Aboriginal Heart Health Grants 2024

Provide a completed Expression of Interest (EOI) on the Stream 1 or Stream 2 Aboriginal Heart Health Grant form.

If applicable, applicants may also attach other documents, for example a list of references supporting the science.

All applications for funding that meet the eligibility criteria will be assessed against the following selection criteria at both EOI and Full Application stage:

• Impactful Aboriginal-led research (40%)
• Quality of the research proposal and team (30%)
• Aboriginal leadership, skill development and capacity building (30%)

More detail about each of the selection criteria is available in the Guidelines. In addressing the selection criteria, applicants should specifically highlight the relevance to cardiovascular research. Applications should be written in plain English.

Is the grant a one off payment model or paid in installments on an annual basis?

We are planning to pay the whole grant at the beginning of the grant period. There are various ways of paying applicants, however, whether that’s upfront or in annual installments. We can work with successful applicants and discuss this at full application stage. 

Can General Practice partner with another organisation for this grant?

We welcome partnership with general practice. If the general practice is a private organisation that does not fit within the eligible host organisations list, then they can be a partner on the grant – staff from this organisation can be an Investigator on the Team or simply a Partner.

What are the requirements for the Investigator team? For example, does there need to be an Aboriginal Health Worker, or team members who are employed by NSW Health or who have reached a specific career level? 

No specific requirements for the Research Team. Given the grant is Aboriginal-led, we would expect to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in the Team but there is no set number of team members – it’s about having the right people with the right expertise for your project. 

Please refer to the selection criteria and important considerations within the guidelines carefully as there are many tips around what we are looking for in the Research Team and Partners. We also provided a number of tips in a webinar about the grants that was held on 16 October. There is a link to a recording of the webinar on the Aboriginal Heart Health Grants webpage. 

What are the reporting processes? See ‘Post award requirements’ on page 15 of the Guidelines

• Annual progress reports and financial acquittals are required for the duration of the grant, endorsed by the Chief Investigator and by an authorised representative of the host/administering organisation.
• A final report and final financial acquittal following the conclusion of the grant endorsed by the Chief Investigator and by an authorised representative of the host/ administering organisation organisation. 
• Post grant reports related to research translation and research impact may also be required to support our evaluation of the grant.

We will provide reporting templates and confirm reporting deadlines via email. Reporting requirements will also be outlined in the grant funding agreement.

Can you apply for both grants? 

No, you can only apply for one funding stream as a Lead Chief Investigator or Co-Chief Investigator. The applicant can be named on additional applications as Associate Investigators or team members in either stream.

See ‘Funding conditions and exclusions’ on page 6 of the Guidelines.

Would a stroke project be considered under cardiovascular health?

Yes, any condition related to the heart or blood vessels, including related chronic diseases, are eligible areas of research. See page 4 of the Guidelines for more detail. 

Can an Aboriginal owned and operated private company apply?

Yes, if the company meets the criteria for eligible host organisation. If not, the company can partner with an eligible host organisation.

If consultation and scoping has already been undertaken as part of a previous project can you apply for stream 1?

Yes, if the consultation and project identified a potential solution/intervention to improve cardiovascular health outcomes that is suitable to progress to a testing or feasibility study. 

How does funding for clinical back-fill work?

Up to 50% of grant funds can be used to back-fill any member of the investigator team who is in a clinical or client facing role. These include Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners, doctors, nurses and other medical staff. This request must be included in the budget and endorsed by the Chief Executive/Executive Director of the organisation where clinical duties are undertaken. More detail is provided on page 7 of the Guidelines.

Is an academic partnership necessary if the Lead Chief Investigator has a research background?

As long as the Lead Chief Investigator is employed by an eligible host organisation they are eligible to apply. While not mandated, partnerships with appropriate stakeholders including academic partnerships and other stakeholders may strengthen applications.