Science for Technological Innovation
Science for Technological Innovation was one of New Zealand's eleven collaborative research programmes known as National Science Challenges. Running from 2015 to 2024, the focus of Science for Technological Innovation research was physical science and engineering research for New Zealand's economic growth.
Establishment and governance
The New Zealand Government agreed in August 2012 to fund National Science Challenges: large multi-year collaborative research programmes that would address critical issues in New Zealand's future. The funding criteria were set out in January 2014, with proposals assessed by a Science Board within the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.After a planning phase in 2014, MBIE approved the Crown Research Institute Callaghan Innovation as a host for the project. SfTI was formally launched on 16 September 2015 by the Minister for Science and Innovation Steven Joyce; its inaugural director was Margaret Hyland. The Māori name of Science for Technological Innovation translates as Kia kotahi mai Te Ao Pūtaiao Te Ao Hangarau.
RNC was hosted by Callaghan Innovation, with twelve other New Zealand research partners: the University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, Massey University, Lincoln University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Waikato, AUT, GNS Science, AgResearch, Scion, and Lincoln Agritech. The Challenge involved over 285 researchers over 36 organisations. In November 2018 the project received a second tranch of funding, totaling $72.7 million.