Call for Applications – Gut Cancer Research Funding Round. Applications must be received by GCF by email to info@gutcancer.org.nz by 5 pm, Friday 29th September 202

The Gut Cancer Foundation (GCF) is calling for applications for: 

A clinical trial, clinical study, or pre-clinical research which aims to improve outcomes for patients with gastro-intestinal (GI) cancers in New Zealand. The value of the grant is $150,000 (GST excl).  

GCF will consider both new research or existing projects with preference given to those applications most closely aligned with GCF’s strategic aims and current research priorities: 

• Improving access for New Zealanders to clinical trials 

• Supporting NZ clinicians to combine their clinical work with research projects  

• The development of a dedicated clinical research workforce for upper and lower GI cancers with a focus on increasing Māori participation 

• Supporting research and trials that increases equitable outcomes and access for Māori, and other underserved populations in Aotearoa New Zealand 

GCF will consider applications from all relevant health professions, who are able to combine their clinical work with research, investigating how to improve detection, diagnosis, the quality of life and potential survival for people living with GI cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand.  GCF will consider applications from pre-clinical researchers that clearly define a short-term pathway to clinical trials. 

The Gut Cancer Research Funding Round is available in (but not limited to) the specialty areas of cancer surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, palliative care, cancer genetics, radiology, anatomical pathology, nutrition, nursing, psychiatry, or public health. 

General information 

For clinical trials and clinical studies, awards will be distributed on a patient-by-patient basis. Successful recipients will be expected to invoice for each patient recruited to the trial. 

Awards to pre-clinical research projects will be distributed through 3 payments of $50,000. The 2nd and 3rd payments will be conditional on the satisfactory receipt of a 6 monthly review.  

Six monthly progress reports are required using the provided accountability template. The report will be reviewed by GCF’s Scientific Advisory Committee who will advise the GCF board on the distribution of future payments. 

All recipients would be expected and required to acknowledge funding support from GCF in oral or written reports about their work.  The successful applicant must be prepared to have a profile posted on GCF’s website www.gutcancer.org.nz and promoted through GCF’s marketing material.  

Applications should be made on the Research Proposal form attached and need to include the proposed research, and information about the applicant, description of how their time will be allocated, and demonstration of value to their career.  

Applications must be received by GCF by email to info@gutcancer.org.nz by 5 pm, Friday 29th September 2023.  Please note that your host institution may have an earlier closing date and GCF strongly encourages you to adhere to the internal deadline.  Please also ensure that you also fulfil any institutional requirements for submission.  

The decision will be made by GCF’s Scientific Advisory Committee and ratified by the Gut Cancer Foundation board of directors. Applicants will be notified by mid-early November 2023.   

GCF Clinical Research Application Form
GCF Non-Clinical Study Application Form
GCF budget template
GCF CV template

Applications are due at 12 noon Friday 29 September 2023

Ka whati te tai, ka pao te tōrea (seize the opportunity that this could bring)

The Gut Cancer Foundation is proud to collaborate with Te Kāhui Matepukupuku o Aotearoa (The Cancer Society of New Zealand) and Hei Āhuru Mōwai (Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa) this year to award a round of Research Masters and PhD scholarships to Māori Cancer Researchers.

The Māori Cancer Researcher Awards 2023 demonstrate our shared commitment to advance Māori aspirations in cancer research, and our recognition of the importance of representation in the research workforce in achieving this.

Thanks to GCF supporters, 2023 will see a specifc grant available for research into cancers of the digestive system.

Eligibility

The Māori Cancer Researcher Awards 2023 are for researchers who are committed to hauora Māori, maximising Māori cancer health gains, addressing existing cancer inequities, and/or fostering Māori health aspirations. We value applications that include kaupapa Māori and mātauranga Māori.

To be eligible, you must: 

• Be of Māori descent

• Be resident in Aotearoa New Zealand

• Have academic supervision which includes at least one Māori supervisor. Those unable to identify a Māori supervisor are encouraged to get in touch prior to applying. Information on supporting Māori students through their studies can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/ahuruakonga

• Intend to enrol or already be enrolled in a Research Masters or PhD. Those who have not yet enrolled for their proposed course of study but are intending to do so may apply for this scholarship. In this case any award will be conditional on the applicant’s successful enrolment in either a Research Masters or PhD at a University or Whare Wānanga in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Applications for the Gut Cancer Foundation funded Masters must demonstrate how their research will impact on patients affected by gastro-intestinal cancer.

The Gut Cancer Foundation Masters Scholarship will comprise the following components and will last for one year (12 months):

• Stipend of $35,000

• Tuition fees of $10,000

Part-time students are welcome to enrol, noting that for such students the scholarship would be pro-rated. The award will not be granted for a period longer than the equivalent of one year (Masters) or three years (PhD) fulltime.

How to apply

Application Flowchart (to come)

Masters Scholarship Guidelines

Masters Scholarship Form

Please fill out the appropriate form using the corresponding guideline document, and submit your complete application to research@cancer.org.nz

Applications are due at 12 noon Friday 29 September 2023