The Foundation exists to support and encourage medical research within the Waikato region and to assist the publication of the results of this research. We offer grants to researchers (to a maximum of $50,000) to initiate a new project idea*, typically those that can achieve tangible outcomes within 12-15 months of grant funding. The level of support offered to particular projects will be dependent upon the quality of research proposals and the availability of funds. As limited funding is available to the Trustees, partial funding may be offered.
*The WMRF views applications that request direct top up funding of larger awarded grants from other funding agencies as a low priority unless the applicant can demonstrate that the WMRF proposal is using data obtained in the larger study to undertake further research. This new body of research in the WMRF application needs to stand alone and be readily identifiable as a project funded by the WMRF. The WMRF will consider joint funding on new applications. If your application is to fund the Waikato arm of a multi-centre/national/international trial you must also address the following:
The WMRF will not fund:
As limited funding is available to the Trustees, partial funding may be offered as a grant-in aid for larger projects (to a maximum of $50,000).
Research proposals are carefully considered by the Grants Committee, which pays close attention to such matters as:
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with experienced colleagues and the referees that they invite to support their applications. The Grants Committee may seek advice from its own referees whose reports will remain confidential. The Trust’s decision is final and no discussion will be entered into.
(a) Complete the application form online.
Grant Application Form – Online.
(b) All successful applications involving human and animal subjects must seek Ethical Approval. This approval is not required on application, but must be obtained within six months of grant approval. A copy of this approval should be sent to the administrator via email admin@wmrf.org.nz prior to funds being released. For human subjects, online HEDC applications are made at nz.forms.ethicalreviewmanager.com
(c) A detailed budget for the project must be provided. It should clearly indicate which part of the total cost you are asking the Foundation to fund. Please note the Foundation is not registered for GST.
(d) It is a condition of the Waikato Medical Research Foundation that the proposed grant funding will be used for the purpose stated on the application form and for no other purpose. Waikato Medical Research Foundation will cover direct costs only. It does not fund any element of overhead recovery nor profit. The Grants are not intended to pay for conference expenses. They do not normally cover travel expenses, unless directly related to conducting research, nor large capital expenditure.
(e) Include the curriculum vitae of the principal researcher(s), this should not exceed 5 pages.
(f) A minimum of two referees’ reviews are required for all submitted proposals. These reports should be from independent scientists; they should not be from the applicant’s own team or department or from scientists with whom the candidate has a working relationship.
(g) Referees’ reviews should be completed online – Referee Peer Review. “Please choose referees who do not have close conflicts of interest. In addition, the committee may seek additional evaluations from independent reviewers that it chooses. Please advise names of any potential reviewers that the applicant believes, for whatever reason, may not give fair reviews. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the Foundation receives these reports by the closing date. Please include name, position, postal and email addresses of each referee.
(h) The Grant is required to be taken up within six months of grant approval and may be extended at the discretion of the Trustees.
(i) The start date of the proposed project must be after the decision date of that round. For adjunct proposals of a larger project that has already commenced, this applies to the start date of the adjunct proposal not the main project. Please contact WMRF if there is confusion.
(a) Successful applicants are required to provide a written final report within one year of receiving funding. Each report shall include a media statement, scientific findings, a financial statement relating to the budget outlined and copies/links to any publications or reports which result from the research. Please include the aim, method, results, discussion and conclusion in your interim and full reports. Including itemised funding spent to date and numbers recruited where applicable.
Extensions to reporting times may be requested via the Foundation’s Administrator with explanation.
(b) Final reports past their due date are required prior to submitting a new application.
(c) The contribution of the Waikato Medical Research Foundation should be acknowledged on all publications arising from the research. In some cases, a specific grant may have been provided by an external organisation (e.g. Cancer Society), which should also be acknowledged.
(d) Awardees may be invited to take part in a seminar or public function at the request of the Waikato Medical Research Foundation.
Any unspent grant money must be returned to the Foundation, for further information contact the Administrator.
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Important Dates
Applications open: 1 March 2025
Applications close: 30 April 2025
Candidates will be notified by the end of November 2025