Families Commission Research Fund

Media release
4 April 2007

Families Commission Research Fund

The Families Commission has just launched a substantial research fund for projects that are likely to produce information that will make a difference for families.

The new Families Commission Research Fund will disburse up to a million dollars worth of grants each year.

“This is a significant fund and we expect it to attract applications from a wide range of researchers who will be approaching family issues from a variety of perspectives,” said Chief Commissioner Rajen Prasad.

“Sound, relevant research is essential to inform the work of policy makers and service providers, as well as providing quality information for families.”

“By providing evidence-based information on current family issues we can build up a broad body of knowledge that supports the Commission’s role as an advocate for the interests of families,” he said.

There will be two funding rounds for the new fund in May and November of each year. A number of topics and themes for research have been developed that will be significant for New Zealand families and policy for families. Proposals are invited on the themes of family friendly environments, fathering, intergenerational transmission, family assets, the impact of climate change on families and families benefiting communities.

Projects funded by the fund may run for up to two years, although this may be increased once the fund is well established. The Commission intends to fund a mix of differently sized projects with some in the $5,000–$75,000 range and a limited number over $75,000.

The Commission’s two smaller research funds, Blue Skies and Innovative Practice, are well established and have proved highly successful. Both funds are aimed at relatively small, and in the case of Blue Skies, short-term pieces of research.

The new fund has been set up to allow for larger and longer-term substantial research in areas of importance for families that would not otherwise be funded as part of the Commission’s core work programme.

For more information on research funding visit www.nzfamilies.org.nz

ENDS

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