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COVID-19 research funding opportunities available now

Issue date:
Coronavirus and magnifying glass image

Applications are now open for two funding opportunities focused on responding to the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat, and strengthening New Zealand’s research capacity and response to emerging infectious disease threats.

The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) and Ministry of Health last week announced a $3 million rapid research response fund, aimed at supporting a range of research projects that address New Zealand’s evidence needs in relation to COVID-19, while also contributing to global COVID-19 efforts.

Applicants are advised to apply for the most suitable of the two funding opportunities outlined below:

Two distinct funding opportunities available

1: 2020 COVID-19 New Zealand Rapid Response Research (Request for Proposals)

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is jointly funded by the HRC and Ministry of Health. It aims to fund research that immediately responds to the COVID-19 threat and strengthens New Zealand’s response and readiness to this outbreak threat. The focus is on research that can provide actionable evidence in the short-term (within 3 - 6 months) to inform the Ministry of Health and/or other agencies involved in the all-of-government COVID-19 response.

The objectives and scope of this funding initiative, including the government’s research areas of interest, are outlined in the RFP documents available on HRC Gateway, the HRC’s online application portal. Research should be informed by the principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi, and careful consideration should be given to the potential impact of research on health equity and at-risk groups.

Proposals are invited from all fields of health and social science to respond to the RFP objectives. Research should be able to commence rapidly and detail how early and valuable findings will be disseminated for use by the Ministry of Health and/or other agencies.

A funding pool of $1 million (exclusive of GST) is available. The funding partners expect to fund multiple projects across a range of values within this funding pool. Proposals with a duration of up to 6 months are invited. The funding partners retain discretion to fund exemplary proposals with a duration of up to 12 months and/or up to $500,000, where warranted.

2: 2020 COVID-19 and Emerging Infectious Diseases Grant (Researcher-initiated Proposals)

This funding opportunity, funded solely by the HRC, is for research that can provide evidence within a short to medium time-frame, with project durations up to 24 months. It aims to fund research relating to COVID-19 that strengthens New Zealand’s research capacity and response to emerging infectious disease threats. Proposals that are also able to generate and release some or all of their findings earlier (e.g. within 6 - 12 months of commencement) are welcome, in order to support the all-of-government COVID-19 response.

The scope of research is broad with applications encouraged across all fields of health and social science. All details, and examples of research themes, are outlined in the application form and guidelines available on HRC Gateway.

Research proposals should align with the New Zealand Health Research Prioritisation Framework and demonstrate the local relevance of the work, as well as its benefits for advancing the health of Māori and Pacific peoples and reducing health inequities. Proposals should also build on, rather than duplicate, global research efforts and demonstrate a commitment to international solidarity and collaboration.

A funding pool of $2 million (exclusive of GST) is available. Within this funding pool, the HRC expects to fund multiple projects across a range of values. Proposals with a duration of up to 24 months are invited.

Application process

In keeping with the responsive nature of these funding opportunities, the HRC will run a shortened application and assessment process which requires submission of a full application within three weeks.

Applicants are first required to submit a registration via HRC Gateway by 1pm, 16 March 2020. They must then complete an application via HRC Gateway by 1pm, 23 March 2020.

Applicants will be notified of funding results on 7 April 2020, with funding available for an immediate start.