Further to the deadline extension for the Health Delivery Research Project Grant outlined last week, the HRC has made additional changes to the 2020 Health Delivery Research Investment Round, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges faced by all health delivery research stakeholders:

• Health Delivery Research Career Development Awards – deadlines have been delayed by three months.
• Health Delivery Research Activation Grants – this will now be offered in two streams, with applications for the second stream due later in the year.
• Health Sector Research Collaboration Grants – flexible timeframes have been introduced.
• Health Delivery Research Project Grants – as previously communicated, the full application deadline has been extended. 

All details are in this Special Update and further questions can be directed to Luke Garland, Research Investment Manager: lgarland@hrc.govt.nz

Due to the new restrictions/lockdown now in force in New Zealand and Australia, and the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak, we have decided to cancel one of the last stages of assessment - HRC science assessing committee meetings - for the current funding rounds. Please keep an eye out for a Special Update next week which will explain how we intend to proceed with the assessment process for these funding rounds.

In light of the impact of COVID-19 on the health sector in New Zealand, the deadline for the Health Delivery Research Project Grant will be extended until 1pm, Friday 24 April.

By extending the deadline date, we are looking to utilise as fair and equitable approach as possible to running this round, while still ensuring important health delivery research can proceed. For all the details, read our Special Update sent to Research Offices today.

The HRC is currently discussing the impact of COVID-19 (particularly in light of yesterday’s announcement from Government) on the current Health Delivery Research Investment Round, including in regards to the Health Delivery Research Project Grant deadline (which is currently set to 1pm, Thursday 26 March). While we are trying to maintain our application and assessment processes, we appreciate the situation has rapidly evolved and there are a number of challenges and pressures being faced by the sector.

We will provide an update on our approach to running this round on Wednesday 25 March.

In keeping with government advice on COVID-19, staff at the HRC will be working from home from this week (23 March).

We will keep researchers up-to-date on funding information and Round details through our usual communication channels – HRC Update, our website, and here on Gateway. Any changes and developments at the HRC due to COVID-19 can be found on this web page, along with answers to questions you might have.

Please note, for the foreseeable future, the HRC will not require hard copies of applications. Submissions on Gateway will suffice.

Please take care and feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or queries.

Note for Research Office staff:

The HRC has been considering how to manage its portfolio of research contracts in light of the delays and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The potential impact on investigators endeavouring to undertake research under these circumstances may be significant with limited access to their workplace, restricted travel around New Zealand and internationally, activation of quarantine protocols, doubtful availability of research supplies, and limitations working with study or patient groups.

In order to support our researchers, the HRC will accept any extensions and/or changes to research contracts directly or indirectly caused by COVID-19. In order to minimise administrative burden for research providers, contract variation requests do not require the detail normally needed, but should simply state the COVID-19 cause. Requests should be made in writing to the HRC by research providers. Providers may either ask for contract suspension until further notice or may seek a time extension. 

Please take care through these challenging times and feel free to call our staff if you have further concerns or questions. 

The Health Research Council and the National Natural Science Foundation of China have established a funding initiative to support the development of collaborative research relationships between the two countries. A total funding pool of $1,000,000 (exclusive of GST) is available for allocation, with opportunities to apply for Project funding or an Emerging Researcher First Grant. Registrations close on Wednesday 13 May 2020. All details are available on the 2020 HRC-NSFC Biomedical Collaboration Fund page.

The e-ASIA Joint Research Program 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: