The New NZMJ Report Exposing Critical Shortfalls in Clinical Research Funding
A groundbreaking editorial published in the New Zealand Medical Journal on February 13, 2026, has ignited urgent discussions across New Zealand's academic and healthcare sectors. Titled 'Inadequate resourcing for clinical science in New Zealand,' the piece by esteemed researcher A Mark Richards highlights the dire state of funding and resources for clinical research, particularly within university settings. This report comes at a pivotal time as government reforms loom, potentially exacerbating existing challenges for universities like the University of Otago and University of Auckland, home to key clinical research hubs.
Clinical science, encompassing investigator-led studies that bridge laboratory discoveries to patient care, is foundational to advancing treatments and public health outcomes. Yet, the editorial argues that without robust support, New Zealand risks falling behind global peers, jeopardizing innovations from heart disease therapies to chronic condition management. The accompanying article by Mark J Bolland and Andrew Grey delves deeper into why clinician-researcher careers—vital for universities training the next generation—are becoming untenable.
This publication underscores a long-simmering crisis: static funding from the Health Research Council (HRC) since 2010, despite salaries rising 75% and consumer prices climbing 45%. Universities bear heavy overhead costs, often exceeding 100% of grant salaries at institutions like Auckland and Otago, diverting precious resources from actual research.
Decoding Clinical Science and Its Role in New Zealand Universities
Clinical science refers to applied biomedical research conducted by clinician-scientists—doctors who split time between patient care, teaching, and hypothesis-driven studies. In New Zealand universities, these professionals drive trials testing new therapies, from cardiovascular interventions at Christchurch Heart Institute (University of Otago) to endocrinology research at Auckland.
The process begins with identifying unmet needs, such as equitable treatments for Māori and Pacific populations, then designing protocols, securing ethics approval, recruiting participants, analyzing data, and publishing findings. Each step demands dedicated time, infrastructure, and funding—scarce commodities in Kiwi academia.
Universities provide the ecosystem: labs, ethics committees, and student involvement. However, typical roles allocate just 20% effort (about 8 hours weekly) to research after clinical (50%) and teaching/service duties. This fragmentation stifles ambitious projects, pushing talent overseas where balanced workloads prevail.
For aspiring researchers, platforms like crafting a strong academic CV can highlight potential, but systemic barriers persist.
HRC Funding Trends: Stagnation Amid Rising Demands
The HRC, New Zealand's primary health research funder, allocates around NZ$120 million annually, but project grants—capped at NZ$1.2-1.44 million over 3-5 years—haven't adjusted since 2010. Success rates hover below 10%, with most principal investigators securing just one award lifetime.
From 2015-2025, 413 project grants were awarded, roughly half clinical, led predominantly by professors. Yet, high overheads (40-115%) consume budgets: a sample 3-year clinical project might require over NZ$2 million total, leaving minimal for trials after salaries and indirect costs.
Recent HRC moves, like prioritizing clinician-researchers in 2026 grants, offer glimmers, but experts deem them inadequate. Meanwhile, scholarships like Clinical Practitioner Fellowships number only 16 over a decade.
| Funding Aspect | NZ (HRC) | Australia | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Grant Max | NZ$1.44m/3-5yrs | Higher, lower overheads | Full cost recovery |
| Overheads | 40-115% | 20-35% | 80% (20% uni) |
| Success Rate | <10% | Higher | Competitive but supportive |
Challenges for Clinician-Researchers in University Settings
Bolland and Grey's analysis reveals why clinician-researcher paths falter. Post-PhD (age 30-35), professionals face 30+ years needing stable salary support—absent in NZ. University contracts fix low research time; external grants are lottery-like.
- Time Constraints: 0.5 FTE clinical minimum erodes research hours.
- Funding Gaps: No sustained salary post-fellowships; industry variable.
- High Competition: 78-88% investigators on single grants.
- Personal Toll: Out-of-hours work leads to burnout, as authors experienced after decades.
At universities, this hampers supervision of PhDs and postdocs, core to higher ed missions. 
captures the daily juggle.
Explore opportunities via research assistant jobs to enter the field.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
International Comparisons: Lessons from Global Leaders
New Zealand lags starkly. Per capita, Australia funds 3.4x more, UK 4.5x, US 9.7x (2014 data, persistent). Singapore, population-similar, invests NZ$9.6 billion yearly (2026-2030), with NMRC grants up to NZ$13 million and 25% overheads—driving 32% GDP growth vs NZ's 5.2%.
Overseas models support full research time, lower overheads, multi-grant careers. NZ's 1.54% GDP on R&D (0.57% public) trails OECD 3% target.
Singapore investment graphic from the editorial illustrates the gap.
Impacts on New Zealand's Healthcare and Economy
Under-resourcing erodes health gains: fewer trials mean delayed treatments, inequities for diverse populations. Universities lose high-impact papers (downward trend in top journals), biotech startups, and GDP contributions.
Brain drain accelerates: top talents flee to funded havens, straining medical schools. Recent cuts—HRC $17m, Catalyst $12m—fuel exodus, per experts.
Government Reforms: Risks and Opportunities in 2026
October 2025 announcements merge HRC, Marsden into NZ Research Fund (NZRF), aiming simplicity but without boosts, risking delays. Science system advisory group urges investment; fiscal restraint dominates.
Universities brace: performance-based funding shifts emphasize outputs, pressuring clinical programs.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Case Studies
Richards (Otago) warns of 'irrelevance'; Bolland/Grey share mid-career retreats. Auckland's chronic health grants ($5.6m) show pockets of success, but systemic fixes needed.
Advocates call for GDP-proportional rises, lower overheads.
Pathways Forward: Solutions for Sustainable Clinical Research
- Increase public R&D to OECD levels.
- Reform overheads, boost grant values.
- Hybrid funding blending public-private.
- Policy prioritizing clinician-researchers long-term.
Universities can advocate, partner internationally. HRC 2026 opportunities remain viable bridges.
Future Outlook and Calls to Action
Without action, NZ clinical science diminishes, but advocacy could reverse trends. Aspiring professionals: build networks via higher ed jobs, clinical research jobs. Rate experiences on Rate My Professor; seek advice at higher ed career advice.
For recruiters, post openings at university jobs or post a job. Engage in comments below to shape discourse.
