New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships

(mana tūānuku can reference mid-career researchers further establishing themselves as research leaders)

Objective

The New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships will support mid-career researchers to firmly establish themselves as experts in their research domain and as leaders within the research landscape.

Description

Around ten New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships of four years in length will be awarded annually, for research in any field based in an Aotearoa New Zealand host organisation.

Eligibility

For the purposes of the New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships, a mid-career researcher is a researcher whose PhD was conferred more than six years and less than twelve years from the closing date for applications. The eligibility period for PhD conferral may be extended beyond twelve years under any of the following scenarios at the discretion of the Society:

• extended sickness leave
• part-time employment or career interruptions as a result of care giving responsibilities
• to account for work or service in the community or in industry
• as otherwise agreed by the Society.

Criteria

Applicants will be assessed on:

• calibre of the applicant as a research leader, which may include: 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 and community
• applicant track record and potential to establish, re-enter or progress their career in research relative to opportunity
• the clear articulation of a research plan with high likelihood to deliver research outcomes
• suitability of the host’s capability to support the Fellow (including cultural support and commitment to embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi) throughout the Fellowship.

Selection Process

The selection process will be determined by the Ministry in conjunction with the Society and will include suitability assessment conducted by an independent panel. A stratified selection ballot may be part of the selection process.

The selection process will aim to ensure that:

• around 20 per cent of fellowships are awarded to applicants who whakapapa Māori
• around 10 per cent of fellowships are awarded to applicants who identify as being of Pacific ethnicity
• around 50 per cent of fellowships are awarded to applicants who identify as female.

The selection process will be published by the Society when the Fellowship opens for applications.

Scheme Operation

Fellowships may be awarded between a 0.4 and 0.8 Full Time Equivalent basis as requested by the applicant at the time of application, unless otherwise agreed by the Society. The remainder of Fellows’ time may be used for other research, teaching and non-research related development opportunities.

The duration of the Fellowship will be four years. The Fellowship may be undertaken on a part-time basis to enable the Fellow to fulfil family and/or care responsibilities, including personal care, subject to agreement by the host and the Society, in which case the duration of the Fellowship may be extended up to a maximum of eight years.

The total value of the Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship is $1,160,000. The Fellowship will award per annum (excl. GST):

• $115,000 towards the researcher’s salary
• $115,000 in organisational overheads
• $60,000 for research-related expenses.

These amounts will be pro-rated depending on the agreed FTE basis of the Fellowship. By exception, with agreement of the applicant, the host and the Society, the contributions above may be shifted between the different components.

For further information please see the Tāwhia te Mana - General Terms of Reference.