The aim of the HCF Research Foundation is to fund health and medical research for the benefit of HCF members and all Australians, with a focus on health services research.

The HCF Research Foundation Translational Research Grants (TRG) scheme is focused on responding to health issues identified within health care provider communities, and the translation of research findings into practice by health service delivery stakeholders. Through this scheme, the Foundation aims to facilitate the implementation of cost-effective evidence-based innovation into health care delivery to improve outcomes and the work experience of clinical staff.

The 2022 TRG round is calling for applications specifically addressing the topic of “providing appropriate care for the elderly in the community”. This topic aims to facilitate implementation of care models for the elderly that are delivered in the community and includes (but is not limited to) health issues such as frailty, polypharmacy, palliative care, rehabilitation, end-of-life and advanced care planning, residential aged care and primary care engagement.

Successful applications will incorporate both translation research (i.e. implementation research, examining how to more effectively apply best practice models) and evaluation of the outcomes of the changes that are implemented. Significant support from health care providers for these projects is expected, in the form of cash support and/or in-kind contributions.

The initial application round is by EOI due 8 October 2024

In the 2024 TRG round, health care providers can apply for funding to implement evidence-based change into practice and evaluate the results of that change with regard to patient outcomes, costs and other relevant metrics. Applicant health care providers must be able to self-identify areas where performance, relative to peers is sub-optimal (i.e. using benchmarking data) and propose an appropriate solution to improve safety and quality, effectiveness and patient outcomes.

In order to be eligible for funding within the TRG scheme, research projects must address both implementation (research into the effective implementation of the new model), and evaluation (the outcomes of the implemented approach).

Applications must provide an implementation plan for their specific context that includes research into the effectiveness of the implementation plan. Applications must also describe the intended approach to evaluate the outcomes of the implemented approach.

• Email: hcffoundation@hcf.com.au