Opportunities for HRC Funding 2015 Investment Processes

HRC Overview

Mission: Benefiting NZ through health research Established as a Crown Entity by the Health Research Council Act (1990) Responsible to Minister of Health Funding mainly from Vote Science & Innovation through MBIE

HRC Secretariat Dr Robin Olds, Chief Executive Rachel Brown, Group Manager, Māori Health Research Dr Vernon Choy, Group Manager, Investment Processes Melanie Duncan, Group Administrator, Investment Processes Dr Deming Gong, Project Manager, Public Health Research Stacey Pene, Project Manager, Biomedical/Clinical Research Dr Tania Pocock, Group Manager, Research Policy, Strategy & Evaluation Dr Nuhisifa Seve-Williams, Project Manager, Pacific Health Research Vivien Lovell, Group Manager, Business Systems Finance & Corporate Services, Ethics, Communications, Research Partnerships

Research Investment Streams Research Policy, Strategy & Evaluation Dr Tania Pocock

Research Investment Streams Health and Wellbeing in NZ Understanding health and preventing illness & injury Improving Outcomes in Acute & Chronic Conditions in NZ Rangahau Hauora Māori Building Māori knowledge & capability to address Māori health issues Research for NZ Health Delivery Immediate impact on health policy, clinical-decision-making &/or service delivery Applied Basic End-users involved

Investment Signals Purpose Scope (what’s in & what’s out) Goals Priorities (only HW and IOACC) Research characteristics (RNZHD) Examples Research areas in scope Research better aligned with other RIS FAQ

HRC & National Science Challenges Investment signals & general guidelines updated to include National Science Challenges (NSC) – HRC “encourages research that can contribute to a NSC, as well as research on other health priorities, provided it is in scope for one of our investment signals” HRC funding will complement the challenges – Research will not be excluded because not in NSC scope – Research will not be prioritised because in NSC scope – Applications assessed on own merits using existing HRC criteria Read general guidelines & investment signals for further detail

HRC & National Science Challenges HRC will ensure NSCs get maximum value from HRC-funded research – From 2015, successful applicants in scope for NSC will be encouraged to engage with NSC leads – HRC will monitor and report outcomes for HRC-funded research in scope for each NSC – HRC will identify opportunities for HRC-funded research to contribute to high-level outcomes sought by NSCs

Selection of RIS All applications – Apply to one RIS – Where research will have greatest impact on Goals and priorities Programmes – Can span RIS, but must state primary RIS – Not in HD HRC will not reallocate applications

2015 SACs may penalise proposals in wrong RIS – Max score of 1 for ‘Impact’ criterion if ‘out of scope’ Read Investment Signals Avoid Falling into Wrong RIS

2015 Budget and Contract Types

2015 Funding Round Budget Contract Type$M # Programme306 Project4645 Emerging Researcher First Grant 214 Feasibility Study Explorer Grant 0.64

Programme Objectives – Support the long-term development of a health field – Fund research with strategic, long-term vision Budget – $5M, 5 years Assessed by Science Assessing Committee (SAC) and Programme Assessing Committee (PAC)

Programme Not available for Health Delivery RIS Permission may be given for a Programme bid from a team not meeting the PRG criteria – consultation with HRC before registration – specific research domains; e.g. a clinical trial 29 active programmes

Requirements for Programme Director PRG Director with ≤1 year remaining; or PRG director in the last 5 years; or First NI on ≥2 PRJ grants from HRC or equivalents begun in the last 4 years; or First NI on 1 HRC project begun in the last 2 years, leading ≥ 2 First NI on PRJ grants from HRC or equivalents in the last 4 years; ≥ 0.2 FTE to this PRG; and Employed by a NZ organisation and residing in NZ

Application & Assessment Process for Programmes Open 15 Aug 2014 SAC Outcome June 2015 Outcome June 2015 External review Rebuttal 24 Feb-5 March 2015 End 15 Oct 2014 Work to Research Office due dates! PAC GACBoard

Project Two stage application: EOI and full Objective: Support individuals/teams to address well-defined research questions Budget: ≤$1.2 M, generally for 3 years – for shorter contracts, at average $0.4 M pa – FR2014: Average budget = $1.0 M No limit to the number of EOIs

Application & Assessment Process for Projects EOI open 16 June 2014 SAC Outcome June 2015 Full Application 19 Nov 2014 External review Rebuttal 24 Feb-5 Mar 2015 EOI end 16 July 2014 EOI results: 6 Oct 2014 EOI results: 6 Oct 2014 Work to Research Office due dates! GAC HRC Board

Emerging Researcher First Grant Application: 15 August – 26 September 2014 Budget: ≤$150,000 working expenses, ≤3 years – Excludes support for a postgraduate degree Eligibility of PI (New): – No more than 6 years from attaining a postgraduate degree (but career breaks permissible0 – Without a contract for research expenses of ≥$100,000 (by the time of assessing committee meeting) Suitability of PI (New): – Evidence of establishing an independent research career – Extent to which the proposal represents an independent research stream – Ability to take overall responsibility – Plan for developing an independent research programme FR2014 results: 14/43 applications (32.6%)

Feasibility Study Application: 15 August – 26 September 2014 Objective: Support small studies that test feasibility issues affecting a planned, larger study Budget: ≤$150,000, 12 months Eligibility: Public health or clinical research FR2014: 13/31 funded (41.9%)

Processes for Emerging Researcher First Grant/Feasibility Study SAC (ERFG/FS) Rebuttal (ERFG) Feb 2015 External review (ERFG) Open 15 Aug 2014 End 26 Sept 2014 Outcome May 2015 Work to Research Office due dates! Board

Explorer Grant Application: 1 – 31 October 2014 Objective: provide seed support for transformative, innovative ideas at an early stage Budget: <$150,000 working expenses, < 24 months Eligibility: host support, RIS FR2014: 4/24 funded (16.7%)

Application & Assessment Process for Explorer Grant Triage of proposal Eligibility review Open 1 Oct 2014 End 31 Oct 2014 Outcome May 2015 Board Eligible proposal assigned Random order of fundable proposal

Applying for Research Funding

New Online Submission System, HRC Gateway All NIs must have an account on HRC Gateway To get an account, click on ‘Sign up for HRC Gateway’

After Sign Up Update your profile information Create applications to any open HRC funding round Access applications that list you as a NI – You will be ed when your name is added to a new application Follow the progress of your applications See your to do list

Submitting Your Project EOI Application

Changes in EOI Application Process for 2015 Annual Funding Round Submission of applications via HRC Gateway Section 1 completed online No separate registration closing date Sections 2-5 of GA215S/RHM215S uploaded as pdf File names generated by HRC Gateway

Project EOI Forms (GA215S, RHM215S) Section 1: General Information (Type of Research) completed online via HRC Gateway Section 2: Proposed Research Section 3: CV Section 4: Lay Summary Section 5: Research Classifications

EOI Form: GA215S Section 2 Proposed Research HW, IOACC, HD RIS 3 pages limit + 1 page for references Rationale for Research Design & Methods Research Impact Responsiveness to Māori Expertise & Track Record

Project Full Applications Written feedback to EOI applicants Full applications by invitation only At full application stage: Research must be substantially similar to that proposed in EOI Adjustments to lay summary allowed (based on EOI feedback) NIs can be substituted, HRC must be informed

Research Contract Obligations

HRC Funding and Ethical Approval Required for release of funding Cannot be extended from one contract to another Should be specifically linked to HRC contract number More information Lana Lon, Project Manager Ethics –

Research Contract Obligations Final reports from past 5 years required at full application Media/News items (Suzy Botica:

On-line Reporting Process - Data Use top menu bar to update outputs for your profile Select research contract Enter info: milestones, progress etc Select outputs in main menu specific to contract

Online Reporting Process - Submission Completed: NI click to finish report Forwarded: NI forward report to RO (PDF generated) Signed off: RO sign off report & submit to the HRC

Final Reports & Future Impact – HRC retains final payments until satisfactory report received – Compliance could influence future funding success – Includes discoveries & achievements, workforce development & knowledge transfer – Help identify newsworthy findings & demonstrate the benefits of funding health research & continued investment – All outputs specific to contract – reported to Ministry

Career Development Awards

Clinical Practitioner Research Fellowship (CPRF) Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship Clinical Research Training Fellowship (CRTF) Foxley Fellowship Girdlers’ New Zealand HRC Fellowship Māori Health Research Career Development Awards Pacific Health Research Career Development Awards

Clinical Practitioner Research Fellowship Application: 5 June – 2 July 2014 Objective – Strengthen health care practice and health services – Support translation of research into clinical practice Budget – $50K/year expenses, < 5 years Eligibility – Citizens/residents been engaged in clinical practice for years, leadership, FTE – FR2014: 1/2 funded (50%)

Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship Application: 5 June – 2 July 2014 Objective: – Intended to build future capability to conduct world-class research – Support research stars whose scientific fields have the potential to contribute to health/economic goals for government’s investment Budget: ≤ $0.5M, ≤ 4 years Eligibility: Citizens/residents, 4-8 years post-PhD, FTE FR2014: 3/10 funded (30%)

Clinical Research Training Fellowship Application: 5 June – 2 July 2014 Objectives: – support health professionals to undertake a PhD or equivalent – provide a training that will combine academic research with course clinical experience Budget: ≤$250,000 (pro rata if <3 years) Eligibility: Citizens/residents, medical/dental graduates, psychologists and nurses FR2014: 8/22 funded (36.4%)

Foxley Fellowship Application: 5 June – 2 July 2014 Objectives – enable health professionals to undertake a sabbatical in NZ – enhance links between HRC-funded research and health care delivery and/or health policy Budget: Salary + <$20,000 research costs, 1-2 years Eligibility: > 0.2 FTE, health professionals with > 5 years experience Not to be used to fund a degree

Girdlers’ New Zealand HRC Fellowship Objective – provide advanced research experience – bring benefit to the health sciences in NZ Budget: ~£45,000 pa (salary + other costs, travel), 2 years Eligibility: citizen, PhD or equivalent, < 5 years experience APPLICATIONsee website Full information available from HRC – Including contact with previous recipients – Clerk of Girdlers’ Company – Advice on potential research groups willing to host Fellow – Also see

Changes for 2015 Feedback for Hercus and Clinical Practitioner Fellowships Emerging Researcher First Grant (Eligibility, Assessment) Details all updated in CDA Peer Review Manual /Peer Review Manual and Guidelines

Tips for Successful Grant Writing Read application guidelines, investment signals and assessment criteria (PRM) Ensure you have assembled a good team with appropriate FTE, skills and collaborations (e.g. biostatistician, health economist, etc.) Begin writing your application well in advance of deadlines Make your objectives clear, realistic and achievable Include design and power calculation details at EOI stage Highlight any preliminary data or experience with research- specific techniques Include an appropriate budget and timeline

Tips for Successful Grant Writing Ensure to link your study outcomes with RIS goals Demonstrate appropriate responsiveness to Māori Demonstrate engagement with stakeholders and end-users Clearly identify the roles of NZ NIs within multinational studies SACs include a range of expertise, so write for a more general scientific audience Incorporate EOI feedback into full applications Check spelling, structure and grammar, and allow time for review, peer review and rewriting

Any queries? Contact your Research Office Peer Review Manual/CDA Peer Review Manual 2014 Guidelines Level 3, ProCare Building, 110 Stanley Street, Auckland