The FRIENZ project provides funding to assist selected European Union delegates to participate in a Study Group tour through New Zealand for approximately 5 days beginning 19 October 2015. The task of the delegation is to promote opportunities for collaboration in research and innovation between New Zealand and Europe, to strengthen existing and to stimulate new collaboration with New Zealand research organisations and innovation partners.
The overall interdisciplinary theme of the tour is ‘Living a Long and Healthy Life’. This theme includes a focus on preventing or significantly diminishing the impact of chronic diseases including related cognitive disorders[1] and/or enhancing the potential for tomorrow’s healthy society (enhancing protective factors and addressing modifiable factors in an appropriate way). This includes the ‘right’ approach for age and stage in the life course. -Diseases that are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in New Zealand and Europe are of particular interest. Applicants could be working in an area that aims to accelerate progress on solutions that can alleviate the symptoms of chronic disease, and lessen the social and economic impact for individuals, families and health care systems both now and in the future. This could include harnessing the potential for electronic solutions/health information technology (health IT) for the prevention and management of chronic conditions.
The focus is on research areas/individuals that have demonstrated ‘connectedness’ and support both individual, collective or system approaches to leading a long and healthy life as well as coordination and collaboration of diverse research areas (inter/multi-disciplinary research efforts).
Key areas of interest could include:
- Physical activity (key determinants)
- Healthy diet (diet-related chronic diseases including the link between diet and cognition e.g. eating for a healthy heart and a healthy brain)
Participants are expected to establish on-going relationships and collaboration with their New Zealand counterparts in the theme area. These relationships may build on an earlier tour of New Zealand research and innovation partners to Europe in April/May 2015.
Potential tour destinations:
Successful participants will travel to Otago University in Dunedin, Massey University in Palmerston North and AUT University and The University of Auckland in Auckland.
It is anticipated that participants will visit a range of research teams and centres including, but not limited to:
Applicants should outline in their proposal and key personnel within the selected organisations they would anticipate visiting. Depending on the selected participants, visits may be facilitated, as appropriate, to other tertiary institutes and organisations in the New Zealand health research and innovation sector including District Health Boards.
Representatives from the European Union research and innovation sectors can apply for travel and accommodation support to the value of EUR4200 to participate in this FRIENZ study group tour. The travel policy, in line with European Commission, requires the prudent use of public funds. This precludes premium economy or business class travel. Where travellers would like to book (or upgrade) their tickets, the FREINZ project may reimburse the traveller to the value of an economy airfare. The FRIENZ Project Officer, Michelle Wickens will assist with booking your travel arrangements.
Assessing Applications to select Participants
Applicants will be considered eligible for this opportunity if they are:
- European researchers in a position to develop new collaborative proposals, (New Zealand, Horizon 2020 and Member State funding programmes) to formalise knowledge sharing between Europe and New Zealand; or
- Have an established relationship with a New Zealand Science Leader or future leader at a leading New Zealand research organisation in relevant fields with whom they intend to build collaborative relationships through the proposed study group tour; or
- A European Science Leader who could benefit from linkages to potential partners in Europe and New Zealand.
and
- The applicant must be working in an area(s) relevant to the Living a Long and Healthy Life theme of this call.
Applications to attend will be considered by a Selection Panel in order to ensure a mix of disciplines. Assessment will be based on the specific criteria outlined below:
- The research expertise of the applicant in the area specified in this Call for Participation (Living a Long and Healthy Life’), and
- The experience of the applicant in establishing and sustaining research partnerships to support collaborative programme(s) of work.
Preference will be given to key researchers who demonstrate strong relevant interests and potential benefit to both Europe and New Zealand. In particular:
- Opportunity for research collaboration
- Alignment of interests to the Living a Long and Healthy theme
- Levels of relevant expertise
The FRIENZ Sectoral Contact Point (SCP) and FRIENZ Consortium partners reserve the right to nominate European science leaders to be considered for this call
Please fill out the application form and email to Michelle Wickens (michelle.wickens@royalsociety.org.nz), Project Officer FRIENZ before 09:00 Friday 31st July 2015. Successful applicants will be notified by 14th August 2015.