[Slide 1: Presentation opens with the MBIE branded presentation title screen entitled “Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund Webinar: Wednesday 18 September 2024”. A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks]
Nau mai haere mai tatou katoa. Ki te kaupapa o te ra the Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, it's a real pleasure to have you with us today to introduce the Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund for this year. We'll start off with the MBIE karakia, and the MBIE karakia outlines our values.
[Slide 2: Next presentation slides appears displaying the text for the MBIE opening karakia. A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
That we're trying to pursue within this Fund as well as the funds across MBIE.
Tāwhia tō mana kia mau, kia māia, Ka huri taku aro ki te pae kahurangi,
kei reira te orana mōku
Mā mahi tahi, ka ora, ka puāwai
Ā mātau mahi katoa, ka pono, ka tika
Tihei Mauri Ora
Retain and hold fast to your mana, be bold, be brave
We turn our attention to the future, that's where the opportunities lie.
By working together, we will flourish and achieve greatness
Taking responsibility to commit to doing things right.
Let us now begin.
[Slide 3: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on housekeeping rules for the webinar. A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
In a few housekeeping, er, our housekeeping tools. Uh well, first of all, I'm Willy-John Martin and I'm the director of Māori Science, Innovation and Technology, and I'll be here to help answer some of the questions later on. But I'm joined today with, by Alan Coulson and Emily Chapman, who will introduce themselves throughout this this presentation today. Please feel free to ask questions and please use the Q&A function when you do so. I think the chat function should is turned off, so please do zero in on the Q&A functions and just to let you know that the recording of this webinar will be available on our website after this meeting as soon as we can get it up on the website so, kia ora.
[Slide 4: Next presentation slides appears displaying the outline of the presentation. A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
In this presentation today, we'll give you an overview of the Fund and describe some of the Application and Assessment process. Part of the Assessment process and Application process will mean uploading your application into our system, Pītau, and there are some guidelines that we'll share with you to help that be a little easy, words for the wise, so to speak and then some general advice to all applications to applicants, to you.
[Slide 5: Next slide appears displaying information on the Fund’s aim | Te Whāinga o te Tahua. A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
There are a few aims of this Fund, and the main ones are to strengthen the capability, capacity, skills and networks between Māori and the SIT the Science, Innovation and Technology system. Another aim is to increase the understanding of how scientific research can contribute to the aspirations of Māori organisations, groups, talents and deliver benefits for Māori and New Zealand at large.
[Slide 6: Next slide appears displaying information on the funding available | he aha te pūtea e wātea ana? A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
If you are applying for a fund that, err, for a project that's a year long, you can apply for up to 150,000 dollars. And if you're you're applying for a project that takes longer than that and up to two years, you can apply for a total of 250,000 dollars. There's a total funding pool of 2 million dollars and so the the projects will be awarded up to that amount.
[Slide 7: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on updates to the 2025 investment round. A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
There have been some updates in this investment round, err, one update is the manner in which the applications are submitted to our our portal called Pītau. So, a real tip tip here is to start getting your Pītau access sorted early. Because there's often a big flurry at the at the end, err, near the closing date and sometimes that can prove prove very troublesome, as we all know, technology can sometimes not be our bestest friend in a short period of time. So if you start looking at that access early all the better. There's also some changes in the terminology in Pītau that that relate to, for those who have applied in the past, there are different terms, and so it would be good to familiarise yourself with those selves of those different terms as well.
This year, a really big push in the system is outcomes and particularly scientific outcomes, and so a real big part of building capacity in the science system is doing some science and producing some scientific outcomes. And we've we've also produced, provided a description for those who are wanting to some clarification about what that means for their application and it'll be really important to make sure that when you're communicating this in your application in your title, in your description, that those outcomes are clearing and to the fore.
I'd now like to pass the time over to Alan.
[Slide 8: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on the eligibility criteria | ko wai e āhei ana ki te tono? A picture of the presenter Alan Coulson is inlaid at the top right.]
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks]
Kia ora koutou, ko Alan Coulson taku ingoa, I'm the Manager of Contestable Investments and Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, Fund manager. So the following settings of the Fund that I'm going to talk through are the same as they have been in previous years, so nothing unfamiliar here. In the first slide I’ll just talked through the eligibility criteria.
So, err, applications must be made by a New Zealand based single legal entity. There has to be a lead applicant. Every application needs to include both a Māori organisation and a Research organisation or an individual researcher. So, the first is an and the second is an or. Umm, you can't have had the work programme funded anywhere else by another government funding scheme, so this needs to be for original research. VMCF does not include funding for full time tertiary or school students. So be careful not to base your programme entirely around funding a tertiary or school student. The majority of the work must occur in the programme, in Aotearoa New Zealand. Additionally, the programme must not be for the benefit of the Russian state. Umm, as Willy-John has alluded to, our new investment manager system management system is Pītau, so applicants applications must be submitted through the Pītau system. Applications must be for one of the two schemes in VMCF, the Connect scheme or the Placement scheme. And you must address one or more of the Vision Mātauranga themes.
[Slide 9: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on the investment schemes | Ngā Kaupapa Haumitanga. A picture of the presenter Alan Coulson is inlaid at the top right.]
So, the two themes are the Connect scheme, Kaupapa tūhono, which builds connections, new connections between Māori organisations, and the SI and T system. The other scheme is the Placement scheme, Kaupapa ika tauhou, enhancing the development of an individual or individuals through a placement in the partner organisation.
So just to be clear, existing relationships are eligible, but the proposal needs to show that you're going above and beyond business as usual and building new capability, so that it has to be it has to be an element of additionality in the proposal where you building on an existing relationship.
[Slide 10: Next presentation slides appears displaying information about the Vision Mātauranga Policy Themes – 4 black and white graphic illustrations, not contributing to the content are shown. These include three mountains, landscape, woven basket and trees. A picture of the presenter Alan Coulson is inlaid at the top right.]
And the four Vision Mātauranga policy themes that are referred to. So, the first is Indigenous Innovation, which is defined as contributing to economic growth through distinctive science and innovation, taiao achieving environmental sustainability through iwi and hapū relationships with land and sea. Mātauranga, exploring indigenous knowledge in science and innovation, and the fourth theme is Hauora/oranga, improving health and social wellbeing. Now, as I mentioned in the eligibility criteria, VMFC proposals cannot address only, hauora theme, the Health Research Council runs its own VMCF fund for programmes that address purely a hauora theme.
And I will now pass on to Emily, who will tell you how the application process works.
[Slide 11a: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on the application and assessment process | te tukanga tono me te aromatawai. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks]
Kia ora koutou, ko Emily Chapman taku ingoa. I'm a senior investment manager in the Contestable Investments team and the current Fund Lead for the VMCF 2025 Round, umm, yeah, so this section is going to talk about kind of what happens once you submit an application. So, all proposals need to be submitted into Pītau by 12 noon on the 16th of October.
Once we receive all of the proposals, umm here at MBIE we’ll then start our eligibility checks, so this will check against those nine criteria that Alan mentioned previously. If we do have any questions relating to, umm, any of the answers, umm, we may follow up with you. So please be aware, if there are any, you'll kind of receive those emails kind of just after submissions close.
All eligible proposals will then be passed on to our Independent Assessment panel, umm and they will be assessed between November and December of this year, before the Assessment panel meet in February of next year to kind of discuss and come together on a consensus score for each of the proposals.
So next slide please, Nicky.
[Slide 11b: The independent assessment panel members appear on the right-hand side of the slide via animation. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
So, umm, this is kind of informally confirmed, but this is what this year's Independent Assessment panel, the individuals will consist of. But noting this is subject to change and and we do hope to have all the Assessor bios available on our website by the end of September. And we do ask if you do see any direct or indirect conflict of interest with any of these, umm, Assessment panel members please reach out to the VMCF mailbox and let us know and we can guide you as to whether we think it is umm, a conflict or not.
[Slide 12: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on the assessment criteria | ngā paearu aromatawai. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
Yeah. So, what will the assessment panel be looking at? So, they'll be, umm, kind of assessing proposals against our 4 assessment criteria and these are broken down into two kind of sections. We have Excellence and we have Impact, umm, with all four questions being equally rated at 25%.
So, for excellence, we have the development of people, relationships and skills. So here we're kind of looking for to what extent are the longer-term skills, capabilities, networks, relationships and research opportunities likely to emerge and sustained from the projects that you submit.
For the ability to deliver, we're kind of looking at the likelihood of the proposed outputs of the project will be achieved.
And then we move on to the Impact side. So we have the Vision Mātauranga outcomes where we're looking at kind of to what extent do this project support the Vision Mātauranga policy and also support unlocking the science, innovation and technology potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people that would benefit Aotearoa New Zealand.
And then finally, we have benefits to science, innovation and technology. So here, we'd like you to describe kind of how will the increased capability, capacity, skills and networks benefit the science, innovation and technology system and also kind of what do you expect the post contract impact of your work to be.
Uh, next section please.
[Slide 13a: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on the contracting process. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
So once the assessment panel have assessed all of the proposals and come to that kind of recommendation in February, we will then go on to the contracting process. So, the investment funding decisions will be announced in March 2025 and this is when we'll start our contracting. So, if you are successful in the project that you submit, you will receive a contract from us that ideally needs to be signed and returned to us within one month of receipt of that. And that's because successful work programmes begin kind of the 1st of June 2025. So, there is quite a tight turn around for the contracting process for this fund.
[Slide 13b: Information on payments appear on the right-hand side of the slide via animation. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
And then for all successful applicants, the payments are split into 3 distinct stages. So, on signing of the contract at the start of your work programme, you will receive 50% of the requested funding. Then at the midpoint of the project, you will need to submit a progress report to MBIE. Once that's been assessed and umm everything is on track and the report is approved, you’ll then receive the next 40% of your funding and then finally at completion, you will submit a final report and on approval of that report, you'll receive the final 10% of funding and then that will conclude the project.
Next slide. Thank you.
[Slide 14: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on accessing Pītau – two screenshots of the Pītau request for access form are displayed on the righthand slide of the slide. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
Yes, so as we’ve said, what are the the biggest changes this year for the VMCF is it is the first year that we will be, uh submitting applications in our new investment management system, Pītau. So, if you do need access to Pītau, please can you complete the request for access form that is located on the Pītau portal webpage and these, umm, completed forms can then be emailed to the to the IMS, umm, e-mail account at MBIE.
We do ask that you really apply for access early. As it takes us, everyone said it takes a little while to get through it and you don't want to come up across any IT hiccups as we go. And I wouldn't want anybody to not be able to submit as they've not been able to get into Pītau.
And as Willy-John mentioned, we had those changes in terminology. So instead of a super user, now for anybody who used IMS, we now have organisation administrator. So this is the person within your organisation who has the authority to create and submit your applications and also manage the access to Pītau for other individuals. You then have organisation members who can create and or work on an application of which they're given access to, but they will not be able to submit the application for assessment that will need to be done by your organisation administrator.
Next slide, please, Nicky.
[Slide 15: Next presentation slides appears displaying an enlarged screenshot of the Pītau landing page. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
Oh, so here's a screenshot of what our new system Pītau looks like. So as you will see, you will need a RealMe login to actually access Pītau, so again this is another reason we ask that you start early as, umm, RealMe can be frustrating and may test your patience at times, but please bear with it and we can kind of, yeah, work through and get you access, umm, to Pītau and it as it says in there, you can request access one of two ways.
If your organisation has applied with us in the past, then please contact your organisation administrator to grant them access and if you've not applied before then please go via the request for access form that will then go to IMS support.
Or next slide please, Nicky.
[Slide 16: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on helpful hints for Pītau. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
Cool, umm, yeah again, sorry, we're just hammering this point home. But yeah, please allow plenty of time to get into Pītau and kind of submit your application. Umm, additional support if you are a smaller organization, you know you can reach out if you're partnering with a larger Research organisation, for example, please reach out to them for support. If they have a research office, or feel free to get in touch with the IMS support team here at MBIE. You can do this one of two ways, you can either e-mail us or feel free to phone, umm, Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 4:30.
Next slide please.
[Slide 17: Next presentation slides appears displaying information on the assessment panel feedback from 2024. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
OK, so some of the feedback that the Panel gave from last year's applications, so they, you know noted that the quality of applications remains high and last year we did have a greater percentage of high scoring proposals, so competition remains high within this Fund. So, it is a very competitive Fund.
They were heartened to see an increase in Māori taking the lead in the projects. So what they mean by lead is being the I think the contracting organisation and doing that. So they like to see, you know, it was important to show how Māori will lead or be the focus of the project. You know, and clearly demonstrate how the capability and capacity of the Māori researchers will be enhanced.
Umm, they would like to see applicants clearly express how the work project, or the project team and the organisations involved have the mandate to conduct this work and kind of have suggested you can do that by describing who has the mandate and that scope.
They're also pleased to see a higher ratio of FTE allocation for Māori, iwi and hapū members in the project team, and they do encourage applicants to maintain this trend. Next slide please.
[Slide 18: Next presentation slides appears displaying continued feedback from the 2024 assessment panel. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
Umm, they did note that information about intellectual property management plans has been improved in most circumstances, so please continue to take IP into consideration. Particularly to ensure post contract benefits and better distribution of gains to the Māori organisations. I think there's still improvements to be made, they suggested regarding ethical and tikanga considerations need to be considered for some projects involving iwi and hapū.
And again, they also reiterated similar to us, please don't leave the preparation of your application to the last minute and this is for them to allow time to check for any obvious mistakes that they may come across and also to make sure that all relevant information is provided and that the application accurately represents the project that you would like to be funded. Next slide, please. Yep.
[Slide 19: Next presentation slides appears displaying MBIE’s advice. A picture of the presenter Emily Chapman is inlaid at the top right.]
And I guess finally some advice from MBIE is please read all the provided documentation so you'll find this on our website, we have the Call for Proposals, the Investment Plan, we have the Assessment and Scoring guidelines. These are the kind of the three key documents to read. In addition to that, you'll find the proposal template, a contract template and other supporting documents up on our website as well.
Clearly describe how your project is co-developed and co-designed and how you will disseminate the project's findings. Emphasise your new partnerships or how they will go beyond business as usual. And as we said before, please highlight the science outputs and outcomes of your project.
Ensure that your title accurately reflects the proposal aims, particularly the underpinning science, and if you do use acronyms within your work, please just make sure they are defined so both us and the assessment panel know what your acronyms stand for. Next slide please.
[Slide 20: Next presentation slides appears opening the webinar for questions | pātai, before disappearing to spotlight speakers.]
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Right, yeah, I think that is everything, so we will open, I guess the floor to questions that I have seen have been, umm, popping in.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
So, I'll just read out the the questions to try to read them in order here. So can the work form part of a Masters project and fund uni fees for that and the expenses section it says that it does fund student stipends, Emily.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Can the work form part of a Masters project and fund the uni fees for that?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
I think it can form part of it, we just will not fund like full time tertiary students, as long as it is not their full project and it is part of it, I believe it would be eligible for that as long as we can see they're not a full-time student working on this.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
A question from Manu and just Emily, just to confirm, so two-year projects can be for up to 250 K, umm, but is that only for Placement and not Connect projects?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
No. So both Placement and Connect can be, uh, up to $250,000, umm, for the the two year one. So yeah. The funding for both the Connect and Placement scheme, the amount of funding available, is the same for each scheme.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Umm, a question from Olivia. I'll give it to you, Emily as well. So where is the guidance on outcomes and science impact outcomes? And can you provide a link?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
So, I think when it comes to guidance on outcomes and science impact. Umm, so what we say for impact is that the fund seeks impact through programmes of work that explore ways in which scientific research and its development and application can benefit the individuals, umm, whānau, Māori communities and Māori organisations. So I think the best place there is probably to read the questions that come under the Impact assessment criteria and kind of look at those questions that the assessment panel will be considering and just think about how you could kind of incorporate your project outcomes and scientific impact into those, umm, kind of when you answer those questions.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Willy-John, did you want anything to add to that or?
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
I think Emily covered that really well. Yeah. Nothing to yeah, only except just there is just extra guidance on what scientific what science means that's provided now provided in the application form itself.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
I've got a question here from Christine umm and I thought I'd throw this to to Willy-John, first. Does research based in social services like counselling and social work. Does that fit well-being criteria generally or is there a risk of it being judged as purely hauora.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
I will see what Alan and Emily might say about this as well. This feels to me like it fits in the hauora, the health research area, what happens is that the VMCF fund is a pool of money, and part of that pool we cut off and give to the the health research area. So what we're really keen to do is to make sure that that the health area is well served served in the health by the, by the HRC, the Health Research Council. So that one does seem like it would be better in that area.
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Yeah, I would agree with with that as well Willy-John.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
Kai pai.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Emily, does this fund support tech innovation in the creative screen and art sectors?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Yeah, I guess not knowing quite what falls under the creative screening arts sectors. If that's kind of, if I interpret and I could be wrong, creative screen and art being. What would I think? Development of umm, video games and VR and different things like that. Then I think if it has kind of that Science, technology and innovation side to it, then yes, it would fall under kind of the the criteria for for the VMCF.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Alan, if you got something to add to that question.
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks]
Yes, I think Emily answered that one quite well, but it is a broad question and I think the the the test for any proposal is, umm, does it does it count, does it pass the criteria for excellence in scientific research. So, you obviously can have really good programmes in creating creative screen arts, which don't actually have a science component. Equally, you can have really good programmes that have science components that are in any number of sectors. So, the main test really is is that quality of the science component.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
The next question from Shannon Emily, sorry from Shannon and I'm going to direct this to Emily. Emily, can you provide a bit more guidance around FTE requirements for Connect and Placement scheme? This is there any recommendations around it for either of those schemes?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Unmute myself. I don't think there are any minimum requirements. I think the only one we do say is if it's below, I think is it nought point five over the two years. Then you need to provide an explanation why, but I would say that the panel do like to see that and kind of one of the assessment criteria is that it will be adequately resourced and and things to actually meet the the the deliverables of it. Umm, so again, I would definitely put in kind of what are realistic expectations of FTE that you would need to complete this project, umm, I would say. But no, it is not like a larger fund, for example like Endeavour, where we require 0.15 FTE for a person or a key researcher over the two years.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
This is a a question from Dean, so kia or, Dean Adam umm and Emily just, this is a bit of a hot topic. I think it's people just trying to understand sort of you know what do we mean by sort of full-time students, you know, tertiary at school and wanting to understand sort of you know what full time, just to be clear about whether full time students and not being part of the project, but then we can also put in the budget things around for the students stipends and yeah, so can you just probably provide a bit of guidance around what our expectations are for this fund around the students and and how they can represent that in a in the budget section?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Err, yes, I can try. Yeah, so any full-time student so if it's a master’s student who is purely working on this and this is their kind of full-time role. We wouldn't be looking to fund a full-time student or for example a PhD student or anything like that. Who is doing this work full time. Anything under full time is open to interpretation, I would say, but just no full-time students. Umm, and then what do we say the rest of the question? So, if it's independent of their course of study, employment a student may take. Yes, if it's not part of their studies, but they are still, I guess, a student and again not working full-time on this then that would be the acceptable and yeah.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Thank you, I have a a Pītau question here. Do we need to submit a new request for access form if we have previously had access to Pītau but for another kaupapa, but we're looking to apply for a different organisation this time round.
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
I believe if it's a different organisation that has not used Pītau before then you would require a new request for access form as I don't think that organisation will be set up in the system. And I hope that is correct, but yes, that is my understanding, all new organisations, umm, will need to request access.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
I'm seeing a lot of nodding heads in the room, and I guess the only thing to add is that if doubt just contact their 0800 number because they'll be able to advise what type of access or whether maybe your organisation has actually been already set up as well. So, if you're unsure, please just don't hesitate to to to reach out.
Question from Rhonda in the innovation age today 2 million dollars which is per year is nowhere near enough to future proof start-ups and MSE's. What are MBIE’s plans if any to increase this fund? Alan, I'm just gonna as a Fund manager I'll give this one to you.
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks.]
Yep, thanks for that question, Rhonda. To be honest, this comment could apply to any of MBIE’s funds at the moment. We're aware of cost pressures right across the the science and innovation sector. Umm, as you will appreciate, we're currently in quite a constrained fiscal environment. I think it's unlikely the VMCF fund will be increased in size in the near future.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
And can I then add this other questions as well, if our proposal doesn't feel mature enough for this round, is there a possibility of a 2026 round?
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks.]
Yes, there is a possibility of being funded in the 2026 round, so it would it's always better to put your best foot forward and present your application at the time where it's mature and ready to be assessed.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Thank you.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
I'm happy to add to those. Yeah, so, there's, umm, there's two things just to be aware of. The first thing is that MBIE doesn't choose what funds it runs the Ministers and and the Government, they tell us what they would like and then they give us money, and then we then we we do something with it. Which is mostly how work, what's entirely how the funds run. The second thing is that there is an element of review happening across the system at the moment, err, the Science System Advisory group, which is chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, is currently looking across the system and seeing how, umm, looking to the future really to see what the system should look like to be ready for the next 30 or so years. Err, for the time being, we don't know what the outcome of that review will be, but it means that that in the future, there might be a change in some of the some of our funds. Nevertheless, there will always be funds available, so there always be ideas that will will that the government will want to fund, so that that part part is good to keep in the mind as well.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Thank you, Emily. I'm going to direct this next one to you and which is around sort of partners, the partner organisations and how we can sort of identify those that are within the sort of how to identify that and include them in the budget in terms of costs. So can you just clarify are the partners are meant to be included as subcontractors or their costs relating to the project and how to include that in that in the budget section.
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks]
I think if you have any individuals from the partner organisation that are included in your project team table and have an FTE allocated to them then it's always best to kind of include that under the subcontracting because what the panel will be looking for is to understand how, umm, how they're being kind of resourced and to make sure that that funding is adequate for your partners or whoever will be helping conduct the work, so I will first look at kind of your project team table and see whether you have any individuals from your partner organisations in there. And then if so, have you included them as a subcontractor and how they kind of those costs will be paid for, umm, is probably the best way to kind of clarify kind of where the money is going towards kind of the partner organisations if that is how you will be doing it.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks]
Thank you. Emily, it sounds like the identity of the contracting organisation is considered in the decision. For example, if a large organise a large university and a small Māori owned organisation are partnering, umm, you know typically would suggest that that the large university would take the lead to manage the heavy administrative burden of the contract, umm, and avoiding placing that responsibility on the Māori organisation, however, is this approach not considered ideal?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Uhm, no, I would say that approach is still fine. I think what the assessment panel noted in last year’s one that there were just more of the Māori organisations taking the lead. I still think the panel assessed the proposal as a whole and again we'll see whether it can, you know if this is the the best way to do it, so they don't really look, you won't be kind of, umm, disadvantaged if you have the larger organisation taking the lead on that, as long as I think throughout your narrative, within your application, you can show how that capability within the smaller Māori organisation will be developed over that time and that they will be adequately resourced.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
And I guess a a slightly related question here from Katie. So will it influence the success rate of our proposal if the Māori organisation decides not to apply but the research organisation does? And then there's resources within the Māori organisation.
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
No, I don't think it will, umm, influence the success rate at all from, you know, if you look at our previously successful umm proposals that were funded, you will see it's a mix of both larger research organisations taking the lead and some smaller ones so it won't have kind of an influence on the success rate of your proposal.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Umm, I'm going to open this one up to, I guess to the the panel, the whole panel. So what guidance is there regarding the assessment panel's comments regarding mandate of project teams applying?
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
So, this sounds like it comes from the feedback from last year's panel assessment. What I would mostly say is that wherever for most panels, not even not even the VMCF panel alone but for others. Where there are partnership areas that the partnership is really is really evident and particularly in the resourcing. So, for instance, if you are partnering with an organisation and there is, that you, it looks like there's very little resource for that partnership then it looks like it looks to assessors as if the mandate doesn't really exist. Umm, and so there a lot of that is around right sizing. I think what they also will look for a lot across lots of our, umm, lot, lots of our panels is whether they're it's evident within the application itself how it’s written that there there has been an element that has been co-developed, so to speak. In other words, it uses, umm, the right language. That makes it seem that the project the application has, you know, hit the hand of both both partners in there, if that makes sense. So, umm, so yeah, they I think they look a lot for the the it's like the sniff test so to speak, yeah.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Kia ora and I've got Huhana and Joyce actually answered similar questions, Emily. So, I'm just gonna combine them. So, PhD student, PhD candidates are they regarded as full time tertiary students. And I guess question is, does this fund support PhD research?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Uh, I would say, considering VMCF is for a maximum of two years, and PhD research typically from my understanding in New Zealand is three 3 1/2 years. I wouldn't say VMCF is a good place for a for a PhD candidate. You know, for their full, to base their full-time research on would be my, umm, yeah, my view on that. And they probably would be considered a full-time tertiary student? Yeah, they they were working on it full time for their thesis.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Emily, what is the research organisation definition in this context?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Umm, so for us, a research organisation is defined as an organisation that has the internal capability to carry out the science, innovation and technology or any related activities to the proposal. Umm, Government departments as defined in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020 are not considered to be research organisations and are therefore not eligible. So yeah, so what we're looking for is, do you have the internal capability to carry out the research that you were suggesting.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
I'm going to give Emily a break here and direct one to to Willy-John. So, the involvement of iwi and hapū is explicit. What about Māori community organisations, urban Māori groups or schools, etcetera.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
Yes, those all count because the aspiration of the VMCF fund is to for the system and for Māori to understand how the tools of the SIT system can be used to towards Māori aspirations for Māori and for the whole of New Zealand. So, umm, iwi and hapū are one way of organising or umm, or partnering with Māori, but it doesn't have to be through those entities alone. It can be through, through other interest groups or community groups or businesses, even. Kia ora.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Emily, is there a way that we can submit images or graphics for the proposal? The application specifically says not to. Is there an option anywhere in the application, or at all?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Umm, for VMCF, we do ask that applicants don't submit any graphics within the proposal itself. So, unfortunately, at this stage no, but this, umm, but again, that's something we could consider in the future, but unfortunately, no, we don't accept graphics at this stage.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Ellen, will you partially fund an application, or do you have an all or nothing approach?
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks.]
Umm, that's a that's an interesting question, so essentially, we would be funding the application that is proposed to us, we would fully fund that. Umm, that that piece of work could be part of a larger programme of work, but the substantive content of the application would be what we would be intending to either fund or not fund in its entirety is that makes sense.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Emily, I have a question here around cash co-funding. Can you confirm that cash co-funding by applicants is valued but not formally required? Can fund 100% to the project costs. Do you advise a certain level?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
So, I can confirm that co-funding is not mandatory for this fund. Umm, if you do have co-funding from a partner organisation or other kind of organisations involved, you, please feel free to include it in your application. I don't think there is a a minimum requirement that we need for that. It is just based on what you feel is best for your proposal umm and yeah, I can't, you know, and then it everything that you put into your proposal will be considered by the assessment panel. But again that is the assessment panel's decision on how they they value that co-funding going into it. But no, not mandatory.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Not mandatory, ok. Willy-John a question here. If there is now a definition of science in the application form, is there also a definition for mātauranga Māori?
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
That's a big, hairy question. Yeah. Yeah, there is. No, there is no definition for mātauranga Māori, I think and I don't think we'll see one there in the Vision mātauranga policy, there's a description of mātauranga Māori. That's what we we take our guidance from. So, there is also this ongoing discussion about what is the role of the science and research system in investing in mātauranga Māori. Acknowledging that mātauranga Māori is much broader than the science system itself, and so a lot of mātauranga Māori exists in other, well, exists, outside of the government, for the for the the main thing. But where government invests or supports can be quite diverse. For instance, some are mātauranga Māori works really well in the education system, and not not in the science system. Others in the justice system, not in the science system. So, what we're mostly trying to get better and better at is understand what the lane of the this part of the government sector invest in so I think the definition of mātauranga Māori per se is is for Māori to own and what is better for for us to do is to describe the types of research that we can invest in.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
And I wonder if this question follows on from Trish. In terms of science outcomes, what is the mātauranga outcomes framework? Who assesses the quality of mātauranga outcomes in the panel? Willy-John might be one that you could answer.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
Yeah. Could you just repeat the question please.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
I'm sorry, from Trish. And so in terms of science outcomes, what is the Mātauranga outcomes framework? Who assesses the quality of Mātauranga outcomes in the panel?
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
We we ensure that the panel members that are selected have enough experience in mātauranga Māori that relate to research, science and and technology to to assess applications. So, umm, many of the, if you look at the applicants, sorry, the panel members are from year to year that that are there, they not only have the ability to assist the technology sides but also enough to understand the mātauranga aspects, whether they be related to taiao or have elements of reo those that reside in our experts rather than in a a framework per say.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Umm, Emily I’m going to direct these ones to you and they’re slightly sort of related, so if you've got 250K for two years that can only go to one organisation, can it only go to one organisation? Or can you divide it into different projects being selected and and then choosed to? Similar to can we apply for multiple projects under one organisation?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
So, if you're successful and awarded funding of 250,000 dollars, that will all go to the one contracted organisation, so it will only go to the one organisation. However, that doesn't stop you from submitting multiple applications under one organisation. So, you could submit, erm, as many applications as you would like under one contracting organisation. However, if you were contracted that one should just be for the funding of the awarded contract. It shouldn't be used on any other proposal or projects that you may have submitted.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Emily, this FTE thing is a bit confusing, for example, and let's have it in-kind support, you know, could range from zero to a lot. Do you recommend that we just put down a guesstimate?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Uh, so I guess this is related to co-funding for the in-kind co-funding. Umm, to be honest, I mean if you are, for any kind of FTE, please just put what you think is required and is reasonable for the project that you were submitting, is what I would recommend. Umm, I would just, yeah, put your, you know what? Yeah. What you think is reasonable to be able to complete the project in a timely manner as contracted.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Does MBIE look at quantum computer technology? Alan, seeing.
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks.]
Anything that falls into the science, innovation and technology portfolio is is eligible with the exclusions and the eligibility.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Emily, this question is from Manu, and would a collective of iwi with a long history of working together only just established as a legal entity, you know together be best to use one of the older entities as the applicant entity rather than the new one?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
If this is relating to the contracting organisation in your application. Again, it is up to the applicant as to who they think is best to put as the contracting organisation, you know MBIE we don't look at who they are. It all we look at is as long as we have one research organisation and one Māori organisation and then the internal cap, research capability after that, it is for the applicant to decide who they believe is the best placed to be the the holder of the contract.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Umm, Emily are there consultants who can be contracted to apply for this fund.
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Uhm.
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks.]
Do you want me to take that one Emily?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Yes, you can take that one Alan.
[Audio: Alan Coulson speaks.]
Umm, so we don't fund applications that are submitted by consultants because they need to be able to demonstrate internal research capability. But a consultant can support a research organisation or a Māori organization as a subcontractor and could be contracted on the FTE table. But you would need one of the two qualifying types of organisations to submit the application.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Fantastic, umm, this next one Emily. Yes. Tipene can be a small, intertwined community, especially where research is involved. Is there a guide as to how conflicts with panel members are determined?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Uh, yes, there is a guide and, umm, there is descriptions of what is either defined as either a direct or indirect conflict, so I'd recommend you read that information and then see where you think it best fits. But again, we're always more than happy for you to reach out to us and explain the situation, because we do realise, I guess the intertwinedness, as you said, of the community, so we will take that into consideration as well.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
And just confirming Emily travel costs are capped at 20%.
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Now this is testing me. I believe that is what it says, umm, ohh no, it should not exceed 25% of the budget, is what we have in our proposal.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
As part of the Connect scheme, Emily, can we create connections with organisations outside of New Zealand? So for example, if there's organisations within Canada who support indigenous innovations or initiatives.
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
I think for this one you really need to take into consideration the eligibility criteria as to kind of will the majority of the activities be undertaken in New Zealand, umm, for that one. And if not, I guess there would need to be, you would need to explain why for that eligibility section. There I would say for that one.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
Umm, benefits to hapū versus benefits to the wider iwi group or additional iwi is benefits only to a hapū seen negatively by assessors.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
I would say that the assessors are sort of, it doesn't matter really where the impact is in terms of is it the iwi level, hapū level, other community level just so long is the the impact is is well described.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
OK. Sorry, just I'll read this one out for our application, we're applying as an iwi, but the researcher is also a Māori research organisation. Does it have to be a non-Māori research organization like a University or something.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
No both organisations can be Māori, so long as one of them is a research organisation, is that right Emily?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Yeah, that's correct. You will just need to decide which one you feel is best placed under under each of those categories.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
And just confirming for Sidra’s question. So the research organization, umm, they could be the lead organisation and co-partner with the Māori organisation as a sub or it could be vice versa. Is that correct?
[Audio: Emily Chapman speaks.]
Yeah, yeah, either one, either the research organisation or the Māori organisation are able to take the lead as long as we have one of each as either the contracting or the partner organisation.
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
Yeah, can I just emphasise here that there's no trickery to this question of who is the, who is the contracting organisation? And do you get more points? I think it's really for from an MBIE point of view, it just matters that there there is a research organisation and a Māori organisation and someone to contract with and it's really nice if if the Māori organisation is the contracting organisation, but the main thing is that doesn't score any more points. That's just nice to see. That makes sense. What's better is if, it's, the more important thing is, does the, does the collaboration have all the skills it needs to operate the contract and the research somewhere in its in its partnership.
[Audio: Nicky Mildenhall speaks.]
So, I'm just mindful of a time and I know that there are some questions that we haven't sort of answered here in the webinar, uh, but we'll certainly reply back to you. We do have your details and and of course if there are any questions you can e-mail us directly through the VMCF mailbox as well. So, I'll just bring us back to our presentation. Let me just check that I'm sharing things correctly, perfect. Willy-John would you close us in our closing MBIE karakia.
[Slide 21: Presentation opens again displaying the text for the MBIE closing karakia. A picture of the presenter Willy-John Martin is inlaid at the top right.]
[Audio: Willy-John Martin speaks.]
Ā mihi atu kia tātoa katoa e tai mai tene korero tānga.
Ka hiki te tapu
Kia wātea ai te ara
Kia turuki ai te ao mārama
Hui ē, Tāiki ē
Thank you everybody, ka kitea.
Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga 2025 Proposal Template [DOCX 211KB]