Businesses seeking to use the government’s new technology transfer vouchers have an initial list of six research institutions to choose from, Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

The four-year $20 million voucher scheme, announced in May, will allow businesses to access research services and expertise for a specific R&D project.

The scheme will be administered by the Foundation for Science, Technology and Research and run on the basis of a 50% subsidy for research from government.

Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) are going to be worked over by a high-powered taskforce to find out whether they are meeting national priorities and the needs of research users.

Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp said yesterday the taskforce would examine the purpose, governance and funding of CRIs.

"CRIs must play a central role in lifting New Zealand's economic performance," he said.

"The CRIs were established in 1992. It is now time to revisit their purpose and operation."