The Infectious Disease Research Platform is intended to provide a substantial boost domestic research into infectious diseases – a timely subject area as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $36 million in funding over three years was announced by the Government this week and will kickstart a new programme of infectious disease research and capability building.
The research will focus on prevention, control and management of infectious diseases. The Ministry’s Chief Science Advisor, Prof Ian Town, says the funding will help bolster New Zealand’s science-based approach in dealing with infectious diseases.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will manage an investment process and invite proposals from October for the platform host.