An objective of the NZRA is to encourage research in rheumatic diseases.

If researchers wish to partner with the NZRA in rheumatology research, please contact Chair of the NZRA Grant Committee for further information: grants@rheumatology.org.nz.

For research that involves surveying NZRA members, the following information is required:

1. Contact details of study Principal Investigator
2. Lay summary of study
3. Documentation of ethical approval
4. At the end of the study, a study report should be sent to the NZRA secretary for dissemination to the NZRA membership.

For research that involves recruitment of patients through NZRA members, the following information is required:

1. Contact details of study Principal Investigator
2. Lay summary of study
3. Documentation of ethical approval by a New Zealand ethics committee
4. Confirmation that all locality and other regulatory approvals will be obtained prior to study initiation at each
5. study site in New Zealand
6. At the end of the study, a study report should be sent to the NZRA secretary for dissemination to the NZRA membership.

Grants

Each year, a limited number of research grants are available from the NZRA. Typically, no more than $50,000 in total is available, but this depends on the financial position of the Association and may change from year to year.

Any member (specialist, trainee, associate, life) of the NZRA who has New Zealand residency status is eligible to apply for these Grants.

Applications are due by the beginning of August each year and should be submitted to the Grants Committee by email to grants@rheumatology.org.nz. The Grants Committee will make a recommendation to the NZRA Executive Committee, who are responsible for the final decision. Applications will be mainly assessed under three criteria: significance of the research question, scientific rigor of the proposed research plan and the track-record of the applicant. Usually, the decision will be available in time for the NZRA Annual General Meeting in early September.