Strategic Science Investment Fund

The Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) supports strategic investment in research programmes and scientific infrastructure that have long-term beneficial impact on New Zealand’s health, economy, environment and society.

The SSIF enables a coherent approach to science investment, providing a mechanism to prioritise and purchase science in areas that ensure the long-term stability and impact of the science system.

SSIF Programmes

SSIF Programmes are structured around science platforms. A science platform is 'a combination of people, facilities, information and knowledge that provide a particular, ongoing science and innovation capability for New Zealand'.

Funded programmes

  • Advanced Energy Technology platform
  • Antarctic Science platform
  • Crown Research Institute platforms
  • Data Science platform
  • Independent Research Organisation platforms
  • Infectious Disease Research platform
  • New Zealand Agricultural Green House Gas Research Centre
  • Ngā Rakau Taketake – combatting kauri dieback and myrtle rust
  • Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Development platform

SSIF Infrastructure

SSIF Infrastructure provides funding for access to and development of large-scale research infrastructure that is needed to undertake research in priority areas.

Funded infrastructure

  • Australian Synchrotron
  • Enhanced Geohazards Monitoring
  • Genomics Aotearoa
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Mission Operations Control Centre
  • National eScience Infrastructure
  • Nationally Significant Collections and Databases
  • Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand
  • Research Vessel Tangaroa
  • Review of scientific collections and databases

SSIF background and funding

Budget 2016 brought several existing investments into the new SSIF and announced additional funding of $63 million over 4 years. An extra $40.5 million was committed

As new priorities are identified and SSIF funding becomes available through Budget processes, organisations will be invited to respond to calls for proposals. Funding has been allocated on merit for proposals that meet the strategic goals and priorities in the SSIF investment plan and subsequent call for proposals. 

In 2023/24, SSIF investments total $348 million per year.  

Last updated: 18 October 2024