Research Grants
CMT Australia has an active program to raise funds to assist local research into Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT).
As our profile in the community increases we are increasing our capacity to raise research funds.
We have a proven process to seek applications for grants and to allocate funds from our research pool.
Financial support comes from our members, sustaining partners and others who recognise CMT Australia as a trusted organisation supporting Australian CMT research.
Grants may be awarded to cover any one of our objectives. CMT Australia conducts an annual call for research funding applications which are submitted by any organisation that believes it has a project which will further our objectives.
We previously commenced this process by seeking donations for research and then allocating available funds in September each year. This process had limitations, as it was unclear which project the funds would be allocated to, and also it limited our capacity to allocate funds (donations) received in a year.
Our new approach it to seek project proposals on an annual basis and then select those we believe should be supported. This reverses our fundraising, and provides targeted, more flexible funding grant. You can support this program by making a donation.
Background
CMT Australia receives funds from its members and sustaining partners to assist the Association in meeting its objectives. Membership subscriptions and administration donations are used to enable CMT Australia to manage its administrative functions such as membership, office, newsletter publications and website. The Association also conducts National Seminars that are self-funded.
Additional funds are provided by members and sustaining partners for research, youth and administration activities.
Research Funds
These funds traditionally amount to approximately $20,000 per year. This level of funding is very modest considering the cost of most research projects and it is the responsibility of the CMT Australia Committee to ensure that these funds are used to the maximum advantage in meeting CMT Australia objectives.
The Association relies on external organisations and individuals to undertake projects and therefore it needs a policy and process by which funds can be appropriately allocated.
Projects which could be considered for such grants need not be medical in nature as they can address other member support initiatives such as gathering statistics or lobbying other funding providers for grants.
Updated Funding Model
From 2020, CMT Australia is changing the way it raises funds and allocates these to research projects. The new approach is project focused with targeted campaigns to raise the required funds. Once this has been achieved, in each case, the grant will be allocated and publicised to our Members and other Stakeholders.
The advantage of this approach are many, but primarily donors will know which project they are helping to fund; and the amount that can be raised will not be limited to what CMT Australia can raise in a single year to support all accepted projects.
Grant Timetable
Grants may be awarded to cover any one of our objectives. CMT Australia conducts an annual call for research funding applications which are submitted to any organisation that believes it has a project which will further our objectives.
Information on previous research projects funded by our grants program is available.
If you have a project that you believe would meet our selection criteria get your application in to us by 30 June.
Our timetable is: | |
|---|---|
| 1 Feb | Call for applications |
| 30 June | Applications close |
| July to Sept | Committee consideration and project selection |
| Flexible Period | Develop marketing strategy for each project and actively seek donations for individual projects. |
| Flexible Period | Advise the Grantee when sufficient project funds have been raised and present funds. |
| Flexible Period | Members advised of grants awarded and provided regular project progress. |
Application Process for Grant
This process has been kept simple to encourage applications, and developed to ensure openness and equity in the way funds are allocated.
Following this process should ensure that projects considered most likely to meet CMT Australia’s objectives will receive funding, and those who have contributed to the funding pool are aware of how funds are used to further CMT Australia’s objectives.
Process for Funding Assessment and Distribution
The CMT Australia Committee will continue to undertake project assessment, however funding distribution has changed from once a year, to become project based as project funding is achieved.
The process for funding applications is:
Those proposing a project they are requesting funding (in whole or in part) by CMT Australia should forward an application to the Secretary of CMT Australia by June 30. Application form is below.
Applicants need to be Australian Citizens or Australian Residents.
The CMT Australia Committee will review all applications submitted by this date.
The successful applicant/s will be announced at the National Seminar. A focused marketing campaign will be developed (in conjunction with the project proposer) to generate donations for the project.
- Once the target for funding has been achieved, CMT Australia will award the project grant and publicise this to Members and Stakeholders. This could occur at any point in the year.
It is an expectation that all successful Grant Applicants provide the CMT Australia Committee with regular updates during the period of funding. Project updates can be submitted as either reports, reviews or articles for publication in the CMT Australia Newsletter and or presented at the Annual National Awareness Seminar.
Information Sought by CMT Australia in Assessing an Application
- Applicant details.
- Overview of the complete project being undertaken.
- Stakeholders in the project.
- Details of the proposed project including timelines and estimated costs for each stage.
- Identification of the component for which CMT Australia funding is being sought, and the amount being requested.
- Outline of other funding sources for the project and the likelihood that these funds will be provided.
- Explanation as to how the project (and particularly that part for which CMT Australia funding is being sought) will meet the objectives of CMT Australia.
- Explanation as to how the project relates to others being undertaken by the applicant.
- Explanation as to how the project integrates with others being undertaken in Australia or overseas.
- Timeline for supply of funding should the application be successful.
The CMT Australia Committee, at its discretion, reserves the right to update or alter any of the Terms and Conditions of the Process for Funding Assessment and the Distribution of Grants as at September 30, 2013.
Responsibility of Successful Applicants
On acceptance of a project proposal, CMT Australia will work with the project proposer to develop an appropriate marketing campaign to maximise the donations towards the project.
All successful applicants are expected to provide members with regular updates on their project, once funded. This should be through an article in the CMT Australia newsletter, website and Facebook announcements, and/or the National Seminar.
