The Translational Research Grants Scheme provides grants to staff within NSW local health districts, the Ambulance Service of NSW, specialty health networks and NSW Health Pathology. The focus is on research questions that will translate into practice change that will directly impact on patient and/or population health outcomes.

Applicants are encouraged to partner with other organisations such as universities and medical research institutes; however research projects must be led by an employee of a host organisation within the health system. To strengthen partnerships and collaboration across the health service, a contact person within each LHD, Pillar and Ministry of Health policy branch is provided in the Guidelines for TRGS applicants.

In the second round $12.8 million will be available; allocated over a two year period.

Following Round 1 the Project Executive and Selection Panel made recommendations for changes to the Round 2. The proposed changes have been incorporated into the revised Guidelines for Applicants, Expression of Interest and Full Application forms.

To increase the capacity of LHDs to align appropriate research methodologies with the research question, the Sax Institute has developed a Translational Research Framework. This Framework will assist LHDs to place their projects on a continuum from innovation testing through to system wide implementation, to identify the relevant research questions for the stage of development and to select the appropriate research designs.

The guidelines provide clear intentions of the program. This will guide to LHDs during their pre-submission assessments of applications.

Research Priorities have changed from Round 1 (refer to EOI)

A new Alcohol and other Drugs Early Intervention Innovation Fund (TRGS AOD) is simultaneously open for applications. While Alcohol and other Drugs continues to be one of the priorities under TRGS Round 2, TRGS AOD invites non-government organisations and host organisations to participate in the new program.

Information sessions by operator-assisted teleconference have been arranged for the dates below. Please register your interest and availability to dial into one of the sessions below by emailing TRGS@doh.health.nsw.gov.au. You can also forward questions ahead of time to the same email address.

In Round 2 the assistance to applicants will be primarily through information sessions and online publication of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or responses to emailed questions which will be discussed at the information sessions and added to FAQS. In circumstances where the project is identified by reviewers as a high priority project, assistance may be provided to help refine the EOI for Full Application.

Host organisations are expected to conduct internal preliminary assessments to ensure that the submitted applications align with the purpose, objectives and intents of TRGS. The total number of applications that can be submitted by a Host organisation is capped at 30.

I strongly encourage you to identify relevant partners who will be actively involved in the delivery of the project/s and implementation of the outcomes. Partnerships can be internal to your organisation, across LHDs or with organisations including universities, medical research institutes, non-government organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and primary healthcare networks.

In the meantime, feel free to contact me directly.

Regards

Dr Kerry Chant PSM
Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary | Population and Public Health
Level 11, 73 Miller Street, North Sydney 2060
Tel 02 9391 9185 | kecha@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
www.health.nsw.gov.au