The Association places a high priority on research into Huntington’s disease and is prepared to fund, within the limits of its research budget, appropriate projects.
Types of Grants
Two types of grants are offered:
- small grants to graduate allied health professionals for expenses incidental to their research projects such as for equipment, travel and seminar/conference presentations (maximum grant $5,000), hereafter referred to as “small grants”; and
- grants to health and allied health professionals for more substantial research, hereafter referred to as “research grants”.
Research Priorities
The Association favours research that is likely to produce positive outcomes for Huntington’s disease families in the medium term. Current areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- palliative care
- young people at risk
- children’s experiences/quality of life
- improving the quality of life of people with Huntington’s disease and their carers
- family relationships
Eligible Applicants and Projects
Small grants – those eligible for small grants must be employed as allied health professionals (i.e. non-medical staff such as nurses, social workers, speech pathologists, physiotherapists and dieticians) and working with clients with Huntington’s disease. Their research project must have the support of their employing organisation and/or academic institution, and must relate directly to meeting the needs of people with Huntington’s disease.
Research grants are offered in one of three categories:
- Grants to provide “seed monies” for new or innovative research projects in the expectation that they will develop sufficiently to attract funding from other sources. These grants will be awarded for a period of one year and may be renewed for a second year subject to a satisfactory progress evaluation and the availability of funds.
- Grants to assist researchers undertaking post-graduate study with substantial expenses not covered by their primary award, such as for equipment. They are not available to fund a salary or stipend.
- Research fellowships to help promising young postdoctoral investigators in the early stages of their careers. These grants will be awarded for a period of one year and may be renewed for a second year subject to a satisfactory progress evaluation and the availability of funds. Fellowship recipients are expected to devote a major portion of their time to research, but may include some study and clinical experience.
Applicants for research grants must have the endorsement of accredited institutions that can provide academic direction and administrative support for the research project. The Association does not fund indirect (overhead) expenses.
Projects eligible for consideration are those that can demonstrate that they are consistent with the research priorities described above and that represent “value for money” in terms of the anticipated outcomes for Huntington’s disease families.
Researchers considering making application for a research grant should in the first instance contact the Association and download a copy of the Research Grants – Policy and Guidelines for Applicants.
