Millions of research dollars are set to flow into Dunedin after the University of Otago was chosen to lead another national science challenge.
A source confirmed to the Otago Daily Times the university had been chosen to lead the Government's ''healthier lives'' national science challenge - which comes with $31.26 million of potential funding over 10 years.
The challenge is aimed at reducing the burden of ''major New Zealand health problems''.
Invitations have been sent out for the launch of the challenge at Otakou marae on Friday, December 4.
Innovation and Science Minister Steven Joyce is to attend. A spokeswoman for Mr Joyce said he would not comment before then.
Next week's announcement stands to be yet another boost for health sciences at Otago University after it was announced in March as the lead for the ''ageing well'' national health challenge - which came with $34.92 million potential funding over 10 years.
At the time, Mr Joyce said he had yet to be formally briefed on the decision over which institution would host the ''healthier lives'' challenge, ''but Otago is naturally central to all the health ones''.
Otago University deputy vice-chancellor research and enterprise Prof Richard Blaikie yesterday said it was not appropriate for him to comment on whether Otago had been picked.
This was because the final challenge contract had not been ''signed and sealed'', Prof Blaikie said.
