International Mobility Fund (USA)

Funding for New Zealand researchers to travel to the USA or for USA researchers to travel to New Zealand to work on joint research projects.

New Zealand maintains a number of bilateral (New Zealand to one country) and multilateral (New Zealand to many countries) relationships with other countries and organisations. These occur at both the government and scientist level.

The International Mobility Fund (IMF), funding for which is provided by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, is a sub-programme of the International Relationship Fund. The programme facilitates bilateral research through the provision of funding for New Zealand researchers to travel overseas or overseas researchers to travel to New Zealand to work on joint research projects. Funding under this programme generally supports travel related costs. Direct research costs will not be supported. The programme will not support conference, seminar or workshop attendance, unless this is clearly linked with an existing substantial collaborative research or technology project, nor will activities where the principal activity is teaching or study be supported.

The IMF supports all new, emerging and existing international relationships, in particular the USA.

Objectives

The IMF objectives are to:

• develop international opportunities and utilise overseas advances in research, science and technology of economic benefit to New Zealand;
• promote international recognition of New Zealand as a centre for innovation;
• positively influence regional and international RS&T linked activities that advance New Zealand’s national interest; and
• increase the level of funding, scientific skills and technological capabilities that New Zealand is able to source from other countries.

Science Areas or Activities

The science areas or activities are those identified in the government STC agreements. See the International Relationship Fund page on the Ministry of Science and Innovation website.