27 May 2013 at 9:00 am
Contestable fund draws strong interest
The first funding round of Education New Zealand’s contestable fund attracted 79 applications requesting $3.215 million of funding.
Applications exceeded the funds available.
To date the Education New Zealand (ENZ) selection panel has approved matched funding of nearly $810,000 for 29 projects with a combined value, including the applicants’ contributions, of over $1.6 million.
“The quality and diversity of the applications was impressive,” said ENZ Business Development Manager Adele Bryant. “The applications provided a window on the innovative approaches and products many educational institutions and businesses are taking to pursue the education export opportunities they have identified.”
The fund sees ENZ matching funding for projects with the capacity and capability to increase the value of New Zealand’s international education industry, ultimately leading to benefits for the New Zealand economy.
The fund is designed to help New Zealand’s education providers achieve significant growth by making the most of international education opportunities.
Applications were received from all sectors with the largest number lodged by education technology companies. This interest follows hot on the heels of the first “EdTech for Export” Conference sponsored by ENZ, Grow Wellington and Learning Media Ltd in April. Some 45 percent of applicants targeted Asian markets.
A second funding round will be held in the third quarter of 2013 and will be advertised in e-news.
