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Supporting early career medical and health researchers: AMRF announces expansion to postdoctoral fellowship funding programme

  • AMRF
  • Mar 12
  • 3 min read

Updated: Mar 27

The Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) is thrilled to announce a significant expansion of its postdoctoral fellowship funding programme, aimed at supporting early career medical and health researchers. This initiative addresses the critical funding gap that many researchers face during the postdoctoral phase of their careers. By introducing two distinct categories of fellowship awards, AMRF is committed to fostering the growth and development of emerging scientists, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to advance their research and careers.


AMRF banner that reads "70 years: funding medical research since 1955"

In an endeavour to reduce the challenges faced by researchers to secure funding during the postdoctoral phase of their careers, Auckland Medical Research Foundation will expand from offering a single category of postdoctoral fellowship to providing two distinct categories of fellowships. 


The two new categories are:

  1. AMRF First Fellowship (funding for two years): An early career development award, targeting researchers two years (0–24 months inclusive) post-PhD.

  2. AMRF Career Advancement Fellowship (funding for three years): A career advancement award, targeting researchers three to five years (25–60 months inclusive) post-PhD.


Criteria

Below are the applicant criteria for both fellowships, along with details on how the awarded funding can be utilised.


AMRF First Fellowship

  • Applicants will be two years post- PhD at the annual decision date i.e. for 2025 this will be 28 October. The eligibility period starts when the PhD is ‘awarded,’ often listed as the ‘eligible to graduate’ date on the academic transcript and justified career breaks will be considered.

  • As this award is designed as a first fellowship, applicants can’t have been awarded a previous postdoctoral fellowship.

  • Two years of funding will be awarded for 100% of an FTE position. The FTE can be spread across more than two years, if it is at least 80% for each of the first two years and the total does not exceed 200%. There is an expectation that the remaining FTE should be used for activities that will benefit your career and must be approved by the AMRF in advance of moving to a reduced FTE.


AMRF Career Advancement Fellowship

  • Applicants will be three to five years post-PhD at the annual decision date i.e. for 2025 this is 28 October. The eligibility period starts when the PhD is ‘awarded,’ often listed as the ‘eligible to graduate’ date on the academic transcript and justified career breaks will be considered.

  • Three years of funding will be awarded for 100% of an FTE. The FTE can be spread across more than three years, if it is at least 70% for each of the first three years and the total does not exceed 300%. There is an expectation that the remaining FTE should be used for activities that will benefit your career and must be approved by the AMRF in advance of moving to a reduced FTE.


Mentorship

With the introduction of two new categories of fellowships, the current AMRF Mentor/PI guidelines were also reviewed as under the existing guidelines, a mentor/PI could potentially support two applications — one for a First Fellowship and one for a Career Advancement Fellowship. However, to ensure focussed support and commitment to a person’s career, a mentor/PI will only be able to support one application across the two grant types.


Additionally, the following changes have been made to the Fellowship application process:

The one-page summary of research is no longer required

  • The CV template has been revised and should include all outputs and other relevant information, with no date or page restrictions

  • The mentor letter is now about their ability to provide appropriate mentorship environment. It is no longer a letter of support for the applicant. Relocation costs have been removed from the budget.



These changes will enable researchers to focus on their innovative work, contribute to scientific advancements, and ultimately improve health outcomes for our communities. The AMRF’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers underscores the foundation’s dedication to advancing medical knowledge and fostering a healthier future for all.



AMRF Roundel that reads Since 1955: 70 years funding medical research



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