Content

Home»Grants » NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health » NHMRC Partnership Projects

NHMRC Partnerships Projects

Partnership Projects is the first funding scheme to be called under the NHMRC Partnerships initiative. It is designed to support research that addresses the delivery, organisation and funding of programs and services that affect health.

On this page
Funding policy

[top]

Apply for funding

Prior to submission of an application for NHMRC Partnership Projects funding, applicants are to ensure they:

  • read all relevant reference material; and
  • contact their Administering Institution to obtain an Application ID, and to identify any specific requirements that the Institution may have.

Key dates and timeline

The key dates for the NHMRC Partnership Projects application round are as follows:

  • 25 July 2008 - Applications open
  • 19 December 2008 - Applications close

Documents

[top]

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

1. Is there a ratio of cash or in-kind partner support?

No. This initiative has been designed to encourage partnerships to be developed and therefore the NHMRC has tried to minimise barriers. However, applicants ought to be aware that the strength of the partnerships will be measured in part by the value of the partner support… poor support may be seen as an indication of low interest on the part of the partner in the research or the implementation of the findings.

2. Can funding be sought for CIs?

No, although financial support for some activities undertaken by CIs may be sought. Funding for CIs could be sought from Partner Agencies.

3. Are commercial organizations acceptable as funding partners?

Yes. However they will need to partner with organizations which have ‘Administering Institution’ status, as defined by the NHMRC or be entitled to apply for such status. There may also be Intellectual Property issues to ensure that the research will benefit the Australian community and not only the commercial entity, and that the researchers have rights of publication of results.

4. Are overseas agencies acceptable as partners?

The NHMRC funds health and medical research to improve the health and well being of Australians. If the partnership with an overseas agency is expected to achieve this end result then the partnership is acceptable. Much would depend on the actual application and how the partnership is justified in terms of benefit to Australian policy and decision making.

The Funding Policy encourages research that addresses issues of national and regional significance (rather than local-only significance).

5. Can PhD scholars be funded through NHMRC Partnership Projects?

The NHMRC does not want to be proscriptive. It’s up to the Applicant to justify the personnel required.

6. Can researchers engage with more than one partner?

Yes. But the application must provide information about the governance of the partnership to ensure that all partners are satisfied with the arrangement.

7 Must all the researchers work in the same institution?

No. But there can only be one Administering Institution named.

8. What can I do if a Partner agency can only commit to funds for part of the research period — say three years?

Partner funding must cover the full funding period either cash or in-kind. If the Partner agency can only commit cash for the first three years, there is nothing to preclude them from committing in-kind for the last two years. The key commitment is in the terms of collaboration across the period for which the funding is requested. If the partner can only commit to the project for three years – then the application should only be for three years of funding.

9. How can I involve a Partner who has no cash resources?

You may need to find an additional partner to join the Partnership. It is acknowledged that some policy agencies are cash-poor, but have considerable policy influence. Another Partner with more cash, and less influence, may be willing to participate and benefit from the union. Commercial organizations can be partners, subject to conditions as outlined at (3) above.

10. When will the Partnership Centres for Research Excellence be announced?

It is anticipated that applications for these Centres will be called in 2009.

11. Can you provide any further information about the proposed Centres?

When details of the call for Partnership Centres of Research Excellence are released for public dissemination they will be put on the NHMRC Partnerships web- site, and available for all members of the public.

12. How many applications can a person be named on as an Investigator?

There is no prescribed number. Obviously the assessment process will note the work commitment. Else where on the application you will be asked to advise present work commitments.

13. Do you need letters of support from the partners?

Letters of support should be used to find the information for Section 7. Partners must sign off the application indicating that they know their commitments to the program. Hold the letters of support with the original application with your RAO.

14. What should I do if the project exceeds the $1.5million maximum funding from NHMRC?

Please provide a written one page justification and explanation of the need for the additional funding. (email to maryanne.haslam@nhmrc.gov.au.) A response will be provided within 5 working days.

[top]

footer links