Unlocking Curious Minds Fund is now open to support innovative, quality projects which provide more New Zealanders with opportunities to learn about and engage with science and technology.
The fund supports the entire strategic plan to encourage and support all New Zealanders to engage with science and technology.
Unlocking Curious Minds supports projects that enhance or broaden the connection and engagement of ‘hard to reach’ New Zealanders by:
- supporting education and community outreach initiatives that focus on science and technology
- broadening participants’ ability to engage with science and technology
- promoting the relevance of science and technology in their lives
- encouraging engagement in societal debate about science and technology issues facing the country.
Funding Information
- For the Fund’s 2020 investment round, approximately $2.0 million (excluding GST) is available through 2 grants to fund successful proposals.
- Local grants: Local/community projects that will take place in one New Zealand town or city can apply for up to $30,000. Applicants do not have to apply for the full amount available. An individual, or organisation which is a legal entity with an IRD number, can apply for a local grant.
- Regional/national grants: Up to $150,000 can be requested by organisations only for projects that will take place in one or more New Zealand regions. Applicants do not have to apply for the full amount available.
- Applicants for regional/national grants must provide a minimum of 20% of the total project costs as cash co-funding and/or in-kind support. MBIE will fund 80% of the total project costs to a maximum of $150,000.
Eligibility Criteria
The Unlocking Curious Minds Contestable Fund aims to encourage innovative, quality projects that enhance or broaden the connection and engagement of ‘harder-to-reach’ New Zealanders with science and technology. Hard to reach audiences include, but are not limited to, youth, Māori and Pasifika, and rural New Zealanders.
- Local grants
- For local grants the applicant can be an individual (New Zealand citizen or permanent resident) or an organisation that is a legal entity with an IRD number.*
- Regional/national grants
- Only an organisation that is a legal entity* with an IRD number can apply for regional/national grants. Individuals cannot apply for regional/national grants.
- Regional/national projects must either involve collaboration with other organisations or leverage existing engagement programmes or resources (government or non-government). This could include, for example, partnerships with organisations that have a strong connection with the target group, expertise in science content and/or communication, event management etc.
- Legal entities may include incorporated societies, registered charities and registered companies [and trusts]. Where relevant, applicants will be asked to provide their Charities Commission number, New Zealand Business Number or Incorporated Society Number.
- Applications from Trusts will need to provide us with an electronic copy of their Trust Deed/Rules document when submitting their proposal.
- Government departments (as defined in Schedule 1 of the State Sector Act 1988), Centres of Research Excellence (funded through the Tertiary Education Commission), and National Science Challenge research collaborations are not eligible to apply for funding.
* Some examples of organisations include community groups, Māori collectives/organisations, businesses, research providers, zoos, museums and science centres.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via given website.
Eligible Country: New Zealand
For more information, please visit https://www.curiousminds.nz/funding/unlocking-curious-minds/