ECS researchers awarded in 2015 Marsden Fund grant scheme

Victoria University's School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is excited to announce that two academic staff and top researchers have been awarded funding for research projects in the prestigious Marsden Fund grant scheme for 2015.

The fiercely-contested Marsden Fund supports excellence in science, engineering, maths, social sciences and the humanities in New Zealand by providing grants for investigator-initiated research. It is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of the Government.

A total of $53.5 million in Marsden funding was awarded to New Zealand researchers this year. Victoria University received 13 grants, equal to more than $8 million in funding, cementing the University's reputation as a leading research institute.

ECS Professor Mengjie Zhang's successful project is entitled “Genetic Programming for Dynamic Flexible Job Shop Scheduling”. To support his research he has been awarded $550,000, distributed over three years, in the latest round of grants. The grants pay for salaries, student and post-doctoral scholarships, and research consumables.

Victoria’s Vice-Provost (Research) Professor Kate McGrath says the University is particularly proud of recipients who have received multiple Marsden funding over the years. This includes Professor Zhang, who is celebrating his fourth Marsden Fund grant.

“Marsden funding recognises excellence in leading-edge research. To receive multiple Marsden Fund grants is an outstanding achievement,” says Professor McGrath.

ECS's second Marden Fund grant for 2015 went to Senior Lecturer Dr Hui Ma. Her project, “Distributed Data-Intensive Service Composition”, was awarded a Fast-Start grant of $300,000. Fast-Start awards are designed to create research momentum for early-career researchers. Dr Ma was one of a number of women recognised as Principal Investigators of successful proposals, a number which rose from 39% last year to 44% this year.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce describes the advantages of supporting top-level research within New Zealand.

“The Marsden Fund invests in investigator-led research that seeks to generate new knowledge with long-term benefits for New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says.

“The Government recognises that funding for such research can generate substantial returns to society over time. The Fund continues to play an integral role in a high-performing science system focusing on excellence and impact, promoting New Zealand as a destination for top scientists and R&D investment.”