Fernleaf Institute Research Grant Application Guidelines

Fernleaf Institute Research Grant Guidelines 

1 General Information

1.1 The Fernleaf Institute

The Fernleaf Institute is a network of experts who are passionate about families, nutrition and the goodness of milk. We combine expertise in scientific research with a deep knowledge of dairy product development to bring the best in dairy nutrition to families the world over.

1.2 Purpose of the Grant

The Fernleaf Institute Research Grant recognises post-graduate or post-doctoral students who share Fernleaf’s goal of helping all children reach their potential.

The Fernleaf Institute Research Grant is known in some countries as the Fernleaf Research Grant or the Anchor Institute Research Grant.

1.3 Funding available

The Fernleaf Institute has committed funds towards the Fernleaf Institute Research Grant in 2009. It is the expectation that this will be split among several projects. A budget must be provided as part of any application.

1.4 Deadline for Submission of Application

Deadline for the submission of applications is 31st January 2009

Applications can be submitted during the whole year and Applicants are invited to submit applications as early as possible to assure enough time for internal and external reviewing. An early submission permits the Applicant to react to potential remarks from our internal and early external reviewing process.

2 Grants Criteria

2.1 Subjects Eligible for Consideration

The Fernleaf Institute Research Grant recognises post-graduate or post-doctoral students who share Fernleaf’s goal of helping young children (aged 1-5 years) reach their potential.

The Fernleaf Institute Research Grant supports original research in key areas of human nutrition in child and family health. In keeping with this, the majority of research funded through the Fernleaf Institute Research Grant Programme will be about the health, nutrition and development of healthy children from ordinary families.

Specifically, the Fernleaf Institute has identified the following of fields of research interest:

• Understanding the nutritional status of young children (aged 1-5 years)
• Nutritional benefits of Dairy products for young children (aged 1-5 years)
• The impact of nutrition on child health, physical, mental or emotional development, with a focus on helping young children (aged 1-5 years) to meet their full potential

The Fernleaf Institute Research Grant does not normally fund:

• Studies in vitro or undertaken on animals (non-human)
• Research on Food Policy or Regulations, Food Technology or Food Production

2.2 Persons Eligible to Apply

Successful Applicants must:

• Be engaged in post-graduate or post doctoral study through a university
• Be conducting research in one of the Fernleaf Institute areas of interest (above)
• Be resident and conducting research in Malaysia

3 Grants Process

3.1 Review of Applications

Decisions on Funding are based on:

• Alignment with the goals of the Fernleaf Institute
• The scientific significance of the project
• The caliber of the researchers involved

All grant applications will undergo internal and external reviewing. In some cases reviewers may request further information or recommend adjustments to the methodology before committing to the Research Grant.

• Unsuccessful Applicants will be notified by e-mail by 30th April 2009
• Successful Applicants will be notified by telephone or e-mail by 30th April 2009

3.2 Method of Payments of Grants

The Research Grant will be paid by the Fernleaf Institute to the Host Institution in accordance with the terms and payment frequency set out in the Research Agreement to be entered into by the Fernleaf Institute, the Applicant and the Host Institution (see clause 3.7 below). Thereafter, the Host Institution will pay the total Research Grant funds directly to the Applicant at a payment frequency to be mutually agreed between the Host Institution and the Applicant.

3.3 Publication

Any publication should acknowledge funding and support through this Research Grant. The Fernleaf Institute should be contacted prior to publication to ensure correct acknowledgement.

3.4 Site Visits

In some cases a delegate from the Fernleaf Institute may arrange to visit the site of research to inspect progress or to meet with the researchers.

3.5 Reports

A full report is required at the end of the project, and we may require progress reports during the project. We recognise that each project is unique, so reporting requirements will be set on a case by case basis.

3.6 Ethics

All research projects must be planned and conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical Association) and the International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects (CIOMS/ WHO).  All applications for the Fernleaf Institute Research Grant applications must sign the Administration agreement at the end of this document which declares that the research conforms to these ethical standards.

All research projects must be reviewed and approved by at least one duly constituted Research Ethics Committee (REC) which is constituted and operates in accordance with the Helsinki agreement. A copy of the ethical committee’s approval should be submitted with the Research Grant application or a timeline given as to when it will be submitted. Research Grants will not be activated without this approval.

3.7 Research Agreement

The successful Applicant and Host Institution will be required to sign the Fonterra Brands Ltd Research Agreement. A copy of this agreement can be obtained by e-mailing The Fernleaf Institute. All Applicants for the Fernleaf Institute Research Grant must sign the Administrative Agreement contained in the Appendix to this application (clause 6.1) which declares that the Applicant and the Host Institution will be prepared to sign the Research Agreement.

3.8 Referees

Two letters of reference testifying to the ability of the student to carry out the proposed research are required. At least of these must be an academic reference.

4 Application Requirements

4.1 Method of Application

•  A copy of this application form can be obtained by e-mailing The Fernleaf Institute. Applications should be written in English. Research Grant applications should be submitted in digital form, attached to an e-mail message (Word Document or pdf) to the Fernleaf Institute (anchorinstitute@fonterra.com). Please refer to the checklist at the end of the application form to ensure that you have included all necessary documents.
• Applications must be presented in a clear and concise manner with sufficient detail to enable the Scientific Committee and its referees to be fully appraised of the project. The application should be typed using a 10 or 11 point font. The application should not exceed 25 pages in total (including study outline CV, references etc). It should be complete in itself, without any additional appendices.
• Please ensure that the project summary does not exceed 1 page in length.
• Estimates of costs should be realistic, having regard to inflation and the time likely to pass before the project is commenced.

4.2 Application Documents

• These include:
  Project Summary
• Full Application Form
  • Contact details
  • Description of research
  • Relevance to the Fernleaf Institute
  • Budget
  • Timeline
  • Biographical Sketches
• Appendix
  • Administrative agreement
  • Ethics approval
  • Referees