Funding/policy year
The funding and policy year is marked by two distinct phases - advice and decisions.
Funding and policy advice is prepared by officials from the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. This is based on the Ministry's own policy analysis and the views and evidence provided by the research purchasing agencies, science providers and end user groups.
The two main activities in the advice phase are:
1. Progress and Achievement Reports:
Progress and Achievement Reports are provided to the Minister annually in order to:
- provide advice on policy implications and investment priorities for future needs within each output expense and each output.
- demonstrate whether the investments are meeting their objectives and whether or not they represent value for money.
2. Budget advice - provided to the Minister in December.
Ministers develop an overall strategy for the Budget each year - which culminates in the annual Budget Policy Statement issued by the Minister of Finance in November/December. This statement covers the Government's short-term and long-term fiscal intentions and priorities for the coming Budget.
Each year, MoRST provides the Minister of RS&T with advice on priorities for the upcoming budget. This report is informed by the Budget Policy Statement, policy work undertaken throughout the year and investment priorities suggested by funding and investment agents in their Progress and Achievements Reports.
Increases in funding are sought to either expand existing funds and schemes or to establish new funds or schemes.
The following links provide more information about the Government Budget (on the Treasury website):
The funding and policy decisions are made by Cabinet Committee in conjunction with the Minister of Research, Science and Technology.
The main activities in the decisions phase are: