The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST)

Many of our current projects are funded by FRST, known as 'The Foundation'. Substantial co-funding for NZCEE projects is also provided by organisations such as Regional and District Councils, and Central Government agencies.

The Foundation provides over $500 million of government research funding per year to New Zealand to researchers in, for example, crown research institutions, universities, private and public research organisations. They are interested in conducting "Public good, science and technology" research.

What is public good, science and technology research?

Public good, science and technology research:

• is likely to increase knowledge and understanding of the physical, biological, cultural or social environment
• maintains or builds research skills and scientific expertise of importance to New Zealand
• is of benefit to New Zealand, but is unlikely to be funded from non-governmental sources.

Types of public good, science and technology research FRST invests in

Most of the research FRST invests in is defined as 'basic-targeted' or 'applied'. This means it is being carried out to deliver a benefit. Research to uncover knowledge which may have no commercial application is called basic-untargeted research.

FRST Research Portfolios include:

Research for Industry
Environmental Research
Social Research
Māori Knowledge and Development Research
PreSeed Accelerator fund
Sustainable Energy Development
New Economy Research Fund
International Investment Opportunities Fund

The majority of NZCEE's current projects are funded by FRST Environmental Research funds, which aims to:

• Resilient, Functioning and Restored Ecosystems (ECO) funding is for research that supports New Zealand's land, freshwater and marine ecosystems to operate, adapt or recover.
• Understanding and Adapting to Global Processes and Change (GLO) funding is for research to understand and adapt to global environmental change.
• Building Sustainable Cities and Settlements (SCS) funding is for research that improves environmental, social, cultural and economic management of New Zealand's cities and settlements.
• Maintaining Environmental Integrity for Sustainable Resource Use (SRU) funding is for research related to productive resource use, emphasising maintaining environmental integrity.