About the foundation
The Bupa Health Foundation is one of the leading charitable foundations dedicated to health in Australia.
Our vision is to partner with health and medical researchers, to address the health needs of the Australian community and deliver on our purpose to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives.
Our approach to partnering includes four core activities;
Investing in research that improves health
Collaborating with researchers across academic, industry and healthcare communities
Advocating for researchers, organisations and initiatives that are improving health
Capacity building by developing skills and networks of health and medical researchers
We’re proud to be the principal partner of Kids Helpline, supporting the Kids Helpline @ School program and My Circle service.
Over the last 10 years we have invested more than $35 million in partnerships across the country. You can read about some of these initiatives in our latest highlights report.
Foundation leadership
Foundation management
- Julie Bissinella, Director Community Engagement
- Dr Melina Georgousakis, Research & Policy Manager
- Donna Peek, Operations Manager
Foundation Board
- Mr Bryan Mogridge, ONZM (Chairman)
- Mr Mike Hawker, AM (Deputy Chairman)
- Mr Hisham El-Ansary
- Ms Jane Harvey
- Mr John Lorimer, ONZM
- Mr Trevor Matthews
- Dr Lisa O’Brien
- Mr Nick Stone
Foundation Partnerships
The Foundation has invested more than $35m in national initiatives focused on improving health outcomes for the Australian community.
Health System Sustainability - NHMRC Partnership Centre
The Partnership Centre for Health System Sustainability will explore the issues impacting health care system sustainability, and develop and evaluate a set of implementable interventions that are appropriate from a clinical, patient and economic perspective.
Best Care, First Time
Working with young people, their families and health professionals, this study will investigate how health information technologies can support a genuine circle of care as young people go through the mental health system across primary to specialist health care, and between public and private services.
Digital Health CRC
The Digital Health CRC aims to improve the health and health care of Australians and advance the economy through collaborative R&D that combines multi-disciplinary skills, industry knowledge, technologies, networks & data.
My Circle
My Circle is a safe, secure social media platform where young people can connect anonymously with peers that are dealing with similar challenges, and get support from Kids Helpline counsellors. While the service grows, the University of Sydney will evaluate the outcomes, to create an evidenced based, cost-effective program to help more young people access the care they need.
Kids Helpline at School
Kids Helpline deliver a range of evidence-informed and interactive sessions to primary school classrooms throughout Australia. The program is free, and facilitated by a qualified Kids Helpline Counsellor via a video link. Sessions on offer include topics such as managing emotions, developing resilience, friendship and bullying.
1. Eligibility Criteria
- An early career researcher - anytime from qualification but no more than 5 years past PhD or research higher degree. (Exceptions will be granted for career disruption due to carer’s responsibilities, illness, disability or COVID_19.)
- An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Currently engaged in applied research activities that align with the focus of the Bupa Health Foundation.
Who can nominate?
Nominations must be completed by research supervisors and/or department heads who are directly involved in the work of the researcher. Organisational approval of nominations is required.
What are we looking for in a nomination?
Nominations should clearly detail information about the Emerging Researcher, their area of interest, an overview of their research area and its potential impact on the health of Australians.
2. Submit Nomination
NOW OPEN - Emerging Health Researcher Award 2021
All nominations must be submitted using the online form below. Email and post applications will not be accepted however the Working Document below can be downloaded to assist with nomination development.
Download 2021 Emerging Health Researcher working doc
Submissions close - 9am Monday 11th October 2021 (AEDST)
Finalists will be contacted via phone and email by 1st Nov 2021. The overall winner will be announced mid-November 2021.
3. Outcome
What is the prize?
The recipient will be awarded a total of $25,000 (AUD) to further their career in research. Selected finalists will also receive a prize of $5,000.
In addition, profiling of the recipient and finalists, and the nominating organisations, will take place across internal and external media.
How is the winner announced?
All Finalists will be notified by Monday 1st November 2021 with the recipient of the 2021 Emerging Health Researcher Award publicly announced mid-November 2021.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Bupa Foundation’s Emerging Health Researcher Award
The Bupa Foundation’s Emerging Health Researcher Award which recognises the valuable contribution early-career researchers make toward improving health outcomes for all Australians. Bupa has invested more than half a million dollars in the award over the past 10 years. This year – in its final year, five finalists will be awarded $5,000 with the eventual award winner receiving an additional $20,0001.
We recently caught up with some past winners to learn more about the value of the award and how their careers are progressing. From tackling obesity, improving physical and mental health, identifying new cancer treatments and promoting lung health amongst First Nations children, these inspirational leaders are continuing to make their mark. They also provided advice for the 2021 Award winners, which will be announced shortly.
Priya Sumithran
Leader of the Obesity Research Group at the University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine (St Vincent’s), endocrinologist and Head of Obesity Medicine at Austin Health
2012 Winner
Gabrielle McCallum
Senior Research Fellow, Clinical Nurse, and Program Leader of Menzies’ Child Health Respiratory team, Darwin.
2015 Winner
Amanda McCullough
Commercialisation Team
Queens University, Belfast
2017 Winner
Jennifer Huynh
Postdoctoral researcher at the Olivia Newton-John Research Institute
2018 Winner
Myles Young
Lecturer in the School of Psychological Science at the University of Newcastle.
2019 Winner
Dr Jin Han
Research Fellow and a National Suicide Prevention Fund Postdoctoral Fellow at the Black Dog Institute
2020 Winner
Foundation Grants Program
The Bupa Health Foundation (Foundation) is seeking to invest $1 million in an alliance of organisations who collectively have the capacity and capability to deliver research that leads to improvements in the Mental Health and Wellbeing for children and adolescents (4-17 years).
We are currently inviting Expressions of Interests (EOIs) for research that meet the below criteria and is likely to deliver clear benefits to the mental health of the Australian community.
1. What we are looking for
The overarching objective of the 2019 Foundation Grants Program is to support research that leads to improvements in the mental health of Australian children and adolescents aged 4-17, ultimately aiming to result in better mental health for the Australian community.
The Foundation believes there is great value in bringing together diverse teams to solve complex problems and as such is looking to fund an alliance of organisations that will call upon their breadth of understanding, experiences and skills to deliver an innovative and bold research project.
For more information and criteria: Download full application guidelines PDF 138KB
2. The Process
The 2019 Foundation Grants Program has a two-stage evaluation process.
Stage one
In Stage One the Foundation is seeking EOIs to participate in the Program.
This will include information on the organisations who will make up the research alliance as well as a high-level overview of the proposed research and its expected impact on improving mental health for children and adolescents.
EOIs are to be submitted via the online webform by 5pm (AEDT) Friday 20th December 2019. A downloadable working template of the online form is available here:
Download EOI working PDF
Stage two
Applicants will be notified the week commencing Monday 27th January 2020. Successful applicants will be invited to complete the full Request for Proposal (RFP). This will include a presentation to the Grant Evaluation Committee in Sydney in the week commencing 16th March 2020.
Although submission of the RFP is by invitation only, the document is available to support applicants preparing their EOI to participate (stage one) in the Program. Download full request for proposal doc
Key Dates
(Indicative timing. The Foundation reserves the right to vary any time or dates in its discretion)| Wednesday 6th November 2019 | Funding Round – Stage One Opens: Application guidance and application documentation released. Submissions of Expressions of Interests via the Foundation website. |
|---|---|
| Friday 20th December 2019 (5PM AEDT) | Stage One Closes: Only Expressions of Interest submitted via the online form will be accepted prior to 5PM (AEDT) will be considered. |
| Week Commencing 20th January 2020 | Stage Two Commences: Successful applicants notified and invited to complete full Request for Proposal. Dates for successful applications to present their research proposal to the Foundation Evaluation Committee will be agreed. |
| Week Commencing 27th January 2020 | Unsuccessful applicants notified. |
| Week Commencing 16th March 2020 | Presentations to the BHF Evaluation Committee (including draft Request for Proposal) |
| Monday 20th April 2020 9AM (AEDT) | Stage Two Closes: Final Request for Proposal to be submitted via foundation@bupa.com.au |
| Mid May 2020 | Successful applicant/s notified |
| End of May 2020 | Notification to unsuccessful applicants |
| June 2020 | Public announcement of successful applicant/s and contracting. |
More detailed information on the timing and requirements for both stages of the evaluation process is provided in the Download full application guidelines PDF
The Foundation welcomes questions from potential applicants to ensure research proposals meet the aims and criteria for the 2019 Foundations Grant Program Funding. Please review our Frequently Asked Questions for common questions.
The Foundation has also allocated time each week prior to EOI submission deadline for more detailed enquires. To make an appointment please contact the Foundation team via: foundation@bupa.com.au
3. Submit Expression of Interest
The Expression of Interest form is to be completed by the lead organisation of a research alliance who wish to express their interest to apply for the Bupa Health Foundation 2019 Grants Program.
Submissions close – 5PM Friday 20th December 2019 (AEDT)
All EOIs must be submitted using the online form below. Email and post applications will not be accepted however the EOI Working Document can be downloaded to support EOI development.
Download EOI working PDF
Prior to submission please ensure you have reviewed the 2019 Foundation Grants application guidelines which provides detailed information on the funding requirements, the research area and timelines.
Download full application guidelines PDF
Expressions of interest for 2019 Funding Round are now closed.
4. Outcome
The Bupa Health Foundation Grant Evaluation Committee and Board of Directors will use the following evaluation criteria to select the successful EOI applicant and the final decision on which project/s will ultimately receive funding.
| Criteria | |
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| The Project |
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| It’s Impact |
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| The Team |
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| The Budget |
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Frequently asked questions
General questions:
My organisation is a not for profit/charity. Can I still submit an application to be considered?
Is the Foundation interested in local community initiatives?
How much funding is available?
Questions related to the application process:
Is the Expression of Interest (EOI) a precursor to another round of funding?
How long is the application process and when should I expect to hear back regarding my application?
Does the Foundation advertise the Foundation Grants Program?
Who will review the Foundation Grants Program?
Will any applications be reviewed if submitted after the deadline?
Can I submit multiple applications?
Will I receive a confirmation email once I submit my application?
Is the Foundation able to meet or provide guidance by telephone on applications?
How do I know if my project fits the criteria and objectives?
Questions relating to the application for funding form:
How much information should be entered on the application overall/per question?
Is the total cost of the project based on cost per year or per project life?
Can I submit the EOI by email?
If your question has not been answered here please contact the Foundation via email at foundation@bupa.com.au
