Health Research Council of New Zealand Research Proposal Guidelines (GA202)

Career Development Awards

Māori Health Research Masters Scholarships

Māori Health Research PhD Scholarships

Māori Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowships

Research Development Awards

Māori Health Research Summer Studentships

Māori Health Research RangahauHauora Training Grants

Māori Health Research Development Grants – not available in this current round

Māori Health Research Knowledge Translation Grants - not available in this current round

Table of Contents

Part A:The HRC Career Development Awards Programme

1Māori Health Research Career Development Awards

1.1Master’s Scholarship

1.2PhD Scholarships

1.3Postdoctoral Fellowships

2.Other Māori Research Development Awards

2.1Summer Studentship Awards

2.2Rangahau Hauora Training Awards

2.3Development Grants

2.4Knowledge Translation Grants

Part B:Rules for Submitting the HRC-CDA Application Form

1.Preparation

1.1Prior to Submission

1.2Information to Read

2.Format

2.1General Formatting

2.2Compliance

2.3Additional Documents

2.4No Faxed Copies

3.Copies of Applications Required

3.1Paper Application

3.2Electronic Application

3.3Do Not Send Files

3.4Returned Applications

4.Appended Documents

4.1Academic Record

4.2Letters

4.3Important Publications

4.4Course Information

5.Closing Dates and Time

5.1Where to get Due Dates

5.2Exceptions

5.3Prior Arrangements

6.Privacy Provisions

6.1Statistical Purposes

6.2Peer Review

6.3Media Release

6.4Official Information Act

7.Mailing Address

8.Enquiries

9.Application Assessment Process

9.1Criteria for Assessment of Award Applications

9.1.1 Masters, PhD and Postdoctoral Awards

9.1.2 Summer Studentship Awards

9.1.3Rangahau Hauora Training Awards

9.1.4Development Grants

9.1.5Knowledge Translation Grants

9.2Emphasis on Candidate

9.3Host Support

9.4Notification and Feedback to Applicants

9.5Reporting

Part C: Guidelines for Completion of the HRC-CDA Application Form

1.Use of Electronic Forms

2.MODULE 1: Applicant (web-based form)

2.1Section 1A: General Information

2.2Section 1B: Personal Information

2.3Section 1C: Career Plans

2.4Section 1D: Academic Support

2.5Section 1E Academic Transcript

2.6Section 1F: NZ Standard CV - Applicant

3.MODULE 2: Research Information

4.MODULE 3: References

5.MODULE 4: Contract Information

5.1Section 4A-4B

5.2Section 4C – Contract Information and (salary statement postdoctoral fellowships only).

5.3Section 4D – Previous/Current Contracts and Awards

5.4Section 4E – Other Support

5.5Section 4F – Letters of Collaboration/Supporting Documents List

6.MODULE 5: NZ Standard CV – Supervisor(s)

7.MODULE 6: Administration

7.1Section 6A – Ethical and Regulatory Agreement

7.2Section 6B - Administrative Agreement

Part D:Explanatory Notes for HRC Career Development Awards

1.Māori Health Masters Scholarship (MHMA)

1.1Description

1.2Value

1.3Eligibility

1.4Conditions of Tenure

1.5Application Review Process

1.6Application Assessment Criteria

1.7Reporting

1.8Publications

1.9Suspension

1.10Intellectual Property Rights and Commercial Considerations

1.11Application and Forms

1.12Format

2.Māori Health PhD Scholarship (MHPhD)

2.1Description

2.2Value

2.2Eligibility

2.3Conditions of Tenure

2.4Application Review Process

2.5Application Assessment Criteria

2.6Reporting

2.7Publications

2.8Suspension

2.9Intellectual Property Rights and Commercial Considerations

2.10Application and Forms

2.11Format

3.Māori Health Postdoctoral Fellowship (MHPDOC)

3.1Description

3.1.1Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie Fellowship

3.1.2Eru Pomare Fellowship

3.1.3Hohua Tutengaehe Fellowship

3.1.4Irihapeti Ramsden Fellowship

3.1.5The Preventing and Minimising Harm Postdoctoral Fellowship

3.2Value

3.3Eligibility

3.4Conditions of Tenure

3.5Application Review Process

3.6Application Assessment Criteria

3.7Reporting

3.8Publications

3.9Suspension

3.10Intellectual Property Rights and Commercial Considerations

3.11Application and Forms

3.12Format

4.Māori Health Research Summer Studentship Award

4.1Description

4.2Application and Forms

4.3Format

4.4Application Assessment Criteria

4.5Reporting

5.Māori Health Research Training Award

5.1Description

5.2 Value

5.3Eligibility

5.4Conditions of Tenure

5.5Application Review Process

5.6Application Assessment Criteria

5.7Reporting

5.8Application and Forms

5.9Format

6.Māori Health Research Development Grant

6.1Description

6.2Value

6.3Tenure

6.4Eligibility

6.5Application Assessment Criteria

6.6Reporting

6.7Application and Forms

6.8Format

7.Ngā Pou Ātea - Knowledge Translation Grant

7.1Description of knowledge translation grants

7.2Ngā Pou Ātea Grants are not available for;

7.3Value

7.4Tenure

7.5Eligibility

7.6Application Assessment Criteria

7.7Submission of final copies

7.8Application and Forms

7.9Format

7.10Māori Health Research Knowledge Translation Grant

7.10.1Final Report Submission Form

Version Information

Part A:The HRC Career Development Awards Programme

The HRC Career Development Awards programme supports research training by providing a range of postgraduate and postdoctoral awards to individuals. The programme also provides several prestigious Fellowships for advanced career support. These Guidelines are for the General and Advanced Fellowships listed below. Māori and Pacific awards are fully described elsewhere.

1MāoriHealthResearch Career Development Awards

Details for these awards are not detailed in these Guidelines, but can be found on the HRC website.

1.1Master’sScholarship

The Scholarship provides up to $10,000 towards one year of personal support plus fees and a $1,600 tikanga allowance, but no working expenses, for students completing the research component of a Master’s degree.

1.2PhD Scholarships

The Scholarship provides three years of personal support of up to $25,000 per annum, plus fees, up to $10,000 in total research working expenses and a tikanga allowance, for outstanding graduate students in any discipline whose proposed research programme is relevant to health.

1.3Postdoctoral Fellowships

Māori Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowships are available to applicants from all disciplines undertaking a research programme, which will contribute to health outcomes for Māori. The Fellowships are to the value of $100,000 for research associated costs plus a salary, which is negotiated through the host institution for up to four years. A conference allowance of $3,000 and $5,000 tikanga allowance can also be claimed.

There are four Māori Postdoctoral Fellowship award types, each focusing on a different area of Māori health research:ErihapetiRehu-Murchie, EruPomare, HohuaTutengaehe and IrihapetiRamsden. Applicants can apply for a Māori Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship if their research is in a different area from the four areas outlined, however the proposed research must link to health and demonstrate good health outcomes for Māori.

2.Other Māori Research Development Awards

There are other awards available in these categories, for health research and/or workforce support including Māori and Pacific Summer Studentshipsfor undergraduates, Development Grants and theRangahauHauora Award. Details for these awards are published on the HRC website.

2.1Summer Studentship Awards

This Award provides $5,000 to introduce research to those students who have the potential to develop in a career that may involve Māori health research. Applications are now sought from students undertaking health related courses wishing to be involved in a Māori health research project over the summer vacation.

2.2RangahauHauora Training Awards

RangahauHauora Awards are intended to provide personal support to individuals seeking to undertake a period of research training relevant to Māori health. This award is particularly suited to individuals who do not have an academic background but wish to learn a limited set of research skills relevant to a particular research project. This set of skills would enable them to be involved in an intended piece of research in their own area. Up to $12,000 is available.

2.3Development Grants – not offered in this current round

Up to $10,000 is available to support Māori health researchers in developing a project proposal for the Funding Round via one of four Research Investment Streams; RangahauHauora Māori, Health and Wellbeing in New Zealand, Improving Outcomes for Acute and Chronic Conditions in New Zealand, and New Zealand Health Delivery.

2.4Knowledge Translation Grants – not offered in this current round

Knowledge translation grants are available for dissemination of research which key stakeholders (e.g. iwi, community, health providers, Ministry of Health, Te PuniKokiri) have identified as important for future use including policy and health service development. The HRC recognises the importance of dissemination and the various forms it can take on dependent on the target audience. A grant of up to $5,000 is available.

Part B:Rules for Submitting the HRC-CDA Application Form

1.Preparation

1.1Prior to Submission

The HRC only receives applications online (the HRC Gateway) ( to any submission using the HRC-CDAform applicants must have a Gateway account. Applicantsmust begin their application on the Gateway to receive an application reference number (HRC Ref ID #) for use on the application form. Key opening and due dates are announced on the HRC website ( the HRC Gateway, Twitter and HRC Update.

1.2Information to Read

Before submitting an application, applicants should:

Decide on their eligibility by reading these Guidelines.
Read the Health Research Council Policies and Rules for Research Contracts.
Refer to Guidelines on Ethics in Health Research.
Read Te AraTika and Guidelines for Researchers on Health Research Involving Māori.
Familiarise themselves with how applications are assessed as described in the CDA Peer Review Manual.

Referenced documents are published on the HRC website. Host or institutional Research Office staff are able to answer most enquiries related to applications and applicants should approach them for assistance and advice.

2.Format

2.1General Formatting

Proposals must be written in a clear, concise manner with sufficient detail to enable the reviewers to understand the scope and implications of the proposal.

Applications must be in English or te reo Māori; if in te reo Māori a translation in English must also be provided (any translation will not be included in the page limit).

Use the original form as it contains special features.

Applicants must:

Use Arial type font no smaller than 10-point. (CV must be Arial 12-point type font*)
Use default margins
Use single line spacing
Not exceed any page limits.

*The CV is not an HRC document and has different formatting requirements.

2.2Compliance

The HRC will not process any application that does not comply with stated page limits or formatting rules.

2.3Additional Documents

Proposals must be fully self-supporting. Letters of commitment/supporting documents must arrive at the HRC by the due date for applications, and must show the HRCapplication reference number.Evidence of co-funding commitments,confirmed after the closing date,must be sent to the HRC when available.

2.4No Faxed Copies

The HRC will not accept faxed applications.

3.Copies of Applications Required

3.1Paper Application

Applications must be submitted initially on the HRC Gateway and printed copies sent to the HRC with supporting documentation such as letters of support.

The two complete printed applications must be single-sided and bull clipped, not paper clipped or stapled.

3.2Electronic Application

Upload the HRC-CDA file using the HRC Gateway.

Submit the form as a .pdf file created by using the pdf function in MSWord or other pdf generator. The conversion to pdf format prior to uploading allows applicants quicker access to the final compiled application, containing all Sections, so that satisfactory inspection of graphics can be completed.

Submit the HRC_CDAContractInfo.xlsx file. Use the HRC file as it contains special features used for HRC processes. Do not input anything in the coloured cells.

HRC Gateway will allocate file names.

Important

The application is submitted to the host Research Office when the applicant uploads the files through the HRC Gateway. Theapplication will be forwarded to the HRC after host approval. Always allow sufficient time near the closing date for these steps.

3.3Do Not Send Files

Do not send digital files directly to the HRC. Independent researchers and research providers requiring assistance should contact the HRC Project Manager for information if they have difficulty.

3.4Returned Applications

No part or parts of an application can be returned to the applicant.

4.Appended Documents

Scanned copies of documents should be inserted into the requested parts of the form as appropriate. If the scan is in pdf format, use the Snapshot facility in Adobe Reader to copy and paste into the form. Scans in an image format (eg, .jpg) can be directly copied and pasted into the form.

4.1Academic Record

A witnessed scanned version of your academic record and/or professional qualifications should be inserted in Section 1G as indicated in the form.

4.2Letters

Any letters of invitation or confirmation of a place should be sent with the printed applications.

4.3Important Publications

Up to two of your most important publications (two copies only) may be sent with the printed applications.

4.4Course Information

For scholarships, a course prospectus or appropriate pages describing the course (if relevant) should be sent with the printed applications.

5.Closing Dates and Time

5.1Where to get Due Dates

Please see the HRC website or Gateway for closing times and dates for all awards.Reminders will also be sent on Twitter. Allow time for your host institution to process the application before submission to the HRC.

5.2Exceptions

Permission to submit late applications must be sought and received in writing from the HRC Chief Executive at least one week prior to the closing date.

5.3Prior Arrangements

Unless prior arrangements have been made, as above, incomplete proposals will not be processed.

6.Privacy Provisions

6.1Statistical Purposes

The information requested in an application will be used for the purpose of assessing that application and, in a non-identifiable form, some information will be used for HRC statistical purposes. The HRC undertakes to store all applications in a secure place and to destroy declined applications after due process to preserve confidentiality, unless applications are required to be kept by the National Archives.

6.2Peer Review

Personal information contained in the application may be made available to external reviewers and members of the HRC Committees relevant to the review of the application. This includes electronic and paper copies of the application. The HRC may seek reports from reviewers, where appropriate, to assess the scientific merit, health importance and cultural appropriateness of the application.

6.3Media Release

In the event that an application is successful, the HRC reserves the right to release applicants' names, details of the host institution, contact details (work phone or email), contract title, lay summaries and funding awarded for public interest purposes and to meet the statutory requirements of the Health Research Council of New Zealand Act 1990.

6.4Official Information Act

Should the HRC receive requests for information in an application via the Official Information Act then we will consult with the host institution in handling the request. Where appropriate, or in certain circumstances the request may be transferred by the HRC to the host institution.

7.Mailing Address

The application should be sent to the Council’s office as shown below:

Mailing Address: / Physical/ Courier Address:
Attention: Māori Health Team
Health Research Council of New Zealand
P O Box 5541
Wellesley Street
AUCKLAND / Attention: Māori Health Team
Health Research Council of New Zealand
3rd Floor
110 Stanley Street (access via Grafton Mews)
AUCKLAND

The HRC Gateway will show the status of any proposal. Do not contact the HRC to check whether your proposal has arrived.

8.Enquiries

All enquiries related to HRC applications should be directed in the first instance to the Research Office of the applicants’ host institution.

Where the Research Office cannot assist, or for technical enquires relating to applications, contact the relevant project manager:

BiomedicalPh 09-303 5216
ClinicalPh 09-303 5216
Public HealthPh 09-303 5228
Pacific HealthPh 09-303-5225
Māori Health Ph 09-303-5207

9.Application Assessment Process

Applications are assessed by a multidisciplinary Career Development Assessing Committee (CDAC).Details are available in the CDA Peer Review Manual downloadable from the HRC website.

9.1Criteria for Assessment of Award Applications

This section summarises the scoring criteria that are applied by the CDAC. For each of the criteria, a 7-point scale is used with the descriptors listed in the table below. The criteria are weighted differently for each of the awards but generally place greater focus on the applicant than on other aspects of the application.

Score / Criteria Descriptor
7 / Exceptional
6 / Excellent
5 / Very good
4 / Good
3 / Adequate
2 / Unsatisfactory
1 / Poor