Research cooperation links Europe and New Zealand
A country with unique biodiversity, a robust indigenous culture, advanced environmental awareness and a high standard of living, New Zealand has a lot to offer to Europe. FRENZ, which stands for 'Facilitating research cooperation between Europe and New Zealand', is a platform that supports EU-NZ science and technology partnerships. Several initiatives have been designed to facilitate the integration of New Zealand's research community in the EU's Seventh Framework Programme Seven (FP7), allowing the exchange of best practices between both parties. FRENZ has already achieved many of its goals. It has developed and updated the FRENZ project website, complete with web-based tools and media. It also constructed the 'Research in New Zealand mobility portal'. Project activities also include publishing a booklet of key projects with New Zealand involvement, building a database of EU researchers in New Zealand and launching the FRENZ helpdesk. The FRENZ database now contains a unique dataset of approximately 900 New Zealand-based European researchers who currently represent an untapped resource for Europe and New Zealand to tap into, facilitating collaboration under FP7. Several surveys have also been conducted, such as one to analyse the barriers to cooperation and mobility. The most important barrier for New Zealanders seems to be the need to be keeping informed of opportunities and developments within Europe. In this respect, the FRENZ database, website and web-based tools are invaluable. Another survey was undertaken to identify New Zealand participation in Europe's framework programmes (a report on the latter has already been issued). FRENZ, after all, has seen a substantial increase in New Zealand researchers' interest and involvement from FP6 to FP7. Institutional visits and training events are on-going, as too active engagement with New Zealand funding agencies. Overall, feedback concerning FRENZ visits and training sessions has been positive. All of the FRENZ initiatives are leading to a palpable increase in EU-NZ collaboration, building mutual understanding of research systems in Europe and New Zealand. For the EU, such partnerships are invaluable for furthering research and building bridges around the world.
