Professional Research Support Grant Scheme

Professional Research Support Grant Scheme

The Professional Research Support Grant Scheme is designed to provide short-term, outcome-focused research support by funding the expertise of PhD-qualified Senior Research Partners (SRPs). These experienced professionals collaborate directly with researchers to strengthen research capacity and provide expert assistance in the following areas:

• Research design and methodology
• Ethics applications
• Data analysis
• Grant writing
• Manuscript preparation

This grant covers the cost of engaging an SRP for a set number of hours, offering personalised expert guidance. The awarded grant amount can also be included in the recipient’s track record as grant income, demonstrating successful research funding achievement.

By leveraging the support of an SRP, researchers can:

• Accelerate research progress
• Strengthen their academic track record
• Improve their ability to secure future funding

Support Available

Successful applicants will receive dedicated SRP expertise and capacity-building support under the following packages:

Note: Time is tracked in 15-minute increments.

Example Scenarios

Example 1: Research Ethics Application Assistance ($2,000 Package – 20 Hours)

A researcher preparing a Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) for a regional cancer study receives 20 hours of support from an NSWRCRN Senior Research Partner. This includes:

• Guidance on the ethics process
• Review of application documents
• Assistance with Participant Information Sheets and Consent Forms
• Data management advice
• Submission support via REGIS

Example 2: Grant Application Assistance ($5,000 Package – 50 Hours)

A researcher preparing a competitive cancer research grant application receives 50 hours of support from an NSWRCRN Senior Research Partner. This includes:

• Strategic guidance on funding requirements
• Drafting and refining the proposal
• Budget development
• Research impact statement support
• Ensuring alignment with grant criteria
• Reviewing submission documents

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Professional Research Support Grant, applicants must:

• Be a NSW Regional Cancer Research Network member at the time of application. This includes clinician researchers, academic researchers, and consumer researchers at all career stages, including students. Click here to join.
• Be conducting cancer research aligned with the Network’s objectives.
• Require professional research support for specific activities that enhance translational research capacity, such as:
  • Study design
  • Ethics applications
  • Data analysis
  • External grant development and writing
  • Manuscript preparation and review

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the NSW Regional Cancer Research Network’s online platform. Email submissions will not be accepted.

This is a rolling scheme and will remain open until the total scheme allocation has been reached.

Successful applicants will be notified, and an individual account will be established to track the use of allocated research support hours.

Acknowledgement of Support

Grant recipients must acknowledge the NSW Regional Cancer Research Network and Cancer Institute NSW in any:

• Presentations
• Publications
• Research outputs benefiting from this support

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients will be required to complete a brief survey upon completion of their research support.

Key Dates

• Applications will remain open on an ongoing basis until all available grant packages have been allocated.
• Allocated research support hours must be used before 30 April 2026. Unused hours will expire after this date.

Key Documents

Guidelines

Online Application

Enquiries

For further information or assistance, please contact nswrcrn@newcastle.edu.au