The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) and Ministry of Health (MoH) have announced a new funding initiative to address the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as well as future infectious disease threats. 

The agencies are offering $3 million for a range of research projects from all fields of health and social science. 

The COVID-19 funding package will include two separate funding opportunities: 

• 2020 COVID-19 NZ Rapid Response Request for Proposals (MoH-HRC Partnership Programme) 
  This Request for Proposals (RFP), funded jointly by the HRC and Ministry of Health, seeks immediate responses to the current disease threat of COVID-19. Researchers will be expected to deliver timely and 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 scope of the RFP will identify some research areas of interest to Government although proposals will not be restricted to these areas. 
  The RFP will provide up to $1 million (excluding GST) to fund multiple projects. 
  
  
•  2020 COVID-19 and Emerging Infectious Disease Threats Funding Call (Researcher-initiated Proposals) 
  This call, funded solely by the HRC, is for research that strengthens New Zealand's response to emerging infectious disease threats across a broad scope. Research could include, but is not limited to, the current disease threat. 
  Up to $2 million (excluding GST) will be available to fund multiple projects of different values and durations (up to 24 months). 
  

Both funding opportunities will be released as soon as possible, from the week of 2nd March 2020. 

To see the media release please click here: 

To see the Special Update announcement please click here. 

We have launched a brand new funding opportunity for mid-career researchers – the 2020 Consolidator Grant.

These grants are designed to support mid-career researchers who have made progress towards being a principal investigator in health research and who have previously held an HRC Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship or similar fellowship from another funder. Each award is limited to a maximum of $600,000 for two years. 

Details on who is eligible and how to apply are on the 2020 Consolidator Grant page.

The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (JRP) and the Health Research Council are now seeking applications for funding through the e-ASIA JRP. The HRC has $450,000 over three years available for one research project in the field of infectious diseases (including antimicrobial resistance), cancer or mental health. Registrations close on 16 April 2020 (1pm). All details are available on the 2020 e-Asia Joint Research Program page. 

For those who are planning to apply for funding in the 2021 annual funding round, please note the dates below:

The Health Research Council and the Ministry of Health are seeking to fund high-quality research that will inform the development of a sustainable, nationally coordinated and equitable clinical trials enterprise in New Zealand. Registrations close on 10 March 2020 (1pm). You can find all the details on the 2020 Enhancing New Zealand’s Clinical Trials RFP page. 

The HRC and Precision Driven Health are offering up to three Postdoctoral Fellowships to support innovative research that explores more effective and personalised healthcare for New Zealanders through data-driven precision health. Registrations close on 25 February 2020 (1pm). All details are on the 2020 PDH-HRC Postdoctoral Fellowships page.