Mission Statement for the Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs)

Learn about the high level expectations of CoREs in terms of role, performance and achievements, as well as shared responsibilities of hosts and partners.

Government’s investment intention

It is the intention of the Government that investing in Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs) will support growth in research excellence and the development of world-class researchers in areas of existing excellence that are important to New Zealand’s future development.

Mission statement for CoREs

This mission statement sets out high level expectations of CoREs in terms of role, performance and achievements, as well as shared responsibilities of host and partners.

The mission statement will form the basis of selection criteria and ongoing performance monitoring of CoREs.

Research carried out by CoREs

CoRE research must be leading edge research of world-class quality in an area of importance to New Zealand. CoRE research demonstrates academic strength as well as planned and effective progress towards defined impacts with public good and/or economic benefits.

• CoRE research may be basic and/or applied. It is always pioneering, commonly multi-dimensional and/or multi-disciplinary, and likely to involve collaborative and inter-institutional participation and exchange.
• A CoRE will define its area of strategic impact, the need for this focus and the potential benefit for New Zealand. It will regularly revisit and refresh research planning to ensure its research innovative and solution-focused.
• A CoRE is innovative and responds quickly to opportunity. It allocates funding for excellent research that has next-stage potential impact and is aligned with its strategic direction.
• It is anticipated that, over time, the research and personnel profile of a CoRE will evolve within its area of strategic impact, reflecting the innovative and cutting edge nature of a CoRE’s research activities.
• A CoRE commits to equity and wellbeing outcomes, including encouraging and enabling diversity and inclusion in its research activities and/or its research staff.
• CoRE expertise can be directed to government science priorities, as appropriate.

CoREs as an element in the tertiary education system

A CoRE builds research capability in areas of existing excellence. It translates new knowledge into teaching and the training of future researchers. It offers specific and novel opportunities for graduate students, emerging and established investigators, across its partner institutions.

• A CoRE plans its contribution to the teaching and learning environment of its partner institutions. It is able to demonstrate its educational outcomes and its contribution to employment outcomes for graduates.
• A CoRE commits to equity and wellbeing outcomes, including encouraging and enabling diversity and inclusion in its teaching activities.
• A CoRE ensures key investigators have the opportunity to influence the experience of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows working with the CoRE.

CoRE collaboration and collaborative practices within CoREs

The CoRE model is a collaborative research partnership hosted by a TEI. It has appropriate governance and processes to ensure all partners contribute to delivery of agreed strategic outcomes.

• The host and partners share responsibility for the development and regular review of institutional partner agreements.
• Agreements recognise a combined responsibility for resourcing the CoRE as well as ensuring that research is of excellent quality and adds strategic benefit.
• Agreements set out host and partner contributions, which include financial and/or in-kind contributions.
• The CoRE host and partners together agree and implement collaborative policies and practices.

Engagement by CoREs with end-users and stakeholders

CoREs are characterised by active and outward-facing engagement with next-stage and potential end-users to ensure the CoRE delivers the strategic benefits it seeks for New Zealand.

• A CoRE will invite potential end-users to contribute to the planning of current and future research options, including consideration of potential for impact.
• A CoRE engages in research translation to support and encourage research uptake.
• CoRE outreach can take many forms and have many audiences. A CoRE will identify its outreach partners and explore with them the best ways to engage.
• A CoRE develops an engagement plan to bring focus to its dialogue with stakeholders, and its knowledge exchange activities and connections.

The role of CoREs at a national and international level

A CoRE demonstrates authority in its research area, both in New Zealand and overseas.

• A CoRE builds wide networks within national and international research communities and uses this connectivity to strengthen its research, people, engagement and influence.
• A CoRE deploys its leadership to facilitate wide stakeholder debate on issues of significance.
• A CoRE operates as a showcase for New Zealand.

Last reviewed: 19 October 2022 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback