Research grants

About SPARC Research Grants

SPARC is pleased to offer annual SPARC research grants for research projects in the sport and recreation sector.

Purpose

The purpose of the research grant fund is to:

1. Fund research that aligns with the strategic needs of SPARC and has the potential to inform SPARC policy and planning.
2. Fund research that contributes to the knowledge base of the sport and recreation sector.
3. Support and contribute to the development of the sport and recreation research sector.

Value of the research fund and research areas to be funded

SPARC research grants are available annually in November and each year SPARC will specify the research areas to be funded and the level of funding . The research areas and the value of funding may vary from year to year. SPARC will provide notification on the SPARC website and through other dissemination avenues (e.g. other relevant websites, research offices) 3-6 months prior to application closing date.

For more information on the research grant process and how to apply please refer to the call for applications.

Changes to the Research Grant Programme for 2009

In 2008 SPARC reviewed the Research Grants Programme to consider whether the original objectives of the programme and SPARC’s research needs and legislative obligations were being met. As a result of this review SPARC re-designed the Research Grant Programme to ensure a more co-ordinated, efficient and strategic approach to investing in sport and recreation research. The main changes to the Research Grant Programme are as follows:

• A focus on SPARC’s research needs. Previously the purpose of the grants was broad and included providing support for researchers, encourage research and capacity building, and to broadly align with SPARC priorities in no particular order of priority.  Now the primary purpose is clearly to fund research that aligns with the strategic needs of SPARC and has the potential to inform SPARC policy and planning. 
• SPARC will specify research themes (areas) to be funded 3-6 months prior to application closing date.
• The annual fund budget will increase from $200,000 to up to $250,000 with more substantial research projects of $15,000 or more being funded rather than small $2,500 to $25,000 grants as previously.
• There will be one funding round per year (November) rather than the previous two.
• The research fund will be open to all researchers academic, commercial or other.
• The application process has been simplified to reduce the administrative burden for SPARC and the applicants. This includes creating flexibility on what the grant covers, removing the separate contract phase, reducing the amount of paperwork required, and using a SPARC research and evaluation advisory group to assess applications.
• The final report will be provided in a format which can be used immediately by SPARC to inform policy and planning.

What does this mean for the sector?

The opportunity to obtain research funding will remain, but the process by which research is invested in has been modified to allow a more efficient, ‘best-spend’ approach. Clearly defined research themes will give researchers the opportunity to put forward proposals that specifically meet the strategic needs of SPARC and for the sport and recreation sector. This also will allow current and emerging researchers more opportunity to participate collaboratively in larger studies that have potentially greater ability to add to the sport and recreation sector evidence base, and to inform policy and planning.

How will the investment decision be made?

Each application will be assessed by the selection panel (SPARC research and evaluation advisory group). The advisory group is made up of representatives primarily from SPARC with research, evaluation, policy, and topic area expertise. The advisory group may also request representatives of other government agencies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutes and members of the sport and recreation sector to assess applications. External advice will be sought on a case-by-case basis depending on research themes specified by SPARC and applications received.

Each application will be assessed individually by members of the SPARC research and evaluation advisory group (and any external representatives) against the specified set of selection criteria. The research and evaluation advisory group will meet to review and rank all applications (taking into consideration any external representative assessment) and recommend applications for approval to SPARC senior management.

For further information or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact:

Neil Snowling
Senior Advisor, Research, Policy and Evaluation
SPARC
Tel: 04 472 8058 ext 3964
Email: neil.snowling@sparc.org.nz

Associated documents

• Notes for Research Grant Applicants 2009 (PDF, 300 KB)
• Research Grant Application Form 2009 (Word, 132 KB)
• Progress report template 2009 (Word, 308 KB)
• Final report template 2009 (Word, 52 KB)

Updated | 04 Aug 2009.

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