The Grant Process

Current Guidelines for Projects

  • The trustees will look more favourably on projects with a wide public benefit.
  • Single grants will be made, rather than long term funding, and grants are usually disbursed by progress payments.
  • Scientific findings must be published in a reputable scientific journal wherever appropriate and preferably in a way accessible to the public . In each case, there should be a clear acknowledgment of the support of the Brian Mason Scientific & Technical Trust.
  • Project goals can include demonstration of technical principles, and the adaptation of scientific research to use in society, scientific research, development work, collation, storage of information, publication and demonstration.
  • All grantees will be required to report to the trust, both on progress and on completion of expenditure of the grant.
  • Variations to the project must be notified to the Trustees for approval
  • Abandonment of the project will require unspent funds to be returned to the Trust
  • The trustees require at least part of the funds are required, and thus uplifted, within twelve months of the date of the offer for the grant to remain valid. If there is a reason that the project will not commence within 12 months of the date of offer this must be notified to the Trustees for a decision to be made as to whether the offer of the grant will remain open.
  • The project should take place within the area depicted here. Some activities, such as data collection, may take place outside the area, as long as the project is focused on Canterbury and/or Westland.

map

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Examples

Some examples are provided below of projects which the Trust has funded. These are not exhaustive. It is hoped that the range of applications for grants will demonstrate the diversity of research, development, education and preservation in science and technology within Canterbury and Westland.

  • Investigation, analysis and presentation of scientific questions, eg:
    • Investigation of ‘signatures’ of New Zealand Greenstone
    • NZ green-lipped mussels as indicators of coastal metal contamination
    • Understanding kea communication
    • Pollination of native carnivorous plants
    • Locating possums with infra-red sensing
  • Construction, purchase or restoration of technology which demonstrates a scientific principle, eg:
    • Single Cylinder Engine
    • Starlab Projector
    • Weka Pass Railway
  • Public education, eg:
    • The Bugmobile – pollinator education
    • Biography of James Hector, geologist, naturalist and surgeon
    • Sports Alive – sports science exhibition