Strict Rules to Avoid Conflicts of Interest

Marsden Fund Adheres to Strict Rules to Avoid Conflicts of Interest

The Marsden Fund Council takes the strongest possible exception to the recent media inference that its advisers have behaved improperly. The decision on its 2007 funding allocations was unanimous. Due process was observed at all stages. Where they arose, conflicts of interest were declared, recognised, recorded and either managed or avoided altogether. Detailed and scrupulous procedures were used to guard against any possible bias by the 70 panellists.

The process of dealing with applications from panel members has been dealt with scrupulously since the Marsden Fund was initiated. Panel members are completely blind to the status of their application during the process. Not only do they leave the meeting when their application is being discussed, but the grades and rankings that other panel members have assigned to them are not revealed at any time. They learn of the success or failure of their application in the same way as all other applicants - via correspondence from the Marsden Fund administration after the panel recommendations have been approved by the Council.

Allegations of corruption which have been made against innocent recipients of funding are outrageous and completely unfounded.

From the Marsden Fund Council:

Professor Peter Bergquist
Associate Professor Richard Blaikie
Dr Garth Carnaby
Professor Sally Casswell
Professor Charles Daugherty
Professor Harlene Hayne
Professor Peter Hunter
Dr Rupert Sutherland
Associate Professor Lydia Wevers
Professor Christine Winterbourn

ENDS

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