Research development in Hunter New England

The Clinical and Health Service Research Fellowship Scheme (the Scheme) supports healthcare professionals and clinicians in Hunter New England LHD to explore relevant health service and clinical research related professional development opportunities. 

It helps established and emerging researchers and improvement professionals to become future leaders in their field.

The purpose of the Scheme is to:

• build clinical and health service research capability and leadership in Hunter New England by providing resources to backfill substantive positions. 
• enable high-quality clinically relevant research that is in line with our District's priorities to improve patient health outcomes and efficiencies of health services locally, nationally and internationally.
• contribute to a culture of research and evidence-based improvement across our district, making it central to how we deliver excellence for every patient, every time.

Note: Round 8 of applications is now closed. For future dates, and further information, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

The Hunter New England Improvement Grant Program (the Program) encourages Hunter New England staff, service managers, improvement specialists and patients to work together to apply evidence-based innovations that help improve patient and community health outcomes.

The Program only focuses on converting existing evidence and guideline recommendations into sustainable routine care delivery practice. 

This program does not fund or support research initiatives for knowledge generation. 

Note: the 2024 application round is now closed. For future dates, and further information, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) partners with the University of Tasmania to deliver the Graduate Certificate (Clinical Redesign). 

This course is for healthcare teams to carry out priority projects and learn in-depth skills in project and change management and service design.

Internal process for Hunter New England LHD staff members

Any staff member who intends to apply for this course must notify the Hunter New England LHD Research Office (the Redesign Leaders) of their intention by submitting:

• a Hunter New England LHD Notification of Intent (NOI) form (must be by a Hunter New England LHD staff member).
• an ACEI Pre-Course Information and Hunter New England LHD application form. 

The Redesign Lead will review the NOI and provide feedback to the applicant within 1 week.

Note: Hunter New England LHD will not consider staff applications without an NOI form.

For further information, relevant forms or templates, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

2023 Successful Applicants

• School 1: Clinical redesign of Hospital-in-the-Home, Greater Newcastle Sector - Community and Aged Care Services. 
  Team: Robyn Lloyd, Richard Woods, Amanda Robinson, Sarah Scharfe
• School 2: Key enablers to support optimal patient flow and access in Acute Inpatient Services - Maitland Hospital
  Team: Vanessa Fellows, Michelle Jordan, Megan Brown, Sommer Harrison
• School 3: Season for Change: Improving access and efficiency to immunology and allergy services - John Hunter Hospital
  Team: Leearna Bennett and Michelle Kulupach

The HCF Research Foundation Translational Research Grants Scheme (the Scheme) focuses on responding to health issues identified by health care providers and translating research findings into practice by health service delivery stakeholders. 

The Scheme's aim is to implement cost-effective, evidence-based innovation into health care delivery to improve outcomes and the experience of health care workers.

Note: There are no funding rounds currently open. For future dates, and further information, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Health Translational Research Grant Scheme (the Scheme) funds competitive research grants up to $500,000 for projects that translate into better patient outcomes, health service delivery and population health and wellbeing while building research capability within NSW Health. 

The NSW Office for Health and Medical Research offer funding to staff within:

• NSW Ambulance
• NSW Health Pathology
• Local Health Districts (LHDs) in NSW
• Specialty Health Networks (SHNs) in NSW

This includes medical and nursing staff, allied health professionals and population health practitioners. 

The aims of the Scheme are to:

• support the translation of research into policy and practice.
• encourage research that is a priority for the State or outlined in local strategic research plans.

Forms

• Translational Research Grant Scheme - Round 8 Partnering Organisation Approval Form
• Translational Research Grant Scheme - Round 8 Full Application Form

Note: There are no funding rounds currently open. For key dates, guidelines and application forms go to the NSW Health Translational Research Grants Scheme website.

For further information contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

The Hunter New England Allied Health Research Grant (the grant) supports allied health professionals to conduct small-scale research projects.  

The $5000 grant is managed by the Allied Health Research Advisory Group. The grant's aim is to encourage research that can improve clinical practices and patient outcomes across the Hunter New England LHD.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

1. be an allied health professional and employed by Hunter New England LHD.
2. make surethe proposed research is small-scale and relevant to clinical practices or patient outcomes within Hunter New England LHD.
3. make sure their project has ethics approval in place before the grant is awarded.

For more information email the Hunter New England LHD Research Office or call (02) 4921 3700.

Note: There are no funding rounds currently open. For future dates, refer to the Hunter New England Facilitated Grants Programs Calendar of Opportunities.

The Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) in NSW offers the Rural Research Capacity Building Program. 

It is one of NSW Health's key strategies in building research capacity in rural NSW, as per the NSW Rural Health Plan.

This 2-year hands-on research program is designed to provide beginner researchers with enhanced skills and knowledge to complete their own research projects. 

NSW Health employees in rural areas with no previous experience or limited exposure to research are eligible to apply.

Candidates attend a series of workshops to:

• develop their research proposal
• create the research protocol
• gain approval by an ethics committee
• collect and analyse data
• complete a portfolio of evidence and research report.

Applicants must include a research proposal with their submission. They should discuss their proposal with the Rural Research Program Officer. 

The research proposal is required to link in with the Local Health District's strategic plan or NSW Health's strategic and operational priorities. 

Application forms

• HETI: Rural Research Capacity Building Program - Application Form (Individual)
• HETI: Rural Research Capacity Building Program - Application Form (Team)

Note: There are no funding rounds currently open. For future dates, refer to the Hunter New England Facilitated Grants Programs Calendar of Opportunities.

For further information contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

ACI Redesign School

HCF Translational Research Grants Scheme

NSW Health Translational Research Grants Scheme

Allied Health Research Grants

Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) provides training and education courses to support NSW Health's clinical and non-clinical staff, trainers, managers, and leaders. 

Search for these key training modules:

• Rural and Remote – Research Capacity Building Program
• Research: Planning the Research Process
• Research: Introduction for Beginners

Our librarians can support higher degree students, staff and teams participating in an innovation scholarship project, developing guidelines, undertaking a systematic review or meta-analysis.

For more information go to the Hunter New England Health Libraries website. 

This program offers a series of presentations and seminars designed to provide information and practical advice for various professionals involved in research. 

The program aims to enhance knowledge, skills, and collaborations within the research community.

The sessions cover a range of topics that is relevant to:

• clinicians 
• clinician researchers
• clinician managers
• conjoints and health academics.

Go to the Hunter New England Health Libraries website to view all recordings of current and past sessions.   

The RR-CLaN is a rural-led initiative that provides high quality research education and training to healthcare staff working in rural, regional and remote areas.

The aim is to provide our staff with education and training opportunities to build key skills in how to use and undertake research to improve healthcare delivery.

All staff are welcome to register and join the free monthly online education sessions. 

For more information about RR-CLaN sessions email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

You can view the RR-CLaN recordings of current and sessions online.

The Hunter New England LHD Research Office regularly run information sessions to help applicants develop quality submissions for research grants and awards run by Hunter New England LHD.

We also support lectures and seminars by visiting scholars. You can view all the session recordings on the Hunter New England Health Libraries website.

This program is offered by the Hunter Medical Research Insitute. It focuses on building research capabilities within the healthcare workforce. 

Clinician researchers in the program can:

• access career mentoring
• collaborate with academic and other researchers
• access small seeding grants for their own practice-based research projects
• work on impactful, patient-centred and cost-effective solutions to real-world clinical challenges.

Find out more about the program.

Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) hosts a wide range of research seminars, workshops, training sessions, trade displays and events to support the work of Hunter researchers.

The HMRI Seminar Series features national and international research and industry leaders.

Note: you will need to register as an HMRI affiliate to access the recorded sessions.

The HMRI also hosts free events for researchers and the general public. Use the search function to find recordings of past events.

The University of Newcastle's Research Advantage Program supports researchers at all stages of their career through education, training, mentoring and special programs. 

James Murray-Parkes is the Chief Scientist at Technotia Laboratories. The laboratory is part of the world-renowned Brookfield Asset Management in New York, USA. 

In this session, James shares what it means to define finger-on-the-pulse innovative research, which uses the physical world to find inspiration for the solution to global problems, but more importantly to find the problems in the first place. 

To request access to this recording contact Hunter New England Health Libraries.

On 11 February 2020, the Australian Clinical Trial Alliance (ACTA) hosted an Implementability Super Webinar presented by ACTA's Deputy Chair, Professor Steve Webb. 

The session presented a new concept, exploring how implementability improves the planning, design, delivery and reporting of clinical trials.

Access the recorded session, guidance document and slide deck online.

PRAXIS Australia partners with organisations across the research and clinical trials sector to enable collaborations on mutually beneficial projects and offers-of-value to networks.

• Webinars: Free webinars that explore the latest in the clinical trials and research sectors.
• Virtual workshops: Shorter, fully virtual format workshops on understanding principles and critical considerations of each topic.
• In-person workshops: Diverse range of face-to-face workshops on new and emerging areas of research, research ethics and clinical trials.
• Intensive Research Ethics Retreat: This intensive course is conducted as a 5-day retreat to assist researchers, ethics committee members and others involved in conducting and assessing research, discussing issues and sharing experiences. 
• Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Essentials Course: The HREC Essentials course provides HREC executives, managers, researchers and committee members with a deeper understanding of the purpose and functions of HRECs.
• Research Essentials Program - Developing Excellence in Research Design and Practice: The Research Essentials program is a flexible online training solution for researchers, clinical trials and healthcare professionals.

The Agency for Clinical Innovation's redesign and change management courses provide capability development for NSW Health. This helps frontline staff and consumers to work together to improve service delivery for the entire patient journey. 

Cochrane is an independent, not-for-profit organisation made up of 37,000 contributors from 130 countries. It helps make vast amounts of research evidence useful and accessible for individuals, organisations and governments around the world. 

Cochrane Australia provides training and support and holds regular workshops for review authors and editors. 

The JBI is a global organisation promoting and supporting evidence-based decisions that improve health and health service delivery.

The institute offers short courses, post-graduate degrees and tailored training programs for health professionals, researchers, academics and policymakers.

The Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research Inc. (the Consortium) is a not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting and improving social science research and methods in Australia.

The Consortium offers regular training programs in social science methods and research technology.

NSW Health uses the Aboriginal Health Impact Statement (AHIS) to combine the health needs and interests of the Aboriginal people in developing new and revised health policies, programs and strategies.

• AHIS Declaration Form (PDF 180KB)
• Read the NSW Health AHIS Policy Directive
• Watch a short animation video about the AHIS

Hunter New England Health Libraries provides services to assist and support the research, teaching and information needs of all Hunter New England LHD staff and related health professionals. 

Our Library branches are located at Mater and Tamworth hospitals. Access to resources and services, including research support is available from the library website. 

For any funds to be transferred from Hunter New England LHD to the University of Newcastle (UoN) or Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), you will need to complete the:

• Hunter New England LHD Approval template
• Funding Agreement template (funds to HMRI or UoN)

For any funds to be transferred from UoN or HMRI to Hunter New England LHD, you will need to complete the:

• Funding Agreement template (funds from HMRI or UoN)

For further information, forms or templates contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

The Hunter New England LHD Research Grant Endorsement template is an ISBAR brief (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation). 

As a standard, this brief provides information regarding:

• what the grant is about, its requirements, risks, costs to Hunter New England LHD, etc. 
• an indication (if required) that the relevant operational managers support the application. 

It can be sent to the relevant finance, service and general manager and/or executive to obtain their approval for you to submit a research funding grant if the:

• funder requires HNE manager or executive approval to be included in the application.
• funder requires a letter of support from the Hunter New England LHD managers or executive. The ISBAR provides managers/executives with a draft letter of support from the applicant.
• applicant wishes to include a letter of support from the Hunter New England LHD managers or executive as a way to strengthen the grant. 

Submission process

Please allow at least 14 days to receive your endorsement after submission.

• Please communicate with the Service Manager so they are aware you will be sending this request and provide a feedback loop should they wish to discuss the project further.
• Please complete the Research Grand Endorsement template and email it to the Service Manager along with any relevant supporting attachments referenced with the template.
• If your project requires a letter of support, please make sure you include a draft version (as a MS Word attachment) with your request.

For further information, forms or templates contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

• HNE Research related HNE Contingent Worker (Contractor) application form
• HNE Supervisor Form for Researchers (Conjoint)
• Honorary Researcher (Conjoint) application form 
• HNE Supervisor Form for Honorary Researchers (Conjoint)
• Honorary Research Assistant (Conjoint) application form
• HNE Supervisor Form for Research Assistants (Conjoint)

For further information, forms or templates contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au

These guides and resources can help researchers ensure that research with and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities is:

• culturally safe, respectful, and responsible. 
• follows a process of meaningful engagement and exchange.
• of high quality and of benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)

• AIATSIS Code of Ethic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research

  A guide on how to apply the AIATSIS Code is also provided on their website. 

  Note: The AIATSIS Code replaces the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS). All references to GERAIS in Australian research codes should be taken to refer to the AIATSIS Code. 

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC)

• Ethics and Research at AHMRC
• NSW Aboriginal Health Ethics Guidelines

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

• Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
• Keeping research on track II - NHMRC - provides advice on how the values and principles outlined in NHMRC's ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities can be put into practice in research. 

Office of Health and Medical Research (OHMRC)

• Research engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - The OHMRC provides resources for health professionals and researchers:
  • undertaking research in NSW Health facilities with a focus on Aboriginal people and/or where Aboriginal people are considered as part of a broader study population. 
  • conducting translational research with Aboriginal People or communities. 
  • to help improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people by fully applying an Aboriginal health lens to all policies, programs and strategies. 

Consumer involvement and engagement is fast becoming an important part of patient-centred research across the world. 

These resources are for NSW researchers and health professionals looking for consumer involvement to support their research and/or projects. 

NSW Regional Health Partners (NSWRHP)

The NSWRHP offer researchers resources, education and training relating to consumer involvement. 

NSWRHP's Consumer Connect platform links consumers with lived experiences to health and medical projects, research and health services. 

Researchers and health staff members looking for consumers to participate in their projects can email hnelhd-nswregionalhealthpartners@health.nsw.gov.au

Health Consumers NSW (HCNSW)

The HCNSW is a membership-based independent charity, and an independent think-tank in health consumer engagement in NSW. 

With an established state-wide network of health consumer representatives, HCNSW also represent health consumer organisations for specific disease and population groups.

You can find researcher resources, training courses and research partnerships on their website. 

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

The NHMRC provides leadership and guidance to the health and medical research sector on the meaningful engagement of consumers through all stages of research and health care.

• Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
• Toolkit for Consumer and Community involved in Health and Medical Research

Sydney Health Partners

Sydney Health Partners is a NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centre (RTC). 

The organisation is a collaboration between 5 major health services, a world-leading university and 11 affiliated medical research institutes. 

You can find consumer and community involvement resources on their website.

Australian Clinician Trials Alliance (ACTA)

The Consumer Involvement and Engagement Toolkit is a joint initiative between ACTA and Clinical Trials: Impact and Quality (CT:IQ). 

It provides practical advice for researchers and research organisations looking to conduct patient-centred clinical trials.

Office for Health and Medical Research (OHMR)

The OHMR have resources for clinical trial researchers, including clinical trial recruitment resources support researchers and research organisations to specifically recruit of consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) audiences for clinical trials throughout Australia. 

Grant applications are a rigorous and competitive process. Applications are reviewed by an independent assessment panel. 

Go to the Grants Hub website for useful tips and resources to prepare and submit a successful grant application.

The Office of Health and Medical Research have resources for grant applicants, including:

• designing your research study.
• analysing your research data.
• translating your research findings.
• commercialising your research data.

Abstracts are powerful ‘short stories’ that are used in journal articles and conference presentations. 

An abstract will help reviewers to decide whether to:

• accept your paper, conference abstract or grant application
• help readers to decide whether to read your paper or attend your presentation.

Learn more about what a good abstract is, and how to write a well-prepared abstract with a step-by-step guide and examples.  

NSW Health 

NSW Ministry of Health provides guidelines for developing research grant partnerships.

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

The NHMRC's Partnership Projects funding scheme provides funding and support for researchers and policy makers to work together to:

• define research questions
• undertake research
• interpret and implement the findings into policy and practice.

Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Research Missions

The MRFF Research Missions bring together key researchers, health professionals, stakeholders, industry partners and patients to tackle big health challenges.

You can also read the MRFF's Report on funding for rural, regional and remote health research.

Sax Institute

The Sax Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes by driving better use of evidence in policies, programs, and services. 

Researchers, practitioners and policy makers can access resources, connect with researchers, and register for training and events.