Technology Transfer Voucher Programme

The purpose of the programme is to strengthen the linkages between businesses and publicly funded research organisations.

The programme will initially be targeted at supporting R&D in businesses in the high value manufacturing and services sector.

What is the background to the Voucher programme?

Vouchers will provide a business with 50 per cent funding to enable access to research services and expertise from accredited publicly funded research organisations for a specific R&D project. Voucher values may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1 million.

It is expected that most Vouchers issued will be in the $100,000 to $200,000 range — with matched co-funding required from businesses. So, for example, if a business receives a Voucher worth $200,000 then its contribution is also $200,000, making $400,000 available for purchase of R&D from a research organisation.

What is the objective of the Voucher programme?

The objective of the Voucher programme is to increase the transfer of technology and knowledge between research organisations and businesses.

Vouchers will only be awarded to businesses with limited in-house R&D capability, and with well defined problems or ideas that will benefit from the R&D expertise and services in a research organisation.

Why focus on the high value manufacturing and services sector?

The first phase of the Voucher programme will be targeted at R&D for businesses in the high value manufacturing and services sector, and research organisations that have experience and expertise in providing R&D services in the sector.

This sector has been chosen to reflect government priorities for economic growth and publicly funded science and R&D investments. The first phase will be limited to the following priority areas within the high value manufacturing and services sector. These are as defined in the Ministerial Notice for High Value Manufacturing and Services research with the exception of Agri-technologies, which has been specifically excluded as this area already has technology transfer mechanisms in place e.g. Primary Growth Partnership and Sustainable Farming Fund.  The priority areas are:

• Novel materials, manufacturing and applications
  Encompasses research including new products and services created by transforming materials and/or automating production, and improved efficiencies in production from new engineering tools or processes.
• Health and medical technologies
  Encompasses research including new and emerging technologies that impact on human health and wellbeing. This includes diagnostic and imaging devices, health IT, drug discovery and delivery systems, and assistive and rehabilitative devices. Health services research is not included.
• Information, communication and digital technologies
  Encompasses productivity improvement tools, data management tools, communications technologies and digital tools for creativity.

How can companies apply?

Companies need to register for the programme on the Technology Transfer Voucher website. For more information about the programme details, go to:  http://www.technzvoucher.co.nz.

More Information

To get more information about how IRL can help businesses secure a Technology Transfer Voucher, please contact the Industry Engagement team.

For more information about the programme details, go to the Technology Transfer Voucher Programme web site: http://www.technzvoucher.co.nz.