The HRC will launch a new online submission system called HRC Gateway for the 2015 funding round. HRC Gateway will replace the current system (known as EASY), which has been in place since 2005.
John Sluyter from The University of Auckland will use his Pacific health research fellowship to explore whether it's possible to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease in Pacific communities.
Māori podiatrist Steve York's decision to embark on a research career has resulted in the first detailed account of the state of diabetes-related lower limb amputations in Northland.
Ten Pacific health researchers will receive a share of $1.09 million in funding from the HRC, with two top awards focusing on Pacific peoples and heart disease.
A new fast-track cardiac diagnostic tool trialled at Christchurch Hospital is already cutting down the number of unnecessary hospital admissions involving people presenting with chest pain.
Over the course of a year, the HRC typically offers in excess of 30 different funding opportunities, including sporadically released Requests for Proposals.