Deadline: 12-Aug-2026
The Auckland Medical Research Foundation Project Grant Programme supports innovative and high-impact medical research aimed at improving health and quality of life. It funds research across biomedical sciences, clinical studies, public health, population health, and bioengineering.
The programme prioritizes research that contributes directly to advances in health science and medical practice within New Zealand and beyond.
Geographic and Institutional Eligibility
Funding is restricted to institutions within specific regions of New Zealand.
Eligible institutions include:
- Recognised tertiary institutions
- District Health Boards (DHBs)
- Crown Research Institutes (CRIs)
All must be located in the greater Auckland and Northland region.
Principal investigators must:
- Be affiliated with an eligible host institution in the region
- Hold tenure or a contract covering the full project duration
Co-investigators may be based nationally or internationally.
Research Areas Supported
The programme supports a wide range of health and medical research fields, including:
- Biomedical research
- Bioengineering and medical technology
- Clinical research and trials
- Public health studies
- Population health and epidemiology
The focus is on improving health outcomes and quality of life through scientific advancement.
Funding Details
Key funding parameters include:
- Maximum grant amount: NZD 200,000
- Project duration: up to 2 years
- Approximately 14 grants awarded per funding round
- Funding based on merit and available budget
Projects must begin after the official grant decision date.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Principal investigators must be affiliated with eligible institutions in Auckland or Northland
- Must hold tenure or a contract covering the full project duration
- Research teams may include national or international collaborators
Students cannot apply as principal investigators but may participate as co-applicants.
Funding Restrictions
The programme does not fund the following:
- Indirect costs or institutional overheads
- Salary buyout or staff salary supplementation
- Office rental or accommodation costs
- Computers and general office equipment
- Equipment costing more than NZD 5,000
- Conference attendance or travel costs
- Retrospective funding for completed work
- Master’s or PhD stipends and tuition fees
These restrictions ensure funding is focused on direct research activity.
Student Involvement Rules
Students may participate but with limitations:
- PhD and MD students can be co-applicants
- Students cannot serve as principal investigators
- The programme does not fund student stipends or fees
The emphasis remains on institutional-led research leadership.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the official online portal.
Steps include:
- Creating an account under the principal investigator
- Completing the application form and project details
- Submitting supporting documentation through the portal
- Ensuring the project start date is after the funding decision date
Applications must align with programme eligibility and funding rules.
Selection and Award Structure
Grants are awarded based on:
- Scientific merit and research quality
- Relevance to health improvement
- Feasibility and methodology strength
- Institutional capacity and research environment
- Potential impact on health outcomes
Approximately 14 projects are funded per cycle depending on available resources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common issues in applications include:
- Including ineligible costs such as overheads or equipment over NZD 5,000
- Submitting student-led principal investigator applications
- Weak justification of health impact or research significance
- Missing institutional eligibility requirements
- Poorly defined research methodology or objectives
- Incorrect project start timing relative to decision date
Strong applications clearly align with funding rules and demonstrate health impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Auckland Medical Research Foundation Project Grant?
It is a funding programme supporting medical and health research in Auckland and Northland, New Zealand.
Q2. How much funding is available?
Up to NZD 200,000 per project over two years.
Q3. Who can apply?
Researchers at eligible institutions such as universities, DHBs, and CRIs in Auckland and Northland.
Q4. Can students apply as principal investigators?
No, but PhD and MD students may participate as co-applicants.
Q5. What types of research are supported?
Biomedical, clinical, public health, population health, and bioengineering research.
Q6. What costs are not covered?
Overheads, salaries, large equipment, travel, and student stipends.
Q7. How are projects selected?
Based on scientific quality, health impact, feasibility, and relevance.
Conclusion
The Auckland Medical Research Foundation Project Grant Programme supports high-quality medical research aimed at improving health outcomes in New Zealand. By funding impactful projects across biomedical and clinical sciences while maintaining strict cost guidelines, the programme ensures resources are directed toward meaningful advances in health, science, and medicine.
For more information, visit AMRF.