Grants program expressions of interest

What we fund

Every year, the Bupa Health Foundation looks to fund new initiatives that provide a clear benefit to the Australian community. This year, the Foundation is inviting expressions of interest for funding in the key strategic areas of:

• wellbeing
• chronic disease
• healthy ageing
• empowering people about their health, and
• promoting affordable healthcare

Our funding objectives

The Foundation's activities fall within the charitable objectives set out in its constitution and charter, which are to promote:

• health research (into the outcomes, information, policy and financing of health)
• health education
• programs for leading healthy lives

We take a partnership approach to all investments. We aim to fund initiatives from $100,000 to $500,000 for up to three years to improve health outcomes for all Australians.

Who can apply?

To apply for Foundation funding, your organisation must be one of the following:

• University or Research Institute - including universities and independent organisations that have the requisite capabilities and responsibility to undertake research programs. Individual researchers are encouraged to submit their application through an appropriate institutional research office.
• Other organisations - including charitable and not-for-profit organisations, community groups, incorporated associations (community or industry), co-operatives and companies limited by guarantee.

Funding is usually only open to Australian organisations but we will consider applications from overseas organisations.

Assessment criteria

Each expression of interest will be assessed by the Foundation's review panel (with the assistance of relevant third party experts where required). The panel will firstly assess your application to ensure you meet the following threshold criteria.

• Does the application meet the Foundation's objectives to promote health research, health education and programs for leading healthier lives?
• Does the proposal fall within the key focus areas of wellbeing, chronic disease, healthy ageing, empowering people about their health and promoting affordable healthcare?
• Has the Foundation already funded a similar project?
• Is this proposal similar to existing research?

The proposal will then be assessed against the following variable requirements:

Will it have a direct impact on health outcomes or healthcare costs? 

• show evidence of the program’s effectiveness and costs with details of search terms and databases sourced
• ensure the research question is clearly articulated together with the estimated impact
• include the number of people impacted/level of exposure
• align with national health priority areas and Bupa Health Foundation's objectives
• demonstrate the link between intervention/program and outcome is plausible
• ensure healthcare costs are realistic and/or based on Australian data

Timing of delivery of results

• include details of trial completion dates and publication/dissemination
• show timelines that are appropriate in terms of recruitment targets and allow reasonable periods of time to seek necessary approvals (eg ethics)
• take account of the completion of other trials in the area/field
• include a program for the publication of results and findings
• opportunities to work with the Foundation to leverage results

Justification of funding

• provide a clear cost breakdown of components making up the total initiative
• declare all financial investments/organisations and/or expressions of interest
• ensure that the bulk of funding is put into research rather than infrastructure
• keep staff costs and costs associated with data collection in line with established pay scales
• detail the applicant's own commitment, other funding partners, collaborators and contributions to date

Impact on the health system

• how will the initiative contribute to the health of the Australian community?
• will the initiative have an indirect impact on the health system by highlighting problems and igniting debate?
• does it suggest possible solutions, especially in terms of future health costs, rather than simply analysing the problems?
• Contribution to existing health policy debate
• is it a relevant area of research in the current environment?
• does it focus on the future of the private healthcare sector, rather than the public system or mixed system?

Study or program design

• provide a comprehensive description of the intervention/program/initiative
• include sample size calculations with an appropriate adjustment for drop-outs and/or non-compliance
• outline the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the study outlined
• describe the recruitment process
• answer the question being posed reasonably through study design and methodology
• include the level of evidence the study will deliver eg level I (high quality) or IV (low quality)
• detail how this level of evidence compares to existing evidence in the field. For example, a case series (low quality) will not contribute to the debate if evidence in the field is often high quality in the form of randomised controlled trials

Reputation of organisation

• disclose other partners, collaborators and funders etc.
• detail Bupa Health Foundation's past dealings with the institution/individual/organisation (if applicable)
• include qualifications and/or affiliations of institution/individual/organisation. Considerations should extend beyond the Chief Investigator to associate investigators and their current employment
• detail consultancy experience
• journal the impact of and/or debate following publication
• identify health leadership including education and training
• highlight international relationships

Merit ranking

Each application is given an overall merit ranking that takes into consideration the threshold and variable requirements. This ranking will also consider whether the initiative is regionally or nationally based.

Decisions on funding

The Bupa Health Foundation board of directors to decide which projects receive funding. Our commitment is to projects that fall within the Foundation's objectives and agreed strategy. See our Frequently Asked Questions for further information.

Expression of Interest process of funding

Decisions about which initiatives receive funding rest with the Bupa Health Foundation Board of Directors. The Board must be satisfied that the project falls within the Foundation's objectives and with the agreed strategy for the Foundation.

Apply now

Please complete all the information in the application form ensuring the following:

• Maintain the application form's font and format.
• Do not include any attachments.
• Do not send the application form as a PDF document.

Applications should be submitted electronically to foundation@bupa.com.au. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Please review our Frequently Asked Questions for further information. If your query is not answered here please email foundation@bupa.com.au.

Download the Application for funding form (DOC 158Kb).