These grants fund high impact Aboriginal-led research. The $5 million in funding is part of the Cardiovascular Research Capacity Program, the NSW Government’s $150 million investment over 10 years into cardiovascular research.
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $750,000
- Application opened: 26 September 2024
- Application closes: 13 December 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
Aboriginal Heart Health Grants aim to:
- improve cardiovascular health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples
- increase the number of targeted Aboriginal cardiovascular research projects being undertaken in NSW, and
- build the capacity of Aboriginal communities and researchers in cardiovascular focused research.
This program is funded and administered by NSW Health.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person must lead the project as a Lead Chief Investigator.
- Non-Aboriginal researchers can apply for the grant as a Co-Chief Investigator with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Lead Chief Investigator.
- The Lead Chief Investigator (and Co-Chief Investigator, if relevant) must be based in NSW and have the right to work in NSW for the duration of the grant (3 years).
- The Lead Chief Investigator (and Co-Chief Investigator, if relevant) will be employed by an eligible host organisation for the duration of the grant, which must be in NSW and be an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal peak body, university, independent medical research institute, not-for-profit organisation that conducts health and medical research, local health district, specialty health network or other public health organisation.
- Aboriginal Health Workers, Aboriginal Health Practitioners, clinicians (medical, nursing and allied health professionals) and researchers are eligible to apply. Clinicians may use up to 50% of the grant to back-fill their clinical role.
Who can’t apply
- People who do not meet the eligibility criteria listed above.
Types of projects funded under this grant
- Various types of research may be funded including clinical medicine and health services research, data science, population health research and implementation research.
- The term cardiovascular is used to encompass all diseases and conditions of the heart and blood vessels, including but not limited to:
- coronary heart disease
- stroke
- heart failure
- vascular disease and vascular health
- cardiovascular complications of diabetes and obesity
- major independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- rheumatic heart disease
- congenital heart disease
- The program has two streams:
- Stream 1: Up to $750,000 to conduct a multidisciplinary project, which has undertaken a consultation process with Aboriginal communities to identify a need/priority and solution/ innovation/strategy to be tested in the cardiovascular space.
- Stream 2: Up to $250,000 for early-stage developmental/exploratory research project, where a consultation process is required with Aboriginal communities to determine an identified priority/need, better understand its causes, and suggest solutions/ innovations/ strategies to address the need in the cardiovascular space.
What can’t you apply for
Aboriginal Heart Health Grants must not be spent on:
- basic science projects
- capital works
- general maintenance costs
- organisational infrastructure or overheads
- telephone/communication systems
- basic office equipment, such as desks and chairs, rent and the cost of utilities
- international conference/seminar attendance fees and associated travel and accommodation expenses
- domestic conference/seminar attendance fees and associated travel and accommodation expenses, if not presenting research findings or
- health services delivery costs and new services.
Funds awarded cannot be used to support research conducted outside of NSW.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- Provide a completed Expression of Interest (EOI) on the Stream 1 or Stream 2 Aboriginal Heart Health Grant form.
If applicable, applicants may also attach other documents, for example a list of references supporting the science.
Address the eligibility criteria
Applications must be led by an Aboriginal Lead Chief Investigator who is:
- located in NSW
- employed by an eligible host organisation for the duration of the grant (3 years)
- an Australian citizen with permanent residency status or holds an appropriate visa for the duration of the grant (3 years), and
- satisfies the requirement that their research is in the field of cardiovascular research (see above under ‘Types of projects funded under this grant’).
Address the assessment criteria
All applications for funding that meet the eligibility criteria will be assessed against the following selection criteria at both EOI and Full Application stage:
- Impactful Aboriginal-led research (40%)
- Quality of the research proposal and team (30%)
- Aboriginal leadership, skill development and capacity building (30%)
More detail about each of the selection criteria is available in the Guidelines. In addressing the selection criteria, applicants should specifically highlight the relevance to cardiovascular research. Applications should be written in plain English.
Start the application
Applications for this grant are now open.
An Information Webinar will be held on 16 October 2024 from 12pm - 1pm.
For full details:
- Download the Grant Guidelines (PDF 2.03MB)
- Download the Stream 1 Expression of Interest Form (DOCX 1.85MB)
- Download the Stream 2 Expression of Interest Form (DOCX 1.85MB)
Submit a word and PDF version of your form to:
MOH-OHMRGrants@health.nsw.gov.au by 5pm Friday 13 December 2024.
After the application is submitted
- Eligibility check: Following the closing date for applications, NSW Health will determine if each application has satisfied the eligibility criteria.
- Review by Expert panel: A panel of expert reviewers will assess each eligible application against the selection criteria.
- Funding recommendation: The panel will agree on the final ranking of all eligible applications and will make a recommendation for funding to NSW Health.
- Decision and notification: NSW Health will determine grant recipients and amounts. All applicants will be informed as to whether they have been awarded funding.
- Grant Agreements: NSW Health will contact host/ administering organisations for successful projects to execute a funding agreement. A standard, non-negotiable funding agreement will be used.
Support and contact
Phone: 02 9391 9228
Email: moh-ohmrgrants@health.nsw.gov.au
Researchers may find the following resources useful in developing your application:
Aboriginal Health Ethics Guidelines Key Principles – AHMRC
AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
AIATSIS Engaging with traditional owners
NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2024‑2034 – Aboriginal health
NSW Ministry of Health: Quick-Guide-on-Undertaking-Appropriate-Aboriginal-Health-Research