SHOW ME THE MONEY!
Accessing research funding
as an allied health researcher in Canberra
Bernie Bissett
Senior Physiotherapist
Acute Support Physiotherapy
Canberra Hospital
& Clinical Assistant Professor
Discipline of Physiotherapy
University of Canberra
Acknowledgement:
Dr Sue Berney
Senior Physiotherapist
Austin Health Melbourne
Research Funding
• No dedicated Allied Health research positions
in ACT Health
• Need to provide a high quality clinical service
• Costs of research
–
–
–
–
–
Equipment
Measurement Tools (eg SF-36)
Staffing
Publication costs
Data analysis
Research Funding Pressures
Research Funding for Allied Health?
Riding the Coat Tails
Successful funding 2007 - 2014
•
•
•
•
•
Auxiliary Research Grant (TCH)
Private Practice Fund (TCH)
Chief Allied Health Office
University of Canberra
Chief Allied Health Office
$5000
$48 800
$504
$ 11 000
$4996
(2008)
(2010)
(2013)
(2013)
(2014)
Writing a grant application
• Do your homework
– Forms, deadlines, signatures
• Read the criteria!
– What are they looking for? Agendas . . .
– Address the SPECIFIC criteria concisely
• Find someone who has had success with that funding body
previously – read theirs for flavour
• Edit and re-edit carefully (proof)
• Exploit the coat tails . . .
Canberra Hospital
Private Practice Fund
• 16 page application
• Major Grants > $40 000
• Minor Grants < $40 000
• Once per year
• Preference for medical staff (collaborate!)
• Mixed success
Chief Allied Health Office
• 6 page application 
• Allied health specific research
grants up to $5000 offered in
2014
• Preference for interdisciplinary
projects
• Broad spectrum of research
activity supported
University Grants
• Collaboration with Academic Staff
• Consider enrolling! Masters in Research, PhD
Foundations
Not For Profit Organisations
ourcommunity.com.au
– great site for grant advice & links to NFP organisations
Grant Rejection
•
•
•
•
Feedback – how to improve for next time
Opportunity for developing skills
Try another avenue
Recycle!
Have a go . . . And play a long game
Research Funding Questions
Bernie.Bissett@act.gov.au