Call for Applications NZ-US Enabling Grants 2017 Introduction The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) is seeking applications from New Zealandbased researchers with demonstrated collaborations and linkages with researchers based in the United States (US). The specific focus of the collaborations is “determinants and prevention of childhood obesity”. Applicants should read this Call document before preparing an application. Application forms can be downloaded from the HRC website www.hrc.govt.nz. All applications should be submitted through a New Zealand-based host institution. Note: the application form for this initiative is a revised and shortened version of the standard HRC application form. Background This initiative is supported through the Ministry of Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Catalyst Fund1 and aims to facilitate the development of research collaborations between New Zealand researchers and US colleagues to become sustainable international relationships. This work arose out of the New Zealand/United States Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation 2014-2016. Objectives This Call for Proposals is seeking applications from New Zealand-based researchers with demonstrated collaborations and linkages with researchers based in US. The specific focus is on the determinants and prevention of childhood obesity, to support New Zealand and US collaborations and future research activity (note: research is not the focus of this call). The key objectives of this funding opportunity include: 

Contributing to the development of a network of linked US and New Zealand researchers, (as well as other international researchers as appropriate). It is anticipated that new activities will maximise existing collaborative efforts, interventional approaches and investments including New Zealand’s health-related National Science Challenges (i.e. ‘A Better Start’ and ‘Healthier Lives’).

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Maximise the benefit to New Zealand and the US arising from this collaborative activity including increasing the ability of New Zealand and US researchers to participate in research collaborations that attract international co-funding, to work with highly experienced researchers from overseas and to support participation in international health research programmes with a high relevance to New Zealand and US economic and social development.

The Catalyst Fund supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations leveraging international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit. Funding support is for this collaborative activity not for research projects or programmes. 1

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Application procedure and key dates All forms and guidelines are available via the HRC website (www.hrc.govt.nz). The process below is outlined in more detail in the application guidelines for this initiative. These guidelines provide full details on the application process for this Call for Proposals including all required submission dates. Please note that the application form for this initiative is a revised and shortened form compared to the standard HRC application form. Step 1: Registration submission Applicants are required to submit a Registration via the HRC’s online application system (HRC Gateway) by 1pm, Wednesday 26 October 2016. This web-based form signals the intent of the applicant to submit a full application. Step 2: Full application submission Applicants are required to complete a full application using the JV217-NZ-US-EnablingGrants application form2, JV217-EnablingGrants-Budget form, and the New Zealand Standard CV template and submit via HRC Gateway by 1pm, Wednesday 9 November 2016. Refer to the application guidelines for this initiative for details of this process. These guidelines provide information on what is required of applicants in each section of the application form. A complete PDF of the full application is created by HRC Gateway after the deadline for submission, at which time it can be printed in hard copy and sent to the HRC to arrive by 5pm, Wednesday 16 November 2016. Applicants must meet the three deadlines indicated above for their proposal to be eligible. Step 3: Assessment and notification of funding outcomes Applications will be assessed by an assessing committee. Applications may also be screened against eligibility criteria for this round, prior to the assessing committee meeting. Applications that are not explicit in providing strong rationale and evidence of eligibility will be at risk of triage, prior to assessment by the assessing committee. Applicants will be notified of the funding outcomes in December 2016. Scope of the Enabling Grants These enabling grants will be provided to support the development of collaborative linkages between New Zealand researchers and US-based collaborators (and other international researchers as appropriate). Activities must contribute to the achievement of the long term aim of generating significant improvements in health outcomes and demonstrable advances in knowledge, as well as an economic benefit, to New Zealand. Applications must involve a genuine collaboration with at least one US-based research team. The proposed collaboration should be additional to the researchers’ current activities and require joint input of both the New Zealand and the US-based team to be successful. Any proposed New Zealand-based research resulting from collaborative work development through this opportunity must be new, although it may be based on relationships that have been developed over time. Successful proposals will present a vision for how the enabling grant may be used to develop longer-term, sustainable international collaborations. Enabling grants will provide opportunities for applicants to develop the networks and connections that would allow the proposed research to proceed (research is not the focus of this call). This, depending on the nature and specific requirements of the research, may include: 

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Planning and scoping of a potential research project (New Zealand-based component) which would subsequently be submitted to a major international funding agency (including for example, the HRC annual funding round, or The Global Alliance for

The main component of the application form involves the completion of a work-plan (4-page limit).

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Chronic Diseases (GACD) funding scheme. This could also include planning for the New Zealand arm of a study already funded through an international funding scheme. Exchange of staff (including short-term placement/exchange of established researchers, emerging researchers and students) and potentially allowing access to research, resources (such as equipment), data, intellectual property and expertise. New Zealand research team travel and other costs associated with networking including meetings, tele/videoconferences. Development of other important partnerships with other key stakeholders including end-users that may play a crucial role in knowledge transfer and exchange and/or other organisations/teams working in related areas3.

Applicants will need to provide a detailed work-plan for the proposed collaboration with the US-based team(s), including a detailed schedule of activities to be undertaken and key milestones. The rationale for the proposed work-plan should be clearly demonstrated, as well as how the work-plan will clearly result in the desired outcomes for this initiative. Applicants will also need to provide information on how this funding opportunity might be used to develop longer-term, sustainable international collaborations and outline the potential benefit to New Zealand from the proposed collaboration. Value of funding for this Call Up to a maximum of $180,000 (exclusive of GST) is available for collaboration with US-based research teams, with a maximum of $60,000 per application. The duration of the enabling grant may be up to a maximum of 18 months. Note: If financial support is required for individuals who are not employees of the New Zealand host institution (irrespective of whether they are in New Zealand or overseas), a copy of the relevant signed subcontract must be forwarded to the HRC upon confirmation of a contract offer (relevant MoUs or letters of support should be provided with the application). The HRC will not contribute to the overhead of applicants whose principal domicile is outside New Zealand. Reporting requirements It is anticipated that deliverables for this initiative will include meaningful and detailed sixmonthly progress reports; an HRC end of contract report, and a final deliverable report detailing the results of the complete programme of work and the details of the on-going collaboration. Eligibility criteria The following eligibility criteria should be clearly addressed in applications. Applications that are not explicit in providing strong rationale and evidence of eligibility will be at risk of triage, prior to assessment by the assessing committee.   

Address the objectives of this fund as outlined in this call (i.e. collaborative activity between New Zealand researchers and US counterparts focusing on the determinants and prevention of childhood obesity). Demonstrate the applicants’ track records in area(s) directly relevant to the area of the determinants and prevention of childhood obesity. Outline a genuine quality collaboration with at least one US-based team. The proposed collaboration should be additional to the researchers’ current activities.

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This includes areas where New Zealand/international collaborators are seeking to collectively identify common approaches to development of the evidence-base/share best practices in the determinants and prevention of childhood obesity.

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Demonstrate that any joint work-plan would not be possible without the joint input of the New Zealand and US-based team(s) i.e., a high quality partnership is outlined and/or the collaboration will be strengthened. Confirm that the first named investigator is a permanent New Zealand resident or New Zealand citizen. The first named investigator will be considered the first point of contact, and will be understood to be acting for, and in concurrence with, the other named investigators. Show that it is submitted under the auspices of a New Zealand-based host organisation.

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Appendix 1 – Assessment Criteria Applications that progress beyond Eligibility Screening, will be assessed by an assessing committee using the following assessment criteria: A. B. C. D.

A.

Fit with the ‘Call’ for this fund Work-plan rationale Expertise and track record of the team Quality of the collaboration

Fit with the ‘Call’ for this fund

7 = The applicants have convincingly demonstrated that the proposed work-plan fully aligns with all of the objectives and requirements as stated in the Call document. The proposal clearly conveys a thorough understanding of the objectives and requirements and has outlined how the work-plan will address these requirements. 4 = The applicants have attempted to align the proposed work-plan with the objectives and requirements as stated in the Call document. The proposal does not address all of the objectives and requirements, or does not sufficiently address all of the objectives and requirements to provide the desired outcomes of this fund. The proposal conveys an understanding of the requirements and has attempted to outline how the components of the Call will be addressed. 1 = The applicants have not aligned the proposed work-plan with the objectives and requirements to provide the desired outcomes of the Call. The proposal conveys no understanding of the objectives and requirements of the Call.

B.

Work-plan rationale

7= The rationale for the proposed work-plan is extremely well made. The aims are excellent and an overall vision for the work and a clear management plan is provided which will ensure that resources, including human resources are deployed in the most effective way to deliver high quality outputs. The applicants have also convincingly demonstrated that the work-plan will clearly result in the desired outcomes for this fund. 4 = The rationale for the proposed work-plan is well made. The aims, overall vision and management plan are acceptable. High quality outputs may result. 1 = The rationale, aims, vision and management plan are poor or absent. High quality outputs are unlikely to result.

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Expertise and track record of the team

7 = The collaborative team collectively have outstanding topic based knowledge, experience and leadership ability to deliver the proposed work programme. They have outstanding track records relevant to this area, demonstrated delivery of other collaborative projects and associated outputs and have key networks to facilitate this work. 4 = The collaborative team collectively have the topic based knowledge, leadership and experience to undertake the proposed work-plan. They have track records relevant to this area and key networks. There are some areas, however, where this has not been fully demonstrated. 5

1 = The collaborative team collectively have inadequate and/or inappropriate knowledge or backgrounds to undertake the proposed work-plan. They collectively have a weak track record and networks and there are serious doubts as to whether the work-plan will be completed.

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Quality of the collaboration

7 = The collaboration will enable a unique contribution to existing work and provide excellent opportunities for training and development of New Zealand researchers and future new collaborative research in this area. The partnership will enhance the transfer of new technologies and/or knowledge to New Zealand and will build New Zealand capacity to address global/international health research priorities and/or significantly raise the international profile of New Zealand in this area. The collaboration will extend the impact and reach of the New Zealand applicants and provide opportunities to advance to higher levels of excellence. 4 = The collaboration detailed in this application may provide opportunities for contributions to existing training and development of New Zealand researchers and/or future collaborative research in this area. There are some areas where the quality of the partnership has not been fully demonstrated or could be strengthened. 1 = The proposed partnership detailed in this application is inadequate and/or unacceptable. There is very little detail and/or there are serious doubts as to the quality of this partnership or the opportunities this collaborative work-plan may provide.

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