Q1. What will the split be between European and NZ scientists in the Sandpit?
Q2. What expertise are you looking for - just obesity and diabetes researchers?
Q3. How are participants selected and how can you be sure the right people are in the room?
Q4. Who will the director and mentors be?
Q5. Can the deadlines for the expressions of interest be extended?
Q6. How does the CV information requested relate to the HRC CV template?
Q7. Is this a FRENZ activity, or a HRC one?
Q8. How broadly should the research theme (novel approaches to addressing genetic and environmental factors associated with diabetes and obesity) be interpreted?
Q9. What do FRENZ and the HRC each expect to achieve by running the Sandpit process?
Q10. Do all Sandpit participants get something out of this?
Q11. How are research ideas developed?
Q12. Can a research team that applies to an HRC round involve EU scientists?
Q13. How many researchers from each organisation will participate?
Q14. What are the priorities for the HRC annual funding round?
Q15. What are the main roles in the Sandpit process?
Answer: This will depend on the applicants, but we expect there to be approximately 6 researchers from New Zealand and up to 10 European researchers in the Sandpit.
Answer: The nature of Sandpits is trans-disciplinary and we are looking for a broad cross-section of expertise. Examples include, but are not limited to, food technology, clinical expertise, economics, geography etc. Above all, we seek to engage researchers who can demonstrate that they have something relevant to offer to the research questions set by the Sandpit.
Answer: A multi-party panel (the HRC, FRENZ, and the Sandpit facilitator) will assess prospective participants. The process by which participants are selected is outlined on page 6 of the
Sandpit Call Text PDF.
Answer: The director for the Sandpit will be Professor Norman Sharpe, Medical Director of the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. The mentors have yet to be confirmed, but this information will be made available as soon as possible on the FRENZ website.
Answer: No, as this would delay the whole Sandpit process. The Expressions of Interest (Application) form is relatively short; we require a maximum of three pages, plus your CV.
Answer: The suggested CV template is the New Zealand RS&T Curriculum Vitae Template. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider how information relating to their skills and expertise, as captured in their CV, can be tailored to address the specific Expression of Interest questions.
Answer: This Sandpit is a FRENZ activity with a specific HRC dimension.
This Sandpit is the second of three that FRENZ will deliver through their agreement with the European Commission. For this Sandpit, FRENZ worked closely with the New Zealand Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI), the HRC and the European Commission to determine a potential subject area of mutual EU-New Zealand interest.
Answer: A broad interpretation is correct. We intend that the research ideas and directions will represent new and innovative ways to address the growing public health challenge presented by diabetes and obesity. The Sandpit delegates will have the flexibility to refine proposed research in partnership with end-users. This will also ensure the delivery of a broad, integrated trans-disciplinary outcome.
Answer: FRENZ aim is to enhance the engagement of the New Zealand research, science and technology community with the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7). The HRC’s objectives are to facilitate the development of new and novel research directions, approaches and collaborations addressing diabetes and obesity that can be translated into funding applications.
Answer: The Sandpit is an innovative process to develop novel research ideas. It is then up to participants to self-determine their involvement in research collaborations and subsequent research funding applications.
A key feature of the FRENZ Sandpit process is to support the development of collaborative New Zealand-Europe research relationships. These relationships may result in participation in the research teams and projects emerging from the Sandpit; or may mature later through other schemes such as fellowships or the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES).
It is expected that all participants will benefit professionally from the Sandpit experience and the networks created in this intensive environment.
Answer: The Sandpit process enables participants to develop innovative research approaches and then refines them. An experienced European facilitator will lead participants through defined stages of the Sandpit process, culminating with the development of research project ideas that are suitable for submission to available funding mechanisms in New Zealand and Europe. These stages involve end-users at some points, and include:
- defining the scope of the issue
- agreeing a common language and terminology amongst people from a diverse range of backgrounds and disciplines
- sharing understanding of the research problem, and the expertise brought by the participants to the Sandpit
- using creative and innovative thinking techniques to scope research to resolve the research problems; and
- capturing the outputs in the form of research project ideas.
Answer: Under legislation, all HRC funds must be awarded through contract to New Zealand organisations. However, research teams may involve European researchers where it can be demonstrated that their contribution is additional to expertise available in New Zealand, and necessary to achieve the project outcomes. This funding arrangement reflects the type of access that New Zealand researchers have to European funds through involvement in EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) projects.
Answer: There is no quota on participation of researchers from any organisation. The aim of the Sandpit is to start with a clean slate and bring together the best group of participants to think outside of the box, defining solutions from first principles, without being constrained by conventional thinking.
Researchers are invited into the Sandpit on the basis of their individual merit, rather than which agency they represent. The expectation is that all participants in the Sandpit are able to operate in the best interests of the research, rather than acting to protect the interests of their agencies.
Answer: There are four Research Investment Streams for HRC’s annual funding round:
- Health and Wellbeing in New Zealand (HW): Keeping populations healthy and independent throughout life.
- Improving Outcomes for Acute and Chronic Conditions in New Zealand (IOACC): Improving outcomes for people with illness or injury.
- New Zealand Health Delivery (NZHD): Improving health and disability service delivery outcomes over the short-to-medium term.
- Rangahau Hauora Māori (RHM): Supporting Māori health research that upholds rangatiratanga and utilises and advances Māori health knowledge, resources and people.
Investment Signals define the scope of the research sought in each stream, along with any particular research characteristics and priorities. They contain all the information used as the basis for assessment of applications. The signals and HRC guidelines place an emphasis on collaborative research, the potential for significant improvements in health outcomes and demonstrable advances in knowledge. Health research that seeks to reduce inequalities for those facing the greatest burden of disease is also prioritised.
Q15. What are the main roles in the Sandpit process?
Answer: The key roles are summarised below:
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Participants
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Participants in the Sandpit are selected on the basis of the skills and expertise they can offer. The range of participants can be extremely diverse and are expected to come from different science disciplines. It is their responsibility to contribute fully and constructively and this includes making hard decisions about prioritisation of ideas and funding allocations.
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Stakeholders
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People with real experience of the issue provide invaluable insight and a unique perspective. Their input and knowledge helps participants explore the issue and shape potential ideas.
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Director
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The director is fundamental to success. A director, from the end user, academic or business community, is appointed to each sandpit and it is their vision and leadership that shapes the process. During the sandpit, the director, with support from mentors and facilitators, needs to maintain the group's focus on the key aim and ensure the intensive environment remains constructive.
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Mentors
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A team of mentors work alongside the director in selecting the participants and providing objective advice, feedback and input at the sandpit. Selected for their knowledge and experience, their overall aim is to ensure the sandpit leads to high-quality innovative research. Like the director, mentors need the intellectual standing and impartiality to lead the group through this challenging experience.
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