanders will get the chance to have their say during the full select committee process that will open shortly and run for six months. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/gnPJVURJ https://lnkd.in/ganDh2a4

✨ Awesome to see such deserving winners of the inaugural Prime Minister's Space Prizes. Congratulations Robin McNeill, Cairo Akehurst and Tianyi Mathur 👏 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gFQDH32d

Two New Zealand research teams have been selected for funding to work with partners from Japan and Thailand on cutting edge collaborative research related to alternative energy. ⚛️ 🌳 Investigators from GNS Science and Scion aim to take biological waste material, such as forestry waste, and turn it into valuable chemicals and hydrogen gas to use as an energy source. ☀️ Investigators from the The MacDiarmid Institute at Victoria University of Wellington are looking into the future of solar cell technology. A new computational platform will greatly reduce the time and cost of searching for new materials and solar device structures. $400,000 over three years will be provided to each project through the MBIE-administered Catalyst Fund, to begin work from early 2025. https://lnkd.in/gb2HyyFg

Ten Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships have been awarded in the 2024 inaugural round. Read about the Fellows on the Royal Society Te Apārangi website 👇

📣 Join us today for Day 3 of the European Research Days 2024 - Oceania (Register: https://lnkd.in/e6d-5huQ) which is themed on "Horizon Europe and Association". We have an amazing speaker line-up to explain: 🔹 Association to Horizon Europe, current status, and significance 🔹 Panel on Association of third countries to Horizon Europe 🔹 Status of New Zealand’s Horizon Europe Participation 🔹 New Zealand’s National Contact Points (NCPs) Structure 🔹 Experience sharing by a Horizon Europe Project - Minority Report 🗓️11 Dec (18:00 AEDT) European Union Delegation to Australia, European Union in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific, EU Science, Research and Innovation, European Research Executive Agency (REA) #ERDOceania #HorizonEurope #HorizonEU #Research #Innovation #StrongerTogether

MBIE and AI Singapore are calling for joint proposals for ‘Leveraging AI for Healthy Ageing’. Seeking to answer the question, how can AI help enhance health outcomes (including brain health) for older individuals at risk of age-related conditions? Up to $12 million over 3 years is available through the Catalyst Fund for up to 3 research projects that use novel, scalable, cost-effective AI solutions to address neurological and mental conditions among older people. The goal is to reduce the healthcare burden, address the wider societal impacts of ageing, and improve the quality of life for the older population. 🖥️ If you’re interested in finding out more, register to attend our information webinar on 12 December, 2:00pm – 4:30pm NZST https://lnkd.in/gv5BDf8s 👉 Joint Proposals must be submitted in the AISG online portal by 17 March 2025 12:00pm (SGT) / 5:00pm (NZST). More info here: https://lnkd.in/gWvXYjKY

The Catalyst Fund Investment Plan, which covers the next four years to 30 June 2028, is now live on the MBIE website.   The Catalyst Fund invests in science, technology and innovation activities that initiate, develop, and foster international collaborations to positively transform New Zealand’s economy, environment, and society.   The investment plan outlines the focus for this fund, to drive scientific excellence and deliver impact at a faster pace than could otherwise be achieved solely via domestic activities. It reflects the broad and varied nature of Catalyst Fund investments, from small seeding and travel grants through to longer-term, large-scale strategic investments. It focuses funding on areas of quantum technology, health, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, space, and Antarctic research.   Read the plan: https://lnkd.in/gyM8JyBc

MBIE and Singapore's A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research are calling for proposals for a new Biotech in Future Foods Research Programme. 🔬 Up to $12 million over 3 years is available through the Catalyst Fund for up to 4 research projects that address challenges in health and nutrition or smart and sustainable processes. 🥗 Future foods are defined as innovative food products and ingredients that employ advanced biotechnology solutions in the food manufacturing process to achieve improved sustainability, accessibility, and nutritional profiles compared to traditional food systems. 🖥️ If you’re interested in finding out more, register to attend our information webinar on 9 December, 2:30pm – 4:30pm NZST https://lnkd.in/gDEqxWBn 👉 Joint Proposals must be submitted by email to A*STAR (cc'd MBIE), by 5pm NZST (12pm Singapore Standard Time) on 28 February 2025. More info here: https://lnkd.in/g7wxiPFZ