Neurological Foundation Programme Grants – New Zealand

Deadline: 02-Nov-2026

The Neurological Foundation Programme Grants support multidisciplinary research teams in New Zealand working to advance understanding of diseases and disorders of the nervous system. The grants are designed for established research teams that are ready to progress to the next stage of their research. The programme supports collaborative research, encourages international partnerships that strengthen research capability in New Zealand, and places a strong emphasis on meaningful partnership with Māori communities.

About the Neurological Foundation Programme Grants

The Programme Grants support established, multidisciplinary research teams based in New Zealand. The programme is intended for teams that have a strong research foundation and are positioned to advance their work on diseases and disorders of the nervous system. Research programmes should demonstrate the potential to strengthen neurological research capability in New Zealand while contributing to a better understanding of nervous system diseases and disorders. How Much Funding Is Available? The maximum value of a Programme Grant is $1,000,000. Funding can be provided for a maximum term of 5 years. The grant can support eligible research personnel, research expenses, equipment, and travel directly related to the research programme. What Can the Funding Support? Programme Grant funding can support a range of personnel and research-related costs.

Eligible costs include:

- Salaries for postdoctoral researchers. - Salaries for named investigators. - Research assistant salaries. - Technician salaries. - Administration and support staff. - Stipends and fees for PhD students, excluding student services fees. - Working expenses. - Research equipment. - Travel for conferences directly related to the programme. - Travel for training directly related to the programme. The proposed expenses should be directly connected to the research programme. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Postdoctoral researchers. - Clinicians. - Academics. Applicants must be based in New Zealand and should be part of an established multidisciplinary research team. The team should have the expertise and capacity required to undertake the proposed research programme and demonstrate its potential to advance to the next level. Multidisciplinary Research Teams The Programme Grants are intended to support collaborative teams bringing together researchers and other relevant expertise.

A collaborative team may include:

The combination of different expertise should strengthen the proposed research programme and its potential contribution to neurological research. International Collaboration The programme encourages international collaboration. International partnerships can be included where they contribute to building research capability within New Zealand. Applicants should demonstrate how international collaboration will strengthen the proposed programme and contribute to the development of neurological research capacity in New Zealand.

Partnership With Māori

A clear partnership with Māori communities is required. Applicants should demonstrate meaningful Māori partnership through: - Consultation. - Participation. - Alignment with Māori research principles. Māori partnership should be visible throughout the application rather than being treated as a separate or isolated component of the research programme. Educational Component The research programme must include an educational aspect.

This may involve:

- Student involvement. - Trainee involvement. - Teaching. - Engagement with end-users. - Engagement with community groups. The educational component should demonstrate how the programme contributes to research training, knowledge sharing, or engagement with people who may benefit from or interact with the research. Research Focus The Programme Grants focus on research into diseases and disorders of the nervous system. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed research will advance understanding in this area and how the multidisciplinary programme is positioned to make further progress. Research Capability in New Zealand An important objective of the programme is to strengthen research capability within New Zealand. This is particularly relevant when international collaborators are involved. Applicants should demonstrate that collaboration outside New Zealand contributes to building local expertise, capacity, or capability. The programme therefore supports collaboration while maintaining a strong focus on developing New Zealand’s neurological research capacity. Institutional Overheads and Ineligible Salaries Institutional overheads are not eligible for funding. Salaries for individuals who are already funded by their institution are also not eligible. Applicants should ensure that their proposed budgets clearly distinguish eligible grant-funded expenses from costs that are already supported through institutional funding. Early-Career Researcher Involvement The collaborative team should include early-career researchers alongside established academics and clinicians. This approach supports research development and helps create opportunities for researchers at different career stages to contribute to multidisciplinary neurological research. Applicants should clearly identify the roles of team members and how their expertise contributes to the proposed programme. Industry and Community Partnerships The research team may involve industry or community partnerships where relevant. Such partnerships can contribute additional expertise, knowledge, or engagement to the research programme. Applicants should explain the relevance of any proposed partnerships and how they contribute to the overall research objectives. Long-Term Research Development The Programme Grants are intended for established teams that are positioned to advance their research to the next level. Applicants should therefore demonstrate a strong research foundation and a clear rat