Proposals Invited for 2012 Energy and Minerals Research Fund

The Ministry of Science and innovation (MSI) is inviting interested applicants to apply for funding to undertake work consistent with the objectives in its 2012 Sector Investment Plans. One of these Sector Investment plans relate to Energy and Minerals.

The Energy and Minerals Research Fund has a total of $12m per annum invested for research. Of this approximately $3.5 million p.a. will be available for investment in new programmes in accordance with the RFP, commencing October 2012.

Fund objectives

The objective of the Energy and Minerals Research Fund is to support sustainable and efficient energy generation, improve energy security and increased export returns from energy and minerals exports, whilst minimizing the impact on the environment from these activities.

Applicants should read the Energy and Minerals Sector Plan, RFP and Preliminary Guidelines downloadable from their site here.

The RFP provides specific direction on the investment priorities, associated research questions and indicative funding available for each specific research area/research question.

Examples Extracted from the RFP

Energy Use, efficiency and conservation: What new or improved ideas can be developed for achieving improved management of the impact of renewable energy resources on the energy systems or its components.
Understanding and managing supply variability of renewable resources: What economic and technical models can be utilised to evaluate the potential impact of renewable energy feeding into our distribution networks?
Gas hydrates: Building on research that has already been conducted, where are the highest graded gas hydrate resources located, what are their estimated size and characteristics and how will these aspects indicate the commercial viability for potential extraction?
Environmental impact of mining: Building on research that has already been conducted, what approaches can be developed to facilitate the understanding and management of environmental impacts of onshore and off shore mining?

Who may apply?

Researchers from pubic research organisations and other providers of research that will benefit New Zealand are eligible to apply. Proposals from researchers from private sector organisations are not eligible if the scientific research, development or associated technology transfer activities are solely for the benefit of that organisation.

Timelines

Proposals are due: 3^rd April 2012.
Investment decision announcements will be made: late August 2012
Contract commences: October 2012.

Further information

Check out the MSI site - Energy and Minerals Research Fund