Lincoln University research teams are set to lead the way on smart seeds, tourism policy and controlling nitrate pollution thanks to new funding of $13.2 million announced today by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
"Financial support of this scale delivers a real ‘go forward’ element to these projects and the teams and collaborators involved,” says Lincoln University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Field.
“The areas funded demonstrate once again the strong ‘Lincoln University factor’ as it relates to crucial contributions to the economy and to the environment. The ‘Lincoln University factor’ was seen last month too in the Government’s decision to renew and increase funding for the campus-based Centre of Research Excellence.
“Such continued funding clearly shows confidence in the distinctive, applied and nationally relevant nature of Lincoln University’s research and the industry partnerships we pursue.”
Through the latest round of contracts the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology is investing in the following scientific research at Lincoln University:
Professors Alison Stewart and John Hampton will lead a research team, with AgResearch and Crop and Food Research, on smart seeds for export (funded for $5.175 million over six years). Other investors in this project are the Foundation for Arable Research, PGG Wrightson Seeds Ltd and South Pacific Seeds (NZ) Ltd.
Professors Keith Cameron and Hong Di will lead research on nitrogen management in dairy pasture soils for environmental integrity ($5.462 million over six years) in partnership with AgResearch, Dexcel and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Associate Professor Susanne Becken will work with Covec Limited, Landcare Research and the Ministry of Tourism to identify high yielding adaptation measures in response to rising oil prices ($962,500 over three years).
ProfessorDavid Simmons will work with the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Tourism to develop a new sector model to increase yield per visitor ($1.500 million over four years).
"This investment by Government, and our well established partnerships with Crown Research Institutes and industry, will contribute to both economic growth and improved environmental management across several sectors," says Professor Field, "and we congratulate our leading scientists on their initiative and dedication."
Today’s four FoRST contracts for Lincoln join two others for the University announced earlier in the year - $1.159 million over 28 months for the development of "smart bait" technologies for pest control and $2 million over five years for a social research project investigating education - employment linkages. Lincoln University will also receive an additional $3 million of FoRST investment from a sub-contract with a CRI in the area of bio-protection.
The total value of new research contracts secured from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology in 2007 is $19.3.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Elizabeth Owens
Marketing & Communications Manager
Lincoln University
Phone 64 3 325 2811 extn 8655