30 April 1996 Funding bids success pleases Lincoln Ventures

Successful new bids in dielectrics and odour research are two highlights from the recent Public Good Science Fund bidding round for Lincoln University's commercial research company, Lincoln Ventures Ltd.

The Lincoln Technology division of Lincoln Ventures Ltd increased its 1996-97 contracts by 15 percent and its 1997-98 contracts by 29 percent, compared with current levels.

The dielectrics research will ensure further development of Lincoln Ventures' patented Aquaflex technology, while the odour work will examine multi-phase emissions from manufacturing and processing industries.

Postharvest research gained an extra $17,000 per year and has funding guaranteed for four years up to June 2000. The Agrichemicals group maintained its current funding through to June 1998, while the aquaculture research programme secured an additional $37,000 per year to a total $100,000 per year to June 1998.

Lincoln Ventures also secured an additional $100,000 in subcontract work. Some of this new money is from a joint bid involving the Department of Natural Resources Engineering at Lincoln University and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences. Lincoln Ventures was the driving force behind the bid, even though it was not a main contractor.

The success of such Lincoln University/Lincoln Ventures collaboration is very pleasing, particularly given that the collaboration has resulted in substantial research income to the University, says the Chief Executive of Lincoln Ventures, Dr Peter John.

Beyond Lincoln Ventures, the University as a whole achieved funding from the latest round for four programmes totalling $770,000 and Research Committee chairperson, Professor Ian Cornforth, said it would also get PGSF funding through an increased number of sub-contracts with Crown research institutes.

The four projects to be funded through the latest round are –

• Improving meat quality and consumer acceptance of processed meat
• Wastes and nitrogen fertiliser effects on soil and water quality
• Molecular ecology of vegetable pathogens and biocontrol agents
• Planning for tourism development.

The Community Diary. Produced by The Community Relations Centre, Lincoln University, New Zealand.