Senior Research Fellowships

About this program

The Neurological Foundation offers Senior Research Fellowships providing personal salary support for outstanding early‑career postdoctoral researchers based at New Zealand institutions to establish independent neurological research that advances understanding, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment or management of central and peripheral nervous system disorders (purely mental‑health management‑only projects are ineligible). Awards fund up to two years’ equivalent salary plus associated costs, with research FTE able to be spread across more than two years if each year is ≥60% FTE and total FTE does not exceed 200% (maximum term 3 years 4 months at 60%); equipment, institutional overheads, already‑funded staff salaries and business‑class travel are excluded, though one economy return airfare to New Zealand and travel grants up to NZD 4,500 (total) may be available. Eligible applicants are postdoctoral researchers based at New Zealand institutions who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, with a PhD awarded within 5–10 years of the closing date (extensions for significant career breaks possible), and who do not already have salary funding or another fellowship for the proposed project. Applications must be submitted via the applicant’s Host Institution to the Foundation’s Grants Management System (annual Round A deadline 18 March; outcomes advised early July) and are assessed by external reviewers and Foundation committees on track record, project quality, methodology and host/mentor support.