Workshop for New Zealand Health Delivery Research Investment Stream Project Applicants

 New Zealand Health Delivery Research Investment Stream  Outcome of NZHD Project Applications in Rounds  Feedback from Committee Chairs and Recommendations for Applicants Outline

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

Research Investment Streams Rangahau Hauora Māori Building Māori knowledge & capability to address Māori health issues Improving Outcomes for Acute & Chronic Conditions in NZ Improving outcomes in illness & injury Health and Wellbeing in NZ Understanding health and preventing illness & injury NZ Health Delivery Immediate impact on policy & health delivery

 Goals: To make informed decisions or valuable changes as a direct result of the research within 5 years  Purpose: strengthen the use of evidence to inform decision- making in health practice or to improve the health system  Scope: research that can contribute to an outcome of improved health service delivery over the short-to-medium term

 Research characteristics Change of orientation End-user engagement Knowledge transfer

NZHD Applications in Rounds Number of Fundable Applications 4339 Number of Full Applications % of Fundable Applications Results were disappointing for applicants and HRC

Feedback from Committee Chairs Key strengths Research topics were worthy of research and investment Increased numbers of Clinicians involved in proposed studies

Feedback from Committee Chairs  Over half of the applications (more in early years) did not score well across the assessment criteria.  A range of issues but two key areas? 1.Lacking rigor, justification and specification of methodology and study design. AND 2.Lacking specification of clear impact on practice / policy and the process to deliver that (eg specification of the translational component embedded in proposal)  The right people to deliver impact  The right process to achieve impact

 Approach used not adequately justified as the best /most appropriate  Poor linking of study outcomes with Research Investment Signal goal  Research team had limited research experience (or lacking the full range of skills needed)  Budgets contained costs that were not well justified.  eg too high FTE without a clear exposition (but watch having too little FTE to do the work!) Feedback from Committee Chairs Other weaknesses to consider

Key Recommendations for the Applicants  Establish linkages with end-users at EOI stage wherever possible (and have named contributors for full submission).  Check panel feedback on EOI (may improve the quality of Full applications)  Worth getting peer review of your applications by local experts (methodology and translational components)  If doing an RCT - must select “RCT” as Type of Research in HRC Gateway

 Ensure research methods are clear, operationalised and justified as the best for the particular study being done  Clearly link study outcomes with Investment Signal goals  Specify what translation of outcomes will be achieved within five years of the contract commencing - and how So the key actions for applicants now?

 Must be similar to Expression of Interest application  Can edit lay summary (based on EOI feedback)  NIs can be substituted, HRC must be informed  Guidelines, Investment Signal & Peer Review Manual  Ensure you have assembled a good team with appropriate FTE, skills and collaborations (e.g. biostatistician, health economist, etc.)  Make your objectives clear, realistic and achievable Tips for Writing Full Application

 Demonstrate appropriate responsiveness to Māori  Demonstrate engagement with stakeholders and end-users  Clearly identify the roles of NZ NIs within multinational studies  Write for a more general scientific audience  Poor presentation can give a bad first impression  Check spelling, structure and grammar  Allow time for internal peer review and rewriting Tips for Writing Full Application

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