The University of Otago is in a strong position to get a slice of the extra $70 million the Government has put towards what it sees as New Zealand's most important science challenges, deputy vice-chancellor, research and enterprise, Prof Richard Blaikie says.
The extra $73.5 million the Government put towards its National Science Challenges - to which it had already allocated $60 million - more than doubled its funding for 10 new major research projects.
The $133.5 million in funding will be used for 10 projects aimed at tackling a broad range of science-based issues, including health care, food nutrition, protecting and managing biodiversity, climate change and preparing for natural disasters.
Prime Minister John Key, announcing the additional funding at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Wednesday, said the programme was important for the future of the country's economy.
''Science makes our lives better and science makes us richer as a country,'' Mr Key said.
The additional $73.5 million would fund the projects as they begin over the next four years and the funding would be new spending as part of this year's budget, Mr Key said. The original $60 million in funding was from last year's Budget.
Prof Blaikie said the additional funding was ''great to see'' and Otago University was ''up to the challenge'' set by the Government.
''We can identify areas where we already have leading research activities ...
and where we're in a strong position to make contributions,'' he said.
Genetics Otago director Associate Prof Peter Dearden said the extra funding was a ''great boost to New Zealand science and a sensible refocusing of science effort''.
''I am excited about the challenges and what they will mean for New Zealand science and look forward to contributing,'' Prof Dearden said.
The three health challenges would help collaboration in health research and improve New Zealander's quality of life.
''I am also very pleased to see that primary production with an environmental focus is a key challenge, as well as the protection of our heritage, especially our unique biology,'' he said.
Additional reporting from APNZ.
