The Health Research Council Health Delivery Research Project Grant provides support for health delivery research of varying values and durations (up to a maximum term of 5 years and a maximum value of $1.4 million).

Project applications are processed through a two-stage process. In the first stage, applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) application that provides an overview of the proposed research. On the basis of the EOI stage, selected applicants will be invited to submit a Full application in the second stage of the process. The Full application demonstrates the quality and scientific rigour of the research project in greater depth and detail.

Health Delivery Research Project Grant applications must propose research that:

• is within the scope of the 2026 Health Delivery Research Investment Signal
• directly contributes to improved healthcare delivery at a policy, practice or systems level within three to five years.
• takes place in a healthcare delivery setting
• includes practicing clinicians and/or health policymakers in all aspects of the project, particularly in shaping the research need, undertaking the research, and identifying translational potential.

Eligibility requirements

If you are the first named investigator (i.e. lead researcher) or the co-first named investigator on a project application, you must be employed by a New Zealand host organisation and be domiciled in New Zealand.

There is a limit of one project application per first named investigator/co-first named investigator.

The HRC welcomes proposals for ‘co-first named investigators’ to create a research team of exceptional strength, e.g. for interdisciplinary work. In addition, early and mid-career researchers who have not previously held a project contract are encouraged to apply as co-first named investigator with a mentor/experienced researcher.

Collaborating researchers from outside New Zealand can, at the HRC’s discretion, be included as named investigators on an HRC Project contract. However, the HRC will not contribute to the overheads of the overseas investigator, and the total proportion of the contract budget allocated to overseas investigators must not exceed 20 percent.

For more information about our contract requirements, please read the HRC Rules document under 'Helpful links'.

Eligibility requirements

New Zealand’s investment in health research must contribute to achieving the goals of the health system and the science, innovation and technology system.

For the health system, the Government is committed to improving health outcomes by providing New Zealanders with timely access to high-quality health services.

A key focus for the science system is to harness the benefits of research and innovation to drive economic transformation. The Government wants to ensure that the research it funds is progressing its priorities, and that there is a clear pathway to translate new ideas into successful commercial enterprise.

Therefore, it is important for researchers and research organisations to identify how research to be funded by the HRC will add value and contribute to these goals and wider system performance.

All HRC-funded research must meet the following requirements:

1. Research must be focused on health and improving health outcomes and/or the health system, where health outcomes are defined as:
   1. absence or reduction of disease, symptoms or morbidity, and/or
   2. timely access to quality healthcare, for all New Zealanders, including strengthening prevention of disease and injury, earlier diagnosis, earlier patient-specific (precision) intervention, and new and improved models of care, or medicines, treatments and cures, and/or
   3. longer life expectancy, and/or
   4. improved quality of life.
2. Research into the causes of ill health, or the determinants of health (e.g., environmental, socio-economic, cultural, and behavioural factors) must demonstrate a pathway to improvements in health outcomes and/or the health system (as defined above).
3. The research proposal provides an evidence base when describing areas of high health need and population groups with high health need.
4. Council makes final decisions on funding, informed by the assessing committee recommendations and taking into consideration Government priorities and the balance of investments across our portfolio.

Changes in the 2026 Project Grant guidelines

The HRC has made changes to the application and assessment processes for the 2026 Health Delivery Research Project round. Please carefully read the new guidelines and the 2026 Health Delivery Investment Signal, particularly the new sections outlining the eligibility criteria and what is in scope and out of scope for the 2026 round, before preparing your application so that your proposal aligns with the round’s requirements.

How do I apply?

First, you’ll need to ensure that you have an up-to-date profile on HRC Gateway. You will then need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) application online via HRC Gateway using the 2026 Health Delivery Research Project Grant EOI Application Form before the deadline.

Got a question?

Please check our helpful links section (on the right) and the documents below. If you still have a question about our Health Delivery Research Project Grants, please email info@hrc.govt.nz.

Documents

Guidelines

2026 Health Delivery Research Investment Signal
25 Mar, 2026 3:08pm - 617KB

2026 Health Delivery Research Project Grant EOI Application Guidelines
25 Mar, 2026 6:33pm - 951KB

Forms

2026 Health Delivery Research Project Grant – EOI Application Form
25 Mar, 2026 6:33pm - 758KB