Ember Innovations Research Grants 2024

Ember Innovations proudly presents two distinct research grant opportunities for University of Auckland research projects that align with our commitment to innovation, mental health, and honouring lived experiences.

These two opportunities reflect our dedication to supporting a broad spectrum of research that contributes to understanding mental health and wellbeing, fostering innovation, and leveraging personal experiences to create meaningful impact. We invite researchers who share our vision to apply.

Wellbeing Innovation Research Grant

For research in Mental health, addiction, and holistic wellbeing

Ember Innovations warmly welcomes applications from visionary researchers eager to usher in a new era of mental health, substance harm, and wellbeing solutions. Our aspiration is for everyone to access the help they need, precisely when they require it. We are particularly keen on funding research that not only brings forth ground-breaking approaches to mental wellbeing, intervention, and addiction handling, but also stands distinctly apart from existing methods. While we are receptive to any innovative research, we are especially interested by studies focussing on Mātauranga Māori, AI and emerging technologies, the intersection of disability and mental health (including Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and those crafted in close collaboration with communities most in need.

In future years, we are interested in researchers wanting to walk closely alongside the Ember Innovations' "Challenge Process" to inform our work. Email kiaora@emberinnovations.nz to find out more.

Qualification Level: Masters or above

CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION
Focus areas: Mental Health, Substance or non-substance harm treatment, intervention, prevention, or promotion.
Of particular interest (but not essential criteria) Mātauranga Māori, A.I., machine learning and/or emerging technologies, the intersection of disability and mental health (including FASD), and studies crafted in close collaboration with communities most in need.
• Must champion innovation.
• Can encompass health, societal, or creative arts perspectives.
• Excludes strictly medical approaches.

Lived Experience Research Grant

For research in any discipline/category led by a researcher with personal experience of mental distress or substance, or non-substance harm

With an ardent vision for a New Zealand that has a more compassionate response to mental health, addiction, and intellectual disability, Ember acknowledges the invaluable insights that researchers with personal journeys of mental distress or substance harm bring. Despite the accomplishments made by individuals with lived experiences, societal obstacles such as self-stigma, prejudice, and discrimination persistently endure. Through this opportunity, we aim to not only boost the academic careers of researchers embracing their lived experiences of mental distress and substance harm recovery, but also amplify the significant contributions they are already making to research. By doing so we hope to recalibrate perceptions around lived experiences within academic circles.
Whilst the focus of this research does not have to be on mental health, the researcher must be willing to be open about their lived experience. Ember is committed to providing guidance on the safe and appropriate sharing of lived experience to the successful grant recipient(s).

Qualification Level: Masters or above

CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION
• Open to any research topic, area or discipline.
• Explicitly invites researchers who are transparent about their own lived experience and the invaluable insights their recovery journey provides.
• Ember can help with guidance for the successful recipient/s on safe sharing of their lived or living experiences.

General Criteria for both opportunities

General criteria (for both opportunities)

Candidates must exhibit a strong inclination to publish their research.

The highest funding available is $50,000. Funding duration can be up to 3 years.  No overheads are allowed.

Important dates

Information Workshop (optional)

Monday, 23rd September 2024.
1pm – 2:30pm with light refreshments and networking until 3pm
University of Auckland Campus 49 Symonds St - Room 907
An opportunity to ask questions, meet the panel and hear from previous recipients.

RSVPs essential - click here.

Deadline for applications

COB Thursday 31st October 2024

Panel Deliberations

Week of 18th November 2024

Shortlisted Presentations

Thursday 28th November 2024

 To apply, submit your applications to: submissions@auckland.ac.nz