Applications are invited for activities that demonstrate benefits for New Zealand by collaborating with the best international partners in China to achieve excellence beyond what has already been achieved within New Zealand.

Successful projects are expected to start in the first half of 2017, with New Zealand project teams in the areas of Food Safety and Security and Water Research receiving up to $300,000 (excluding GST) over 36 months, to be administered by MBIE. China's Ministry of Science and Technology will provide funding to the Chinese researchers. Non-communicable diseases, will have a separate Call for Proposals issued and administered by New Zealand's Health Research Council.

The Catalyst Fund supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations building on international science and innovation for New Zealand's benefit.

Key dates for the Catalyst-funded New Zealand-China Strategic Research Alliance in the areas of Food Safety and Security and Water Research are:

• Applications portal opens: 8 August 2016
• Registration deadline: 22 August 2016
• Full proposal deadline: 22 September 2016
• Selection result announcement: 1 February 2017
• Contract commences: 1 May 2017

More information on the fund and application process, including the Call for Proposals document, is on the MBIE website at: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/science-innovation/investment-funding/current-funding/catalyst-fund.