Glaciers, neurobiology, Maori TV and algebra are just a few of the subjects to explored by the recipients of this year’s round of grants from the Marsden Fund – New Zealand’s largest ‘blue skies’ research funding body.
Announced today, a total of 88 research projects have been allocated $53.8 million of funding in this year’s Marsden Fund grants.
The Marsden fund, administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of the government, is the hallmark of excellence in research.
As described on the Royal Society website:
“Marsden Fund research benefits society as a whole by contributing to the development of researchers with knowledge, skills and ideas. The research is not subject to government’s socio-economic priorities, but is investigator initiated. The Fund supports research excellence in science, engineering and maths, social sciences and the humanities.”
Marsden Fund Council chairman Professor Peter Hunter said he is proud to be part of the Marsden Fund system and is continually impressed at the quality of the applicants and the proposals.
“The Marsden Fund supports leading-edge research, which creates economic growth and increases our understanding of issues, from medical advancements to social change and development.
“Most breakthroughs around the world come from this basic science end of the research spectrum, which is what makes the Marsden Fund both exciting to be part of and vital for New Zealand to invest in.”
The full list of Marsden Fund recipients and their projects is available here, and selected highlights can be seen here.
Many of the new Marsden funded projects have received media attention – examples include:
Dominion Post: How much is Wellington’s Weta worth?
Manawatu Standard: Boost for algae-phosphorus study
TV3 News: Heart health, glaciers get NZ science funding
Radio NZ: Researchers win grant to study Maori Television
Otago Daily Times: Geologist hails $915,000 grant
TV3 News: Researcher hopes to solve the Moriori mystery
Radio NZ: Marsden Fund awards $54m to research projects
New Zealand Herald: $53.8m in science funding announced
TV3 News: New Zealand glaciers will be gone in 100 years – Scientist
Dominion Post: Moriori, planet projects funded
Otago Daily Times: $985,000 to study new nerve cells in memory
The Press: Moriori settlement study receives funding