Current Sections: About the HRC >> CouncilStatutory Responsibilities of the Health Research Council of New Zealand
The Health Research Council Act 1990 sets out the statutory responsibilities of the Health Research Council of New Zealand.
The Health Research Council Act 1990 is available online. Reproduced below are sections 6, 31 and 34 of the Health Research Council Act 1990 which relate to:
- functions of the Council
- consideration of applications
- liaisons with other organisations.
Functions of Council
"6. Functions of Council –
(1) The functions of the Council shall be
(a) To advise the Minister on national health research policy:
(b) To administer funds granted to the Council for the purpose of implementing national health research policy:
(c) To negotiate, once every three years, the bulk-funding allocations that may be made to the Council by the Government for the funding of health research:
(d) To foster the recruitment, education, training, and retention of those engaged in health research in New Zealand:
(e) To initiate and support health research:
(f) To encourage initiatives into health research by soliciting research proposals and applications, particularly in areas considered by the Council to have a high priority:
(g) To consult, for the purpose of establishing priorities in relation to health research, with (i) The Minister of Health; and (ii) The Ministry of Health; and [(iii)] Repealed (iv) Other persons who fund or produce research, whether in the public sector or the private sector; and (v) Persons who have a knowledge of health issues from the consumer perspective:
(g) To promote and disseminate the results of health research in ways that will be most effective in encouraging their contribution to health science, health policy, and health care delivery:
(i) To advertise actively for applications for grants to support proposals or personal awards in relation to health research:
(j) To appoint the members of the Biomedical Research Committee, the Public Health Research Committee, the Maori Health Committee, and the Ethics Committee:
(k) To ensure the development and application of appropriate assessment standards by committees or subcommittees that assess health research proposals:
(l) To administer any additional funds that may be made available to the Council from either public or private sources for the support of health research.
(2) In the performance of its functions under this Act, the Council shall have regard to the general policy of the Government in relation to health research.”
Consideration of Applications
“31. Consideration of applications –
(1) Where an application for a grant for the purposes of health research is made to the Council, the Council –
(a) Shall refer that application to a research committee so that a scientific assessment of the health research may be made by that research committee; and
(b) Shall refer that application to the Ethics Committee so that that Committee may make, or arrange for the making of, an independent ethical assessment of the health research.
(2) No application shall be granted unless the Council considers, after having regard to the scientific assessment made by the research committee to which the application was referred under subsection (1) (a) of this section and to the independent ethical assessment made pursuant to subsection (1) (b) of this section, that –
(a) The scientific design of the proposed research is sound; and
(b) The study is both relevant and feasible given the available resources; and
(c) The research is ethically acceptable.
(3) The Council shall have regard to the effect that its decisions on applications for grants for the purpose of health research may have on the future availability of research providers.
(4) Within the general policy of the Government in relation to health research, the Council shall be responsible for identifying and setting priorities for undertaking health research, and in undertaking this task it shall take into account the views of the Minister, the Ministry of Health, the community, and researchers.”
Liaisons With Other Organisations
“34. Liaison with other organisations –
(1) The Council shall develop close and supportive relationships with any charitable, private, or other organisations that fund health research.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, the Council shall set up formal mechanisms of liaison to develop a national health research strategy for New Zealand.
(3) The Council may make available to other organisations, on a cost-recovery basis, its procedures for –
(a) The assessment of applications:
(b) The preparation of contracts:
(c) The administration of research funds.
(4) Liaison under this section may include joint ventures in support of specific research proposals.
(5) The Council shall develop and maintain close links with the Ministry of Health and persons purchasing or providing health services to assist those bodies in meeting their research needs.
(6) The Council may, by agreement with the Director-General of Health or with any person purchasing or providing health services, –
(a) Act as the agent of the Director-General of Health or of the person purchasing or providing health services in letting contracts for health research; or
(b) Perform the scientific assessment of in-house research carried out by or on behalf of the Ministry of Health or the person purchasing or providing health services.”
Last Updated : 20 April 2006 12:15:53.
