MEDIA STATEMENT:

Ageing Well National Science Challenge
University of Otago
PO BOX 56, Dunedin
ageingwell@otago.ac.nz

Monday 19 November 2018

 

MBIE APPROVES $20.3M IN EARMARKED FUNDING FOR AGEING WELL TO CONTINUE RESEARCH TO JUNE 2024

Following the conclusion of the MBIE Mid-Way Review, Ageing Well is delighted and honoured to report that the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation has endorsed the release of $20.3M in funding for our next five years of research (July 2019-June 2024). In a media statement published on Saturday, Minister Dr Megan Woods said that all 11 Challenges are “delivering excellent, collaborative, research programmes” which are “fundamentally changing the culture of how science is being undertaken in New Zealand.” The positive outcome of the Mid-Way Review enables Ageing Well to continue at full steam with our next funding round, which is already well advanced (see below).

The Chair of Ageing Well, Dr Dianne McCarthy (CNZM, CRSNZ), noted that this decision validates the “world class, collaborative research that has been undertaken by the Challenge over the last five years.” Ageing Well commissioned 15 research projects in its first five years, which provided a breadth of studies on topics as diverse as supporting older Māori (kaumātua), using community-based exercise and nutrition to combat frailty, harnessing big data to predict falls risks, and using electrical stimulation to aid stroke recovery. Projects have produced many publications, informed policies at many levels of government, and even secured additional funding for future research.      

The second tranche of funding “empowers” Ageing Well to continue to make inroads into achieving our mission, said Challenge Director Prof. David Baxter. After extensive consultation, Ageing Well is focusing its future funding on two Focus Areas: Health and Wellbeing in Ageingand Ageing and Māori.  Currently, there is a call for Expressions of Interest for thematic research programmes that can address the research priorities of these Focus Areas. The Challenge is also holding a series of Roadshows around the country in late November and early December to answer questions about the funding round and its future strategic direction. (Full details can be found on our website.)

Ageing Well looks forward to another fruitful five years of groundbreaking research and stakeholder engagement, and we encourage all interested parties to follow our progress on our website, via our social media platforms, or in our newsletter.

AWNSC_Media_Release_Mid-Way-Review_Outcome [PDF]


Further Information          

Media enquiries about the Review process can be directed to Beck Kraakman of MBIE:

Rebecca.Kraakman2@mbie.govt.nz (021 823 048).