New User Grants

New User projects represent high-quality, policy-relevant research proposals, and are focused on increasing the diversity of Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) data users.

Crucially, New User projects must be led by a Principal Investigator who has not previously conducted research using GUiNZ data.

They may be more focused in scope than Standard Research projects (eg conducting a descriptive analysis of some GUiNZ data or a preliminary piece intended to inform later work).

New User projects can apply for up to $50,000 per proposal with a maximum term of 12 months.

Eligibility

• Applications are open to academics, government agencies, private research organisations and non-government organisations.
• Collaborations between groups are encouraged, and all applications must be developed in collaboration with relevant government policy agencies.
• We encourage applications from small research organisations, service provider or iwi-based organisations with research capability, government agencies, and/or early career researchers.

Assessment process

• Applications for funding will be assessed by an independently chaired panel with collective expertise across research and government policy sectors.
• The panel will recommend to the Ministry of Social Development which proposals should be funded, based on proposals’ final scores against the assessment criteria.
• Consideration of the overall mix of recommended proposals and value for money will also be included in final funding decisions.
• Grant applications will be assessed on the quality of the project, team capability, policy relevance, partnership and impact.

Assessment criteria

Project quality (weighting 45%)

• Research questions and objectives based on a clear knowledge gap and can be answered using GUiNZ data.
• Methodology is suited to the research questions, and included a description of the data and variables to be used, and verification that they are available in the external GUiNZ data set.
• Cultural factors are given explicit consideration and project plan includes sensitive and appropriate response.
• Peer reviewers for reports, analysis plan and policy briefs are named, and the scope of each review and plan for incorporating feedback is described.
• The budget is reasonable for the type and length of tasks.
• Timeline is detailed and realistic.
• Potential risks to the project are identified and sound mitigation strategies are described.

Team capability (weighting 20%)

• The research team demonstrates the expertise and skills (or seeks relevant training/support or advice) to deliver the project, each team member has a clearly defined role, and leadership of the team by the Principal Investigator is genuine.

Policy relevance and partnership (weighting 20%)

• There is a clear framing of how the research links to a current policy issue and the project has been developed in response to the policy needs of one or more government agencies.
• The project is relevant to the Government’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy proposed outcomes framework.

Impact (weighting 15%)

• There is a credible plan for engaging end users, disseminating findings to relevant audiences, and for sharing learnings from the research process with other researchers.

Further detail related to the assessment process and criteria can be found in the application pack.

Data Access Committee

Proposals recommended by the panel must gain approval from the Data Access Committee for access to the required GUiNZ external datasets.

The Ministry of Social Development will forward successful applicants’ Data Access Applications to the GUiNZ Data Access Committee for consideration.

New User training grant

New User research grant applicants can also apply for up to $5,000 for training or support to develop the research capability of the research team.

The training grant will be assessed on:

• the extent to which the training or support will provide specific advanced skills that will strengthen the proposed research (eg training in data analysis methods to be used in the research) and is at a level suitable to the research team;
• the quality of the training or support (eg it is delivered by a recognised and reputable organisation or suitably experienced individual);
• the budget and value for money; and,
• consideration of risks and how they will be mitigated.

Further detail related to the new user training grant can be found in the application pack.

How to apply

To apply for a research grant, complete the following forms (using the templates provided) and email your application to researchfund@msd.govt.nz.

Applications are now open and will close on 26 July 2019.