There's strong opposition from the science community to the new Government approach to research funding. 

The Science, Innovation and Technology Minister is refocusing the Marsden Fund on core science projects, disbanding its humanities and social sciences panels.

Minister Judith Collins says it's to prioritise research of economic, environmental, or a health benefit to New Zealand. 

 MacDiarmid Institute co-director Nicola Gaston says it entirely defeats the Marsden Fund's purpose.

"It is equitable because it is not granted with the intention that there should be specific impacts - it's about creating knowledge."

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