2024 New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship - Proposal guidelines for applicants

Application templates

2024 New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Proposal guidelines for applicants | Ngā aratohu mā ngā kaitono

Background to the Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships | He whakamārama mō Tāwhia te Mana

The Aotearoa New Zealand Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships are administered by Royal Society Te Apārangi on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (the Ministry).

The Fellowships will support researchers at different career stages to produce excellent and impactful research and to develop into leaders in their fields, their respective host organisations and across the whole of the Aotearoa New Zealand science, innovation and technology (SI&T) system. It is expected that Fellows, throughout their careers, will contribute to positive outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their work and their community.

Receipt of an Aotearoa New Zealand Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowship is expected to have significant value for the future career development and leadership potential of a researcher.

The Māori terms in the fellowship names reference the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s values, which includes Tāwhia tō Mana (building and retaining your reputation) as part of enabling the aspiration to “Hīkina Whakatutuki - Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for all”. Tāwhia te Mana Fellowships contribute to building excellence in the SI&T sector.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships consists of three schemes, targeted at early, mid- and established career researchers respectively. The three schemes are:

• New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
• New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
• New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship (discussed in these guidelines).

The schemes target excellent candidates at three career stages: early-career researchers/future leaders building the foundations of their career (mana tūāpapa); mid-career researchers, further establishing themselves as research leaders (mana tūānuku); and distinguished researchers with expansive career success and a prominent international reputation (mana tūārangi).

New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowships | Mana Tūārangi

The application guidelines below provide applicants with information on how to apply for the New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship. The fellowship targets distinguished researchers with expansive career success and a prominent international reputation (mana tūārangi)

Objectives | Ngā whāinga

The New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship will support researchers with expansive, international and transdisciplinary reputations to make contributions that will extend beyond their own career span.

All Aotearoa New Zealand Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships include the overriding objective to develop the future leaders of the Aotearoa New Zealand science, innovation and technology system, and:

• improve the retention of talented, future research leaders within the SI&T system, both during the fellowship and in their post-fellowship careers, through development of a strong track record
• support career development, to empower Fellows to become leaders in their fields, their organisations and across the SI&T system
• improve equity and diversity within the SI&T system, in particular by creating opportunities for Māori, Pacific peoples and women who are excellent leaders and future leaders of research
• reward and support a range of boundary-pushing research activities, including those that focus on generating impact from research.

Description | Whakamāramatanga

Two New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowships of between one and two years of length will be awarded annually.

Scheme operation | Whakahaere o te kaupapa

The total value of the Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship is $220,000. The funding is able to be used over a period of between one and two years, as indicated by the applicant at the time of application. Up to $100,000 per year can be taken as a contribution to the researchers’ salary, with the remaining amount to be used for research related expenses to deliver the research and benefit to the Aotearoa New Zealand SI&T system outlined in the application.

This study or research may be undertaken in a location and organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas, as agreed by the Fellow and the host organisation at the time of application.

Rules | Ngā ture

• A Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship applicant may not apply for another Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowship in the same funding round.
• A former successful applicant for a Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship may not apply for a second Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship.
• A previous holder of a James Cook Research Fellowship may not apply for a Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship.
• Successful applicants will commence their programme of research within twelve months of the award notification.
• Successful applicants may not engage in other professional employment during the Fellowship without prior approval by Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Applicant eligibility | Āheinga o te Kaitono

To be eligible applicants must:

• be either a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• have a PhD, or have completed all requirements for their PhD to be conferred at the time of application
• be supported by a New Zealand-based research organisation, with a supporting declaration that affirms that:
• The applicant satisfies the eligibility criteria
• The applicant has good potential to develop and progress their research career
• It will employ the applicant at least for the duration of the Fellowship
• It will facilitate the provision of support and facilities to enable the applicant to succeed in their Fellowship for the duration of the Fellowship.

Host eligibility | Āheinga o te kaitaurima

The host must be a New Zealand-based research organisation that can demonstrate it is capable and willing to provide support and facilities that will enable the applicant to succeed in their Fellowship.

The host cannot be a department of the public service as listed in Part 1 of the Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020.

Eligible hosts are research organisations based in New Zealand that meet the following definition: “An organisation that has sufficient internal capability for carrying out research, science or technology, or related activities in New Zealand”.

Additional requirement | Whakaritenga tāpiri

In accordance with the Russia Sanctions Act 2022 the applicant and their research must not benefit a Russian state institution (including but not limited to support for Russian military or security activity) or an organisation outside government that may be perceived as contributing to the war effort.

Research categories | Ngā wāhanga o ngā rangahau

Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowships are available from time to time in each of the following categories:

• Biological and Health Sciences
• Physical and Engineering sciences and Mathematics
• Social Sciences and Humanities
• Transdisciplinary Research.

These categories and the descriptions following each should be read to be inclusive rather than exclusive. The intention is for the four categories to cover all areas of research.

In the 2024 round, Royal Society Te Apārangi is offering Fellowships for:

• Physical and Engineering sciences and Mathematics.

Criteria | Paearu

Applicants will be assessed on:

• research quality (excellence in research)
• leadership quality (calibre of the applicant as a research leader, which may include their vision for their field of work, team leadership, knowledge transfer activity, entrepreneurial activity and how they will embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their research community)
• benefit to the wider New Zealand SI&T system (strengthening international or domestic research connections, mentoring and training of early career researchers and research students).

Selection process | Hātepe mō te tīpako

Royal Society Te Apārangi will establish an assessment panel, chaired by the President of Royal Society Te Apārangi, or their nominee. The panellists will cover a wide range of expertise relevant for the research category in a given year. The panel will provide recommendations on the relative merit of the proposals and recommend two applicants for funding each year. The panel will apply the selection criteria to assess both the applicant’s research career and the proposed project.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated a portfolio of outstanding research excellence, leadership, and benefits to the wider New Zealand SI&T system, while at the same time having proposed a project that further allow them to demonstrate and/or expand on their leadership and make long-lasting contributions.

For more information on the selection process, please refer to the “Guidelines for panellists” document.

Closing date

Applications and supporting information must be submitted to the Royal Society Te Apārangi on the online portal by the closing date of Thursday 25 July 2024 at 2pm (NZST).

Timetable | Wātaka

Additional information for applicants | Ētahi atu kōrero mā ngā kaitono

MBIE Open Research Policy

Royal Society Te Apārangi, as an administrator of Government research funding, has adopted the MBIE Open Research Policy. A condition of contract for successful proposals will therefore be that research outputs fully or partially arising from Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship funding must comply with the MBIE Open Research Policy.

Contact us

For any enquiries, please first seek clarification from your research office.

Please address enquiries by email to: tawhia@royalsociety.org.nz or phone: + 64 4 470 5764

Additional information on the Tāwhia te Mana Fellowships is available on our website.

Using the application portal | Te whakamahi i te tomokanga tono

This section contains guidance about what information is expected in each section of a Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship proposal.

Note: To apply for a Fellowship you must register with your selected host organisation, which will provide you with access to the Mana Tūārangi online application portal.

Please read all the application information before you start the process.

Application format | Hōputu Tono

Proposals must be submitted on the Royal Society Te Apārangi online application portal (see “Sign up to portal” below).

The online application consists of information entered directly into the portal in combination with the upload of specific templates and documents. The limit on space in all sections of the templates should be adhered to and the typeface should be 11 point, Times or similar type font, single spacing (11 point), with margins of 2 cm on the left and 2 cm on the right sides of the page. Instructions in italic may be removed, but not the margins. No additional pages or attachments will be accepted other than where requested or required.

The following is an overview of all the sections of the application, an explanation for each section, and information on how to enter the information on the online application portal.

Applying in te reo Māori

Applicants are welcome to submit some, or all, sections of their application in te reo Māori. As some panellists assessing their proposal may not be fluent in te reo Māori, an English translation of the section(s) will be necessary. To ensure the application is correctly interpreted, applicants are encouraged to provide an English translation for those sections in addition to their application in te reo Māori. If a translation is not provided by the applicant, Royal Society Te Apārangi will engage a third party accredited translation service to provide a translation, although, in this case, accuracy of the translation cannot be guaranteed. 

It is also acknowledged that expressing ideas and information in te reo Māori can require more words than English.  Therefore, the panel will accept an increase in word/page limit of approximately 30% for applications submitted in te reo Māori. This decision ultimately sits with the panel concerning necessary length, and appropriate outcome.

Sign up to the portal |Rēhita ki te tomokanga

Contact your research office in order to receive a link via email to the application portal. If your link does not arrive as expected, check your “junk” folder. If you have applied via this portal before (e.g., for the Prime Ministers Science Prize or Ngā Puanga Pūtaiao Fellowships), you will already have a profile. Please use this exiting Username and Password for your Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship application. Otherwise, you will need to sign up to the portal.

It is preferred that all applicants sign up by adding or creating an ORCID iD, but this is not mandatory. Alternatively, you can sign up using a number of options using i.e. TUAKIRI; Google or create a new account.

• To sign up with ORCID click the green “Sign up with ORCID iD” option and add your 16 digit ORCID iD and password.
• To create an ORCID iD click the green “Sign up with ORCID iD” option and follow the link “Don't have an ORCID iD yet? Register now” and follow the instructions.

Please continue to use the same logon for all interactions with Royal Society Te Apārangi portals.  Creating multiple user accounts will cause problems with your portal profile and records.

Personal profile

Every person (including applicants and referees) using the portal for the first time must create a profile and must input at a minimum of the following (some fields may be auto filled from nomination, please ensure these are accurate):

• Name
• Contact email address
• Primary place of employment or education
• Agree to the Privacy Statement
• Provide Protection Pattern settings.

Other questions that are asked for making a profile are optional and if you do not wish to answer then please press “next”. It is also possible to import the data for many of these sections from your ORCID profile if available.

Note: Royal Society Te Apārangi must ask to collect the Personal Profile information to be compliant with the New Zealand Research Information System (NZRIS).

Ethnicity and gender

One of the objectives of all Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowship schemes is to improve equity and diversity within the ST&I system, in particular by increasing opportunities for Māori, Pacific peoples and women. While supplying this profile information is entirely optional for applicants, please consider entering your gender and ethnicity information (particularly if you identify as a member of any of the priority groups), so that your application includes this information for the purposes of the selection. You are also able to indicate any iwi group(s) to which you identify.

For the purposes of these Fellowships, Pacific ethnicity is intended to take into consideration the complex configurations and multiple ethnic identities of Pacific Peoples and cultures. It is intended to be inclusive of people who affirm their identity as indigenous Pacific Peoples and those of Fijian Indian descent.

Privacy statement

You will need to read and agree to the “Privacy Statement” by ticking the check box.

Organisation affiliations (compulsory)

If you have received access to the portal via a research office nomination, this host will automatically be identified as your primary organisation. If it does not auto populate correctly you can enter your organisation manually.  Optionally you can add any other organisations that you are associated with. You are able to enter your position/job title and dates, please add a new entry for each organisation and role.

Career stages (optional)

Please select the research career stages that apply to you, and when you think they first applied. If not applicable or you do not wish to answer, please leave blank or select “Not Applicable”. This information is used for NZRIS reporting purposes only.

External IDs (optional)

Please enter any authenticated ORCID iD, Scopus ID, ResearcherID or other Identifier here.

Curriculum vitae (optional)

You are welcome to upload a copy of your CV here. Please note that this is separate from the Narrative CV that is required to be submitted for your application.

Academic record (optional)

Please enter your qualifications and course of study.

For applicants, please enter the details of your PhD Qualification including the date that your PhD was conferred under “Academic records”. If you degree has not yet been conferred, enter the date you expect to graduate in the future (if known).

Prizes and/or medals (optional)

Please enter information about any prizes or medals you may have won.

Professional bodies (optional)

You can enter any professional bodies that you belong to.

Protection pattern (compulsory)

You control how your information can be used by specifying the protection to be applied to your data. By default, your demographic details (gender) and birth date are kept private. For the purposes of the Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship, demographics data on gender and ethnicity will be used to fulfil the Fellowships equity and diversity requirement as explained under “Objective” and “Selection Process” of the Terms of Reference. The data will additionally be used for statistical purposes to monitor the profile of different groups of applicants and identify funding trends and gaps.

If you are comfortable with sharing other demographic information with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, you may do so by de-selecting the tick box for the protection you wish to relax, or by toggling “no protection needed”.

Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship application | Tono ki te Mana Tūārangi

Once all of the steps to obtain a profile have been completed, you will then be able to click on “Start Application” to progress to the application for a Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship. You can also Start or continue applications via the “Home” tab in the portal.

To ensure the application process goes smoothly, we recommend that you click “Save” regularly as you complete the application form. You will need to click “Edit” after saving to continue your application.

Applicant

Some of the applicant data will be pulled from your profile. Please ensure that all required fields (marked*) are correct and complete, including Postal address, City and Postcode.

Categories

The collection of this data is for the purpose of our reporting obligations to NZRIS, for statistical purposes to track application numbers and success across different fields of research, and to provide information to the selection panel for the assessment of your proposal.

Type of activities

The four activities are:

• Pure basic research (default setting): is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge without looking for long term benefits other than the advancement of knowledge.
• Strategic basic research: is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge directed into specified broad areas in the expectation of practical discoveries. It provides the broad base of knowledge necessary for the solution of recognised practical problems.
• Applied research: is original work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge with a specific application in view. It is undertaken either to determine possible uses for the findings of basic research or to determine new ways of achieving some specific and predetermined objectives.
• Experimental development: is systematic work, using existing knowledge gained from research or practical experience, which is directed to producing new materials, products, devices, policies, behaviours or outlooks; to installing new processes, systems and services; or to improving substantially those already produced or installed.

Socio-economic objectives (SEO)

The Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) and SEO classification allow Research and Development (R&D) activity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to be categorised according to the intended purpose or outcome of the research rather than the processes or techniques used in order to achieve this objective. The purpose categories include processes, products, health, education and other social and environmental aspects in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand that R&D activity aims to improve. Please enter up to FIVE codes from the drop-down field, using codes that are as specific as possible. For a list of codes, please refer to the Socio-Economic Objectives Calculator at: https://royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/research-practice/socio-economic-objectives-calculator/

As part of our NZRIS obligations, we will be required to report the share of each SEO code to the proposed research. Please indicate the % share of each SEO code to the proposed research. The shares should add up to 100%.

Fields of research (FOR)

The FOR classification allows R&D activity to be categorised according to the field of research. In this respect, it is the methodology used in the R&D that is being considered. Please enter a minimum of THREE and up to FIVE codes from the list of research codes supplied in “Fields of Research Classification Codes” here. For a list of codes, please refer to the Field of Research Calculator at: https://royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/research-practice/field-of-research-calculator/. Please use codes that are as specific as possible, i.e. 6 digits.

As part of our NZRIS obligations, we will be required to report the share of each FOR code to the proposed research. Please indicate the % share of each FOR code to the proposed research. The shares should add up to 100%.

Vision Mātauranga themes

Vision Mātauranga is a policy about innovation, opportunity and the creation of knowledge that highlights the potential contribution of Māori knowledge, resources and people.

Applicants should identify which, if any, of the four Vision Mātauranga themes below are associated with the proposed research. A Vision Mātauranga theme must be included for all research that has relevance for Māori. The panel has an expectation for applicants to address Vision Mātauranga where applicable. If this is not applicable to your proposed research, you should tick N/A, and provide a justifiable rationale for your decision.

The four themes are:

• Indigenous Innovation, which involves contributing to economic growth through distinctive research and development
• Taiao, which is concerned with achieving environmental sustainability through iwi and hapū relationships with land and sea
• Hauora/Oranga, which centres around improving health and social wellbeing
• Mātauranga, which involves exploring indigenous knowledge.

Collection of the % of the research that aligns to each Vision Mātauranga theme will form part of our reporting obligations for NZRIS. If you have identified one or more Vision Mātauranga theme(s), please consider each theme one at a time. Indicate the proportion of the proposed research that aligns with that theme. Note that it is possible for the combined total to be over 100% (for example, if the proposed research is entirely Mātauranga and also has a Hauora/Oranga theme, the contributions could be 100% and 10% respectively).

Please note that the percentages do not form part of the assessment criteria and are solely for NZRIS reporting purposes.

For more information on engagement with the Vision Mātauranga Policy see Appendix I.

Summary and forms

Title of proposed research

Please provide a title that describes the nature of your proposed programme of research. Keep the title brief and to the point. It may be used for reporting and public information.

Summary

Please provide a summary of the planned project suitable for a lay audience with some limited science knowledge, and using a maximum of 300 words. It may be used for reporting and public information. Note that this information will be uploaded to the Royal Society Te Apārangi website if the application is successful.

Curriculum vitae: Narrative CV

Applications for a Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship must be supported by a Narrative CV using a maximum of FOUR pages.

Please use the template provided which is based on the Endeavor Fund Narrative CV with minor amendments to align the template with the requirements of the Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship. Further information on Narrative CVs including examples and a webinar can be found on the MBIE website. Note that the CV template for Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowships uses a smaller 11 point font than the MBIE template to provide a consistent font size across the application. This accounts for the reduced 4 page limit.

Application form: Leadership statement form

To assist the panel in assessing the calibre of the applicant as a research leader, and their benefits to wider New Zealand SI&T system, using only ONE page, please use this page to further expand on areas that you have not been able to address in the CV or project description. The panel will be able to assess your past leadership experience from your narrative CV, so this section could be more future focussed.

You may wish to discuss other leadership as relevant, including but not limited to: Your vision for your field of work (research, community and/or industry); team leadership; knowledge transfer activities, entrepreneurial activity and how you will embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in your research and community. You can also discuss benefits to the wider New Zealand SI&T system, including but not limited to: Strengthening of international or domestic research connections and mentoring; Training of early career researchers and research students, and/or other ways you intend to create impact from your proposed project.

Application form: Proposed project form

• If no Vision Mātauranga theme is identified for this application, the TOTAL page limit for this section is THREE pages, with no set limit for each section within this. You may delete the Vision Mātauranga section from the template.
• If one or more Vision Mātauranga theme is identified for this application, the TOTAL page limit is FOUR pages, with no set limit for each section within this.

This gives applicants an opportunity to more easily integrate Vision Mātauranga into the conceptual framework and/or research design of the proposed programme, for example, demonstration of consultation, linkages, outcomes or other relevant information. Alternatively, applicants may choose to gather all relevant Vision Mātauranga information under the separate Vision Mātauranga heading, or use any combination of information across the various sections of the template. For more information on Vision Mātauranga, see Appendix I.

NOTE: the additional space of up to one page provided for proposals aligned with a Vision Mātauranga theme is solely for providing additional information related to Vision Mātauranga. Applications that fill this space with information that is not relevant to Vision Mātauranga will be assessed less favourably than applications that fulfil the intent of the extra space.

The Proposed project Template has four headings. It is up to the applicant to decide on how much space to allocate to each section. Please read the definitions of these sections clearly and avoid repetition.

Background

Please use this section to give an overview of the design and rationale of the proposed project, and indicate how it relates to work already done, by yourself and/or others, in this field. This section should give a context for the proposal by summarising in plain language the state of knowledge in the field.

Project

Use this section to state your plan to deliver the proposed objectives or aims. This includes a description of the methods, timetable, data sources, and how you plan to transfer the knowledge gained from your work.

Vision Mātauranga

As noted above, applicants may integrate Vision Mātauranga into the conceptual framework and/or project design of the Proposed work above, e.g., demonstration of consultation, linkages, outcomes or other relevant information. Alternatively, applicants may choose to gather all relevant Vision Mātauranga information under this separate heading, or use any combination thereof.

References

It is important to support the Project Plan by means of references. Please ensure that these are not restricted to your own work. Please also ensure that the references have been published, to ensure that they are readily accessible when the proposal is being assessed. Authors must verify all references.

• The list can be in 10-point font size.
• Start each reference on a new line (numbering is optional).
• For three or more authors, list the first three names followed by “et al.”
• Ensure you include the journal name (abbreviated if desired), year of publication, volume number and page numbers.
• If you wish, you can bold your own references.

Budget

Download the Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship budget spreadsheet template.

A maximum of $100,000 per year can be taken as a contribution to the Fellow’s salary. Otherwise, the funding can be used as requested by the Fellow for research related expenses to deliver the research and benefit to the Aotearoa New Zealand SI&T system outlined in the application.

If Masters students are supported by Fellowship funding, they must be supported at the fixed rate of $22,000 scholarship plus fees (Aotearoa New Zealand resident rates) for one year. Fees should be included in the direct costs. PhD scholarships cannot be supported by the Fellowship.

If the proposal is aligned with Vision Mātauranga themes, consider costs associated with capability development and engagement within the budget.

Capital purchases under $5,000 are permissible. This does not mean that equipment, such as a spectrometer, can be divided into separate components all less than $5,000 each. Details of expendables should be given on the Direct costs worksheet. Please give details of major working expenses.

For Royal Society Te Apārangi to be able to fulfil our reporting obligations to MBIE, use the budget to demonstrate how the funding will be used. This includes an FTE contribution for personnel (including the Fellow) with salary supported from Fellowship funding.

Application form: Translation

If you have completed any or all sections of your application in te reo Māori, and wish to submit an English translation, please upload a concatenated document of any translated sections here.

Document: Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Residency

Proof of citizenship or copy of a permanent resident visa must be scanned and uploaded to the application portal. Original or certified copies of the documents may be requested by Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Document: PhD certificate or completion of requirements

PhD certificate or other evidence must be scanned and uploaded to the application portal demonstrating the date your PhD was conferred. Original or certified copies of the documents may be requested by Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Document: Declaration

A declaration form signed by you, and a duly authorised agent at the host organisation confirming that the proposed host organisation supports the application, and that the applicant is eligible (see Eligibility section).

Referees

To support the panel decision, we ask applicants to solicit two referee reports to support their proposal. The panel will be unable to fairly and equitably compare your application to others if it does not have a full complement of two referee reports. You will therefore be required to secure two referee to support your application by the closing date of Wednesday 21 August 2024 at 2pm (NZST).

Where relevant, you may choose to have one referee comment on other aspects important for your career as a researcher, e.g. working with communities, stakeholder relationships, demonstration of leadership, research service or any other aspects you see relevant.

Referees are asked to comment on applicants’ research excellence, leadership, benefits to wider New Zealand SI&T system, the proposed project or any other aspects they would like to comment on. Last but not least, the referees are asked in what capacity they know the applicant. For more information about the referee reports and the questions we ask referees, please see “Guidelines for Referees”.

Referee reports will be treated as confidential by Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Conflicts of Interest

We want to make sure that there is a practically and procedurally fair process to apply to Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship. Therefore, we will aim to take into account real and perceived conflicts of interest between applicants, referees and panel members along the application and assessment process.

Referees should not have a direct conflict of interest with the applicant, i.e. they should not hold a line of management role over the applicant at the proposed host organisation, and they should not be directly involved in the applicant’s proposed research, as funding of the application would be seen to benefit the referee. It is recommended to use referees you have not co-published with within the last 5 years

It is expected and acknowledged that each participant in the application and assessment process will have a range of outside interests and obligations. We also imagine you will likely have wide-ranging whakapapa and whanaunga relationships across Aotearoa and the rest of the Pacific due to whānau, iwi, hapū, motu/island, community and research sector ties. We believe that the best approach to deal with potential conflicts of interest is:

• for some relationships to be generally considered conflicted
• to clearly outline, and declare, a perceived conflict as it arises
• for all participants to be flexible in navigating potential conflicts
• for a clear record of the nature of any perceived conflict and the action taken in accounting for this to be noted/documented.

For the purposes of Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship applications, a referee is generally deemed to be conflicted if:

• they are a panel member in the current funding round
• they are the applicant’s parent, sibling or child
• they have a low level of comfort assessing the application due to their relationship with the applicant.

Entering referees into the portal

It is recommended that you first ensure your proposed referees are willing to provide the Royal Society Te Apārangi with a referee report before the referee report closing date listed in the timeline.

All referees listed by the applicant in their application by the application closing date, will be emailed by Royal Society Te Apārangi after the application closing date. This is the only time we will email referees on behalf of the applicant. The referee email invite contains a URL link to a separate online portal to be used for referees to upload their reports.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your referees complete their report on the portal no later than the closing date for referee reports. To be eligible for a Fellowship, a complete set of referee reports must be received by Royal Society Te Apārangi by the deadline for referee reports stated in the time timetable.

To ensure this happens, it is prudent for you to check that the referee has received the invitation to review your application and the URL link. Occasionally, the email that is automatically generated it is inadvertently identified as spam and ends up in a “junk” folder. If a referee does not receive their URL, please ask them to check their “junk” folder or contact tawhia@royalsociety.org.nz.

You can check if Royal Society Te Apārangi has received each of the applicant-solicited referee reports by logging in to the application portal and go to the Referee section. An envelope symbol in the Status section indicates an email has been sent, and a tick symbol indicates the referee report has been received.

Adding additional referees

Although past experience has shown that most referees only complete their reports in the last few days, it may be wise for applicants to contact their referees and confirm that a report is still expected.

If an applicant is concerned that one of their referees will not complete a report in time, they do have the option of approaching an alternative referee. However, do note that Royal Society Te Apārangi will only accept the first two reports received.

To add additional referees, applicants can log on to the portal and add contact details for additional referees. Once their details are entered in the portal, using the “Submit” button to send the referee the appropriate information. Again, it is advised that the applicant check that the referees have received the invitation to review their application after the email request has been sent from the web-based portal.

At the deadline for referee reports, applicants are given a 24-hour period to solicit any missing or new referee reports needed to obtain two referee reports.

Terms and conditions

Please read and tick the check box to confirm you accept the Terms and Conditions.

Submitting your application

Once you are happy with your application, click “Submit”. This flags to your research office that the proposal has been completed and can be released to Royal Society Te Apārangi. If you need to make changes to your application after you have marked it as completed, you must confer with your research office.

Appendix I: Vision Mātauranga | Āpitihanga I: Vision Mātauranga

Vision Mātauranga is a policy about innovation, opportunity and the creation of knowledge that highlights the potential contribution of Māori knowledge, resources and people.

The four themes are:

• Indigenous Innovation, which involves contributing to economic growth through distinctive research and development
• Taiao, which is concerned with achieving environmental sustainability through iwi and hapū relationships with land and sea
• Hauora/Oranga, which centres around improving health and social wellbeing
• Mātauranga, which involves exploring indigenous knowledge.

How do I decide whether Vision Mātauranga applies to my proposed research?

The five ways of conceptualising Vision Mātauranga in your research (see below) may help you decide if this applies to your project. The categories have been adapted from those on the National Science Challenge, Biological Heritage website https://bioheritage.nz/about-us/vision-matauranga/ hosted by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Please note, however, that these categories are fluid. There may well be overlap between them in terms of the nature and degree of relevance to Māori, and not every point in each category need apply. The original categories were set out by MBIE in information for the Endeavour Fund c. 2015.

Ways of conceptualising Vision Mātauranga in your research

Research with no specific Māori component

• No mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) is used.
• Māori are not associated with the research process (e.g. not on any research management / advisory / governance panels, it is not inclusive of Māori land or institutions, nor the subject of any component of the research).
• Work is not likely to be of greater direct relevance to Māori than members of any other group.

Research specifically relevant to Māori

• There is specific relevance to Māori.
• Mātauranga Māori may be used in a minor way to guide the work and its relevance to Māori.
• It includes work that contributes to Māori aspirations and outcomes.

Research involving Māori

• Mātauranga Māori may be incorporated in the project, but is not central to the project.
• Research is specifically and directly relevant to Māori and Māori are involved in the design and/or undertaking of the research.
• The work typically contributes to Māori (e.g., iwi / hapū, organisations) aspirations and outcomes.

Māori-centred research

• The project is Māori led, and where Mātauranga Māori is used alongside other knowledges (e.g. through frameworks, models, methods, tools, etc…).
• Kaupapa Māori research is a key focus of the project.
• Research is typically collaborative or consultative, with direct input from Māori stakeholders.
• There is alignment with and contribution to Māori (e.g., iwi / hapū, organisations) aspirations.

Kaupapa Māori research

• Mātauranga Māori is incorporated, used and understood, as a central focus of project and its findings.
• Research is grounded in te ao Māori and connected to Māori philosophies and principles.
• Research typically uses kaupapa Māori research methodologies.
• Te reo Māori may be a central feature to this kaupapa or research activity, and the applicant has medium to high cultural fluency or knowledge of tikanga and reo.
• The research is generally led by a Māori researcher; non-Indigenous researchers may carry out research under the guidance/mentoring of a Māori researcher.
• Māori participation (iwi/hapū/marae/individual) is high.
• The work contributes strongly to Māori (e.g., iwi/hapū, organisations) aspirations and outcomes and is mana enhancing.

Developing a Vision Mātauranga statement

The Vision Mātauranga statement can be integrated into your proposed research or provided as a separate statement.

It is important to keep in mind that there is no single approach or prescription for Vision Mātauranga: one size does not fit all and there are many possible ways of addressing Vision Mātauranga. Vision Mātauranga should not, however, be seen as an add-on, nor should it be treated as separate from the research, methods or people involved in the project. A holistic approach that considers reciprocity and relationships is therefore desirable. It is also essential that any costs associated with Vision Mātauranga capability development and engagement are accounted for in the budget.

Vision Mātauranga does not begin and end with your Vision Mātauranga statement. You should document how you have considered Vision Mātauranga and demonstrate applicable actions and relationships throughout the research. The following questions may be useful to consider when conceptualising and writing your project:

• Have you co-created the research topic/issue with an iwi or Māori organisation?
• What does working in partnership with iwi mean to you as a researcher?
• To what extent have you discussed the research with Māori stakeholders and agreed on the methodology you will use?
• Was there full disclosure and informed consent to the proposed research with Māori stakeholders? How has that agreement/informed consent been agreed to?
• Has the budget been disclosed and agreed to with Māori partners? Is there provision in that budget for Māori involvement, capability development and consultation?
• What provisions have you made to ensure there is appropriate technology transfer to Māori stakeholders as the research proceeds and as findings become available towards the end of the project?
• Are there benefits to Māori? What are they? And how have these been agreed with Māori partners?
• How is the project an opportunity to build the capacity of Māori researchers or students in your discipline?
• How will you share the research outcomes with Māori?
• Has there been agreement about the intellectual property ownership of research findings with Māori partners? What is the nature of that agreement?
• Is there a need for members of the research team to be proficient in te reo Māori? How has this aspect been addressed?
• Is there a Tiriti o Waitangi component or requirement in your research?
• Is the research mana enhancing?

Vision Mātauranga resources

Below you will find a non-exhaustive list of published resources that describe, discuss, and talk about how researchers have engaged with Vision Mātauranga and kaupapa Māori research. These range from early conceptions of Vision Mātauranga to more recent frameworks. The resources underscore the diverse ways Vision Mātauranga may be approached across disciplines and methodologies.

For a glossary provided to panellists and referees of commonly used Māori concepts, words and phrases commonly seen in Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship proposals, please see Appendix II.

Allen, W., Jamie M. Ataria, J. M., Apgar, J. M., Harmsworth, G., and Tremblay, L. A. (2009). Kia pono te mahi putaiao—doing science in the right spirit. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 39:4, 239-242. DOI: 10.1080/03014220909510588

Crawford, S. (2009). Matauranga Maori and western science: The importance of hypotheses, predictions and protocols, Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 39:4, 163-166. DOI: 10.1080/03014220909510571

Broughton, D. (Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Taranaki, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), and McBreen, K. (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāi Tahu). (2015). Mātauranga Māori, tino rangatiratanga and the future of New Zealand science. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 45:2, 83-88.DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2015.1011171

Kana, F. and Tamatea, K. (2006). Sharing, listening, learning and developing understandings of Kaupapa Māori research by engaging with two Māori communities involved in education. Waikato Journal of Education, 12, 9-20. https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/6198/Kana%20Sharing.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y

Macfarlane, S., Macfarlane, A. and Gillon, G. (2015) Sharing the food baskets of knowledge: Creating space for a blending of streams. In A. Macfarlane, S. Macfarlane, M. Webber, (eds.), Sociocultural realities: Exploring new horizons. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press, 52-67.

Moewaka Barnes, H. (2006). Transforming Science: How our Structures Limit Innovation. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand Te Puna Whakaaro, 29, 1-16. https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/journals-and-magazines/social-policy-journal/spj29/29-pages-1-16.pdf

Pihama, L., Tiakiwai, S.-J., and Southey, K. (eds.). (2015). Kaupapa rangahau: A reader. A collection of readings from the Kaupapa Rangahau workshops series. (2nd ed.). Hamilton, New Zealand: Te Kotahi Research Institute. https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/11738/Kaupapa%20Rangahau%20-%20A%20Reader_2nd%20Edition.pdf?sequence=7&isAllowed=y

Smith, L. T., Maxwell, T. K., Puke, H., and Temara, P. (2016). Indigenous knowledge, methodology and mayhem: What is the role of methodology in producing indigenous insights? A discussion from Mātauranga Māori. Knowledge Cultures, 4(3), 131–156. https://addletonacademicpublishers.com/component/content/article?id=2834:feature-article-indigenous-knowledge-methodology-and-mayhem-what-is-the-role-of-methodology-in-producing-indigenous-insights-a-discussion-from-matauranga-maori

Appendix II: Glossary of te reo Māori terms | Āpitihanga II: Papakupu o ngā kupu reo Māori

Definitions taken from maoridictionary.co.nz

Ka mihi ki a Ahorangi Angus Macfarlane, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, mō tēnei. With thanks to Professor Angus Macfarlane, University of Canterbury, for his input.