Aboriginal Heart Health Grants

All projects must be led by a Lead Chief Investigator who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Applications are encouraged from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Aboriginal Medical Services, Aboriginal peak bodies, local health districts, specialty health networks and other public health organisations.

Researchers from universities, medical research institutes and not-for-profit organisations are also eligible to apply.

Is the grant a one off payment model or paid in instalments 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 instalments. 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? E.g a health employee- career level- Indigenous status 

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 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. 

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

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. 

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? 

If the company meets the criteria for eligible host organisation yes. 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 backfill work? 

Up to 50% of grant funds can be used to backfill 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. 

Depending on the number of expressions of interest received, this timeline may be shortened.

NSW Health invites eligible researchers to submit an Expression of Interest for Aboriginal Heart Health Grants. 

The Application process includes two stages:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

1. All EOIs should be submitted by email to MOH-OHMRGrants@health.nsw.gov.au by 5pm (AEDT) on 13 December 2024.
2. Applicants must use the Expression of Interest Form above and attach any supporting evidence. Please submit both a word and PDF version of the application.
3. All email applications will receive an email to acknowledge receipt within 72 business hours. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up if no acknowledgement email is received.
4. The maximum email size is 20MB. Larger emails will be rejected by the NSW Health server and you may not be notified that the email has been rejected.

Any queries regarding Aboriginal Heart Health Grants may be directed by email to: MOH-OHMRGrants@health.nsw.gov.au.

Stage 2: Full application

Detailed instructions will be provided to applicants successful at EOI stage.

Further information around the application submission process is in the Grant Guidelines on page 14.

Registrations for Sax Support – Register here

The Sax Institute is offering two optional services for Aboriginal Heart Health Grant applicants:

1. a concierge service that links applicants to academic partners or researchers with appropriate methods expertise for the project

2. support with the development of applications.

Further information about the Sax Institute support service is in the Grant Guidelines on page 12.

Researchers may find the following resources useful in developing their application.

Aboriginal Health Ethics Guidelines Key Principles – AHMRC

AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research

AIATSIS Engaging with traditional owners

AIATSIS Principles for engagement in projects concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities | NHMRC

NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2024‑​2034 – Aboriginal health

NSW Ministry of Health: Quick-Guide-on-Undertaking-Appropriate-Aboriginal-Health-Research

Pathways into Research Toolkit  – Lowitja Institute

Carissa Paglino was born and raised in the city of Newcastle. She is a proud descendant of the Wanaruah nation. She has always had a great passion for art and design, with her art being featured in several exhibitions and winning various awards. From 2004 to 2015, she worked as a Graphic Designer for Miromaa Aboriginal Language & Technology Center. She has pursued a full-time career as a Freelance Graphic Designer since 2015. Although she practices many forms of art, her professional forte is contemporary Aboriginal Graphic Design. She designs symbols and motifs that are influenced by traditional Aboriginal art and present them in bold, new ways, creating her own unique style.