Dawn Fellowship

Purpose

These fellowships are intended to provide personal support for scientists or clinicians to carry out research into Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Scope

* Clinicians undertaking research at approved healthcare organisations in New Zealand or internationally

* Post-doctoral research fellows undertaking research at approved research institutions in New Zealand or internationally

Who can apply?

* New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

* Practicing clinicians

* Post-doctoral research fellows who have submitted or been awarded a PhD within the 8 years prior to the application closing date *(see Time Outside of Research)

What is funded?

* Up to three years duration

* Up to 50 salary support for clinicians

* Up to 100 salary support for post-doctoral research fellows

* $10,000 per annum towards working expenses

* Recipients are eligible to apply for travel to conferences and training courses directly related to the project. These are applied for separately as travel grants, up to a maximum of $4,500 in total

What will not be funded?

* Equipment

* Student stipends or fees

* Relocation costs

Closing dates

1 October 2024

Process

* For grant round 2024B the Foundation will not be using this online portal. Download an application form at www.neurological.org.nz/research/funding-opportunities/

* Complete the application form, including signatures from your mentor and host institution. The Neurological Foundation will only accept applications sent by the host institution’s research office

* The budget requested should be in NZD. The Neurological Foundation will not award more than is requested in the budget and does not fund institutional overheads

* Supporting documentation:

· NZ Standard CVs for the applicant and mentor(s), using the template available at www.neurological.org.nz/apply-for-funding/
· A letter of support from the proposed primary mentor (for early career researchers) which includes information on the resources available and how the research expenses will be funded

* Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the Foundation’s Personal Awards Committee, where you will describe your project and future plans

* Applicants will be advised of the outcome early in July

* Successful applicants will be informed of the conditions of the grant and asked for their formal acceptance of the fellowship contract

Dawn Fellowship priorities

Fellowship applications are prioritised according to the instructions of the Dawn Estate.

* Priority 1: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

* Priority 2: Peripheral neuropathy

* Priority 3: Alzheimer’s disease or dementia

Unsuccessful applications will also be considered as part of other fellowship categories where they meet the eligibility criteria. For example, if we receive a fundable application for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, that takes top priority. Other applications would then be added to the relevant application group.

General Advice

Purpose

The Neurological Foundation’s purpose is to “Be a catalyst to improve the future quality of life for New Zealanders impacted by neurological conditions”.

This includes diseases and disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The Foundation will accept applications for research that contributes to our understanding of, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, or management of neurological conditions. The research proposal should have a clear outcome, which will add to knowledge about neurological disorders. The Foundation will accept applications designed to enhance knowledge about the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, but applications that deal only with the management of mental health disorders will not be considered.

*Time outside of research

Exceptions will be considered for significant periods of time outside of research for reasons of illness, bereavement, caregiver or parental leave. Reduced FTEs are not considered as time outside of research. Other exceptions may be considered, please contact the Foundation prior to submission. You may be asked to provide evidence. For example, a research fellow who has taken one years’ parental leave will need to have submitted or been awarded their PhD within 9 years prior to the application closing date.

Resubmission

The Foundation’s Personal Awards Committee provides constructive feedback to applicants after each grant round. If unsuccessful, applicants can resubmit their application in a subsequent grant round. However, the Personal Awards Committee believes that a third submission of an unsuccessful application is not appropriate. Therefore, only one resubmission of a Dawn Fellowship application will be accepted. Successful applicants are only able to receive the fellowship once and are not eligible to reapply for a Dawn Fellowship.

Research contracts

Successful applicants will be offered contracts that outline the conditions of the fellowship, including the following:

* The Dawn Fellowship cannot be held simultaneously with any other fellowship award

* The host institution will administer the fellowship

* The fellowship will have a specific start date and end date

* If the contractual details of the fellowship change a variation request will need to be submitted to the Foundation

* Annual progress reports are required on the anniversary of the start date. A final report will be required within 3 months of the fellowship end date

* Any presentations or publications resulting from the fellowship will acknowledge the Dawn Trust and the Foundation’s support

Questions?

If you have any queries, please contact the Foundation for advice.

[mailto:research@neurological.org.nz,research@neurological.org.nz]

Contact Us

EMAIL ADDRESS

[mailto:research@neurological.org.nz,research@neurological.org.nz]

POSTAL ADDRESS

Neurological Foundation

PO Box 110022

Auckland Hospital

Auckland 1148

TELEPHONE

(09) 309 7749

If you can't find the information you need, please use the "Get in touch" form on this page to send an inquiry to the Neurological Foundation.