The purpose of the fellowship is to strengthen healthcare practice and health services by providing the opportunity for experienced clinicians to sustain and expand a programme of research. The fellowships will also support integration of research into clinical practice, provide a focus for the development of additional research within the healthcare environment, and promote translation of health research into practice. An essential feature is that the fellowship must promote the growth of the individual’s research activities, thereby benefiting healthcare in New Zealand, and also provide a focus for additional research within the individual’s organisation.

For the purposes of this fellowship, clinical practice includes the delivery of community and public health services.

The fellowship provides part-time salary support (0.2 – 0.5 full time equivalent) and some research working expenses for a maximum term of five years. The fellowship will pay base salary, ACC and superannuation but not on-call or other clinical allowances, CME costs, college or professional body membership, NZMC registration or practice indemnity premiums.

Eligibility criteria

You can apply for the Fellowship if you are a New Zealand citizen or hold New Zealand residency at the time of applying. You will also need to be based in New Zealand and undertaking both your programme of research and clinical care responsibilities in New Zealand.

You should also have engaged in postgraduate clinical practice for less than 20 years. Exceptions for time spent outside the research environment will be considered (e.g. time taken for parental leave or illness).

In addition, you will need to be working in clinical healthcare and planning to maintain your clinical practice, which aligns with your research, alongside the fellowship

Please note: this fellowship can only be held on a part-time basis. You must be employed to provide clinical care for at least the same full-time equivalent as the fellowship.

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 complete an online registration form via HRC Gateway to signal your intention to apply for this fellowship. Following registration, you’ll need to submit a full application online via HRC Gateway using the forms available below. Application guidelines are also available below.

Got a question?

If you have a question about this fellowship, please email info@hrc.govt.nz

Documents

Guidelines

2026 Career Development Awards - Application Guidelines
3 Jun, 2025 6:53pm - 509KB

2026 Career Development Awards - Peer Review Manual
3 Jun, 2025 6:54pm - 503KB

Forms

2026 Career Development Awards - Budget Form
3 Jun, 2025 6:53pm - 34KB

2026 Career Development Awards - Clinical Practitioner Application Form
3 Jun, 2025 6:56pm - 769KB