Research requests
We work with NSW Health staff, external researchers and partner organisations to undertake research in partnership with eHealth NSW.
eHealth NSW uses an operating model, including key criteria and principles, with consideration on value and benefits for the system, as well as how research could be translated into practice. With these considerations, eHealth NSW endorses and partners with particular projects.
“What we are doing is coordinating, enabling, and providing standardised governance and reporting,” said Lachlan Rudd, Director of Data and Analytics, eHealth NSW.
For research-related enquiries, please contact Heidi Mueller, Research Coordinator for eHealth NSW’s Data and Analytics portfolio: EHNSW-Research@health.nsw.gov.au
- Eligibility Criteria
- Endorsement by eHealth NSW
- Application process overview
- Research Conduct
- Current research projects
- Frequently asked questions
- Recent opportunities
- Conferences
Research Project Eligibility Criteria
Research projects must meet the following criteria in order to be considered:
- The research must add value and benefit the system.
- The project must directly align with the priorities of eHealth NSW (eHealth Strategy for NSW Health, NSW Health Analytics Framework, NSW Health Strategic Priorities, and The Premier’s Priorities).
- The application must demonstrate collaborative engagement and consultation with relevant networks and stakeholders where applicable (e.g. partner organisations, MOH, ACI, clinicians, Local ICT, Chief Information Officer, health service administrators, researchers, and consumers).
- Completed feasibility trial and/or pilot project demonstrating value, before considering multi-site state-wide roll out and/or broad ICT integration.
eHealth NSW Endorsement
All applicants who require endorsement from eHealth NSW need to contact the Research Coordinator for project approval.
- Prior to applying for any research grant, applicants should submit a request below in the “submit a request” section. Please attach a one-page project outline for review including what is requested from an eHealth perspective. The Research Coordinator will review the application and get in contact to provide feedback and next steps.
Application Process Overview
Submission of applications, review and reporting follows a standard process.
eHealth NSW Consultation Phase
- Researcher contacts eHealth NSW
- Initial eHealth NSW review of application
- eHealth NSW internal stakeholder engagement
- Feedback from eHealth NSW to Researcher
- Researcher project proposal submission to eHealth NSW Research Coordinator: EHNSW-Research@health.nsw.gov.au or for direct enquiries contact Heidi at: Heidi.Mueller@health.nsw.gov.au
eHealth NSW Review Phase
- Research evaluation and engagement of partner organisations (mix of internal and external) review
- eHealth NSW executive and/or relevant NSW Health partner organisations executive endorse successful proposals
Report Phase
- Researcher makes ethics application to HREC
- Researcher conducts research project
- Researcher delivers progress reports and engages with network/taskforce/institute/HREC/funding organisation
- Research presents project outcomes to eHealth NSW (project report, outcomes, benefits and translation)
eHealth NSW supports and encourages a strong research program, driven by internal and external researchers
The Research review and approval process involves 3 steps
- External Researcher engagement
- Internal eHealth NSW review and collaboration
- eHealth endorsement and approval
Research Review and Approval Flowchart
*Researchers may be required to obtain approval from other agencies impacted by the research
e.g. Data ownership is likely to lie with either the MoH or CE of the partner LHD
Research Conduct
All research undertaken in partnership with the eHealth NSW must adhere to relevant standards of research conduct. Proposals and research designs should be developed with reference to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Australian Research Council (ARC) standards of academic conduct.
All research practices conducted in partnership with eHealth NSW must meet the following conduct:
- obtain and maintain ongoing approval from relevant human research ethics committee(HREC)
- encourage collaboration
- have a high likelihood to translate into better patient outcomes, health service delivery, and population health and wellbeing
- be of excellent and robust scientific quality
- demonstrate excellent leadership
- ensure security of research data and information
- support appropriate intellectual property
- meet legislative requirements on confidentiality and privacy of information
- establish mechanism for appropriate record keeping
- be appropriately resourced
- protect participants
- maintain appropriate training of staff and researchers
- commit to regular reporting, including publishing results and disseminating research finding in an accurate and timely manner
- provide eHealth NSW advanced copies of publications, at least two weeks prior to submission
- support appropriate authorship rights
- support appropriate acknowledgements
- meet internationally recognised research integrity standards.
eHealth endorsed and approved projects 2020
| Principal Investigator | Organisation | Project title |
|---|---|---|
| Professor David Brieger | Sydney Local Health District | Building a learning health system: using eMR derived automatic feedback of quality process indicators to improve quality of care and outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome: SPEED-EXTRACT |
| Dr Sue Mei Lau & Dr Barbara Depczynski | Prince of Wales Hospital, South Eastern Sydney LHD | Developing and implementing a new, evidence-based and cost-effective model of inpatient diabetes consultation: The Diabetes Dashboard |
| A/Prof Christopher Pearce | Macquarie University | “COVID Early Warning and Monitoring System” – Developing a real-time data exchange between primary and secondary care to facilitate a rapid response to emerging trends |
| Sally Redman | SaxInstitute | Modelling for Hospitals |
| Prof Warwick Britton | Sydney Local Health District | Improving patient care by integrating remote monitoring technology into digitalhealth infrastructure: learning from COVID-19 |
| Dr Cliff Meldrum | NSW Health Pathology | Scalable, interoperable data & analysis platform for actionable insights to combat infectious diseases in Australia: SpreadStopper |
| Harris MF | UNSW | Cancer Shared Care |
| Deepak Bhonagiri | South Western Sydney LHD | 24/7 eICU model of care for Level 4 ICUs in rural NSW |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get more information about developing a research proposal?
The NSW Health Translational Research Grants Scheme has appropriate resources.
What data assets are available within NSW Health?
For internal NSW Health staff please access Analytics Assist.
For external researchers please access Centre for Health Record Linkage.
What is eHealth NSW’s strategic priorities for research?
The eHealth NSW Strategy for NSW Health 2016-2026 has been developed to guide NSW to deliver world-class, eHealth-enabled healthcare services across the State over the next decade. This strategy sets the focus and underpinning principles for NSW to realise the vision of ‘A digitally enabled and integrated health system delivering patient-centred health experiences and quality health outcomes’. eHealth Strategy for NSW Health 2016-2026, Premier’s priorities and NSW Health Strategic Priorities 2019-2020.
What is the role of eHealth NSW in research?
eHealth NSW will review and advise on proposals and may participate in research programs.
When should I talk to eHealth NSW?
As early as you identify the need to utilise data across multiple LHDs or the need to use technology or request changes to the EMR as part of your research project.
What support can I get from my local IT compared to eHealth NSW and do they overlap?
This will vary from LHD to LHD so it is a good idea to speak with your local team as well as eHealth NSW. Your local LHD technical team is usually a good first point of contact when planning your design and its suitability for use within NSW Health. Your LHD IT team can support you in understanding
and meeting the process guidelines to fully demonstrate the type of app or solution proposed, how it will interact with NSW Health Systems and complies with the required legislative and security requirements.
Do I need to contact the eHealth NSW Research Coordinator or can I reach out to my existing contacts at eHealth?
Yes, all requests regarding research need to be received through the Research Coordinator to ensure they are actioned appropriately with the correct follow up and oversight.
What is a PSAF?
An early assessment service which supports all projects and programs in security-risk decision-making, eHealth NSW’s Privacy and Security Assurance Framework (PSAF) helps programs and projects to eliminate or mitigate any potential risks. Through the use of structured questionnaires, the PSAF seeks to identify and influence every stage of a new system and proposals to meet eHealth NSW’s ‘Security and Privacy by Design’ principle.
- Complies with eHealth NSW, NSW Health and NSW Government security policies
- Provides a structured approach to information security implementation within eHealth NSW and the wider NSW Health system
- Complies with the legal and regulatory framework under which eHealth NSW and NSW Health operate
- Provides manageable and effective information security controls to ensure appropriate protection of information assets.
Where can I find more information and guidance for developing apps or solutions?
More information can be found in the Guide to eHealth NSW Systems document, when working on a digital healthcare project within NSW Health.
How do I subscribe to emails from eHealth NSW Research?
Please send an email to EHNSW-Research@health.nsw.gov.au
Recent opportunities for researchers
2021 Targeted Call for Research into Biotoxin-related illnesses
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TBA | 1 September 21 | $2,000,000.00 | The 2021 TCR into Biotoxin-related illnesses implements the Australian Government’s response to Recommendation 6 in the Report on the Inquiry into Biotoxin-related Illnesses in Australia. The Inquiry sought to better understand the ill effects suffered by people exposed to contaminated indoor environments, most commonly water-damaged buildings. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=907533d7-4da6-4fff-bada-f1f5701890bf |
NHMRC-NIHR Collaborative Research Grant Scheme 2021 priorities for funding 2022 – 3 Rounds
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
25 July 22 | $3,000,000.00 | The NHMRC-NIHR Collaborative Research Grant scheme (NHMRC-NIHR scheme) supports Australian participation and collaboration in leading international collaborative research through the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme. The HTA Programme funds independent research about the effectiveness, costs and broader impact of healthcare treatments and tests. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=2791448f-522b-4f45-9b71-f6b0a931e828 |
NHMRC-CIHR Healthy Cities Implementation Science Team Grant Scheme 2021 for funding in 2022
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8 July 22 | $5,000,000.00 | The NHMRC-Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Healthy Cities Implementation Science (HCIS) Team Grant Scheme supports Australian participation in international collaborative research through the CIHR Healthy Cities Research Initiative. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=ec98686f-0b5b-4a25-b661-55b4199f30e4 |
MRFF Clinical Trials Activity Initiative - 2021 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16 February 22 | Round 1: 25 August 2021 | $12,600,000.00 | Applications to this Grant Opportunity must propose a single clinical trial in Australia in collaboration with international counterparts. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=a4ed068d-b7ef-4247-b161-f6ff28686327 |
Translational Research Grants Scheme EOI (TRGS) R6
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
27/09/2021 | 6 September 21 | $500,000 | A NSW Health employee of a host organisation within the health system must lead the project. Applicants may include:
| https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/translational-research-grants-scheme/ |
2021 National Health and Medical Research Council-European Union Collaborative Research Grant Scheme
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9 February 22 | up to $500,000.00 | The NHMRC-EU Collaborative Research Grant Scheme provides a contribution to Australian institutions and researchers who are participating in leading international collaborative research that has been selected for funding through Horizon Europe. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=54b7f123-3baa-4230-8ca7-f275702fd7cf |
NHMRC Partnership Projects 2021
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 December 2021 | PRC1 – 24 March 2021 | Up to $1,500,000.00 | Partnership Projects will support connections, within the Australian context, that translate research evidence into health policy and health practice, to improve health services and processes. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=ba743d40-dc3a-41c8-9c26-65ad67ebff86 |
Prevention Research Support Program (PRSP) – Round 6
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications close at 11.59pm Sunday 28 November 2021. | $2,000,000.00 ($500,000 per annum for 4 years) | The NSW Ministry of Health invites applications for funding under Round 6 of the Prevention Research Support Program (PRSP) for the period July 2022 to June 2026. Funding is available to eligible NSW research organisations or collaborations conducting prevention and early intervention research that aligns with NSW Health priorities. The PRSP will direct funds towards research infrastructure and strategies to build research capability and translate evidence from research into policy and practice. |
MRFF 2021 Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mothers and Babies
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
25 November 21 | From $2,000,000.00 to $5,000,000.00 | This grant opportunity is part of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) under the Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative. This initiative aims to enable and support the translation of new discoveries into clinical practise. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=aa6069a4-695a-425c-a5e2-48d3cdbddbf7 |
2021 Standard Equipment Grants
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
22 September 21 | $5,700,000.00 | Equipment Grants provide funding to facilitate the procurement of equipment designed to support the highest quality health and medical research. Equipment Grant funding is intended to assist ongoing competitively funded medical research across Australia. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=069cf50a-c9b1-44f2-a4b0-4dbe5fff53aa |
Expansion of the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program in More Remote Settings
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3 September 21 | $14,250,000.00 | To establish up to seven multidisciplinary health training demonstration sites in more remote settings (MM 3-7) through existing university department of rural health (UDRHs) with a maximum of one project per Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program jurisdiction. The focus of activities should be on allied health disciplines, but other multidisciplinary health disciplines can be included if they address specific health needs in the proposed location of your health training demonstration site. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=14b107a1-401d-4b78-a321-f6bbaf8f665d |
2021 Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme for funding commencing in 2022
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 September 21 | The Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme is an innovative annual national research project grants funding scheme which brings together government and other funders to collaboratively fund cancer research in Australia. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=4736be7c-4954-495b-9490-d849c410d393 |
Home Care Workforce Support Program
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
27 August 21 | $91,000,000.00 | Nine grants will be provided to organisations or consortia to work collaboratively with key stakeholders to attract, train and support the retention of an additional 13,000 Personal Care Workers (PCWs) nationally to the home care sector by June 2023. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=19f39bbc-feed-43bd-84b3-3ed245ac5bf7 |
NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants 2021 for funding mid-2022
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
25 August 21 | 28 July 21 | $70,000,000.00 | The objectives of the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grant scheme is to support high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies that address important gaps in knowledge, leading to relevant and implementable findings for the benefit of human health. This grant opportunity is open to research proposals for clinical trials and/or cohort studies of any size – that is, they may be large or small clinical trials or cohort studies | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=6d813981-c0bb-495c-bc97-3eb2805436a9 |
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Expansion of FASD Diagnostic Services
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
24 August 21 | $9,811,000.00 | The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide for an expansion of FASD diagnostic services to ensure availability across Australia, with a particular focus on communities with a demonstrated need for FASD Diagnostic Services. To provide national coverage, services must be established in New South Wales (including regional clinics), Regional Victoria and Southern and Central Queensland. Organisations can apply to deliver services in one of these locations, or multiple. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=4fe9067b-0ae3-4ebb-bc7a-684246be224e |
MRFF 2021 Rare Cancers Rare Diseases Unmet Need General - Grant Opportunity
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18 August 21 | 4 August 21 | $70,000,000.00 | Applications to this grant opportunity must propose research that addresses one of the Streams of research.
| https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=094bc41e-6095-4824-8c93-3868ae49e4da |
MRFF – 2021 COVID 19 Health Impacts and Vaccination Schedules Grant Opportunity
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18 August 21 | 4 August 21 | $15,000,000.00 | The MRFF Coronavirus Research Response – 2021 COVID-19 Health Impacts and Vaccination Schedules Grant Opportunity. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=de9f5887-f416-410a-a94c-6dd3918cbca6 |
TCR into Participation in Cancer Screening Programs 2021
| Closing Date and Time | Minimum Data Closes | Funding Available | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18 August 21 | 4 August 21 | $9,000,000.00 | This TCR will support research that will develop the evidence base for future policies, interventions and other initiatives to increase participation across the three national Cancer Screening Programs. | https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=20a43046-df36-4444-ab6c-264e709972e5 |
Conferences
| Conference | Abstracts are invited from the following research topics | Abstracts are due | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Emergency Care Research Symposium | The ECI Research Symposium is intended to support clinicians who are interested in developing their skills in research and establishing a research portfolio.
It is targeted at both novice and more experienced researchers and for those wishing to receive feedback on their research project methodology and approach. There is a focus on broader directions and priorities in emergency care research, funding opportunities and ongoing support for researchers. The program includes sessions about priorities in emergency care research and workshops that will provide practical research skills. | Thursday, 19 August 2021 | Register here |
| Nursing Informatics 2021 |
| 23rd August 2021 - 2 September 2021 | Register here |
| Innovation and leadership in Digital Health: Perspectives from the Australian Defence Force and ACT Health | This exciting webcast event, hosted by ACHSM ACT Branch, will feature guest speakers Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey, AM, CSC (ADF) and Peter O’Halloran (ACT Health) as they discuss some of the opportunities and challenges of designing and implementing complex, large scale digital health projects. | Wednesday 25th August via zoom | |
| Digital Therapeutics (DTx) – a global perspective | Hear what global and Australian experts have to say about the potential of digital therapeutics in changing the way we think about and invest in digital health. | 31 August, 9.00 - 11.00 (AEST) | Register here |
| Digital Health ECR Community Virtual Journal Club - September | Chaired By Dr. Naseem Ahmadpour The Journal Club will introduce attendees to Virtual Reality in Digital Health. This will be followed by a guided discussion of one of three journal articles Naseem has authored on the use of Virtual Reality to support patient health and wellbeing. | Thursday September 2nd at 11.00am | Register your interest for the September journal club here |
| ANDHealth Australian Delegation to HLTH | Hear from and connect with the health industry’s visionaries, changemakers and leading investors from across the global health ecosystem who come together at HLTH to solve some of the world’s largest health problems and bring to life the most promising opportunities to improve health. | 17 - 20 October | Register Here |
| Innovate Health 2021: Remote monitoring and digital innovations enabling home as the centre of care | Day 1:
Day 2:
| 2-Day event 8 - 9 November 2021 | For more information and to register |
| Future of Health 2021 | Understanding the evolution of healthcare. Emerging tech like AI being put to work, new healthcare models threatening old models, it is clear that healthcare is changing. | 2-Day event 8 - 9 December 2021 | Register here |