National released its research, science and technology today, confirming it would scrap Labour's Fast Forward Fund and reduce research and development tax credits.

Labour pre-released the policy on September 9, saying it was leaked to them. But National maintains Labour found a batch of policies left in a public place.

National leader John Key said under a government led by him a research centre aimed at reducing farm-produced greenhouse gas emissions would be set up. It would be funded to the tune of $20 million a year.

"This centre will be a virtual centre -- a multi-institutional research network with scientists and researchers from Crown and private sector agencies working together on a commonly agreed work programme," Mr Key said.

The policy also included measures to streamline funding and application processes.

National would reduce the size of the R&D tax credit to 10 percent.

Savings of about $315 million in the next three years would be split between universities and Crown Research Institutes.

That would see an increase to the Performance Based Research Fund, Marsden Fund, and Health Research Council funding allocations and the creation of "a new secure" funding allocation system for CRIs.

Mr Key said this would allow CRIs to develop and maintain a nationally significant research capacity in their core areas of science, without having to constantly compete for funding.

National would consider continuing research initiatives already set up by the Fast Forward Fund, but it would be wound up.

"National will continue with the same quantum of new funding but we will spend it in a way that ensures better research outcomes."

Funding for primary sector and food research would be increased by $25 million a year and the research consortia in the primary and food sectors would get the same boost.