The primary role of the Chinese Medicine Council of New South Wales (the Council) is to protect the public by managing complaints about conduct, performance and health matters concerning registered Chinese Medicine practitioners practising in NSW and health and conduct matters related to registered students training in NSW.

Under section 41S of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) the Council may establish an Education and Research Account to provide funding for research and education purposes relating to the health, performance and conduct of registered Chinese Medicine practitioners and students.

The Council is seeking expressions of interest for:

• One Research Project up to $50,000 with maximum 18 month duration.
• Two Seed Research Programs up to $5,000 per one Seed Research Program with maximum 12 month duration.

The funding for both the Research Project and the Seed Research Programs is only permitted to cover direct project costs excluding costs related to hiring staff or paying salaries. 

The Chinese Medicine Council of NSW has set “Dry needling & Acupuncture” as their specific research priority for the 2020 Education and Research Grants. The proposed research should cover the following three questions:

• What are the public perceptions of the safety of acupuncture (i.e. Chinese medicine acupuncture) and dry needling?
• What are the differences between acupuncture (i.e. Chinese medicine acupuncture) and dry needling, including clinical treatments, practice standards, regulation, and education?
• What is the relationship between acupuncture (i.e. Chinese medicine acupuncture) and dry needling?

The Council will consider applications for funding in two stages:

• Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI).
• Stage 2 – Submission of proposal (see page 4 Stage 2 – for detailed information about requirements).

Successful applicants will be required to submit full applications by April 2020.

Research Project funding is available to applicants with extensive experience in research (it is not a requirement to be a registered Chinese medicine practitioner). Seed Research funding is available to applicants who are registered Chinese Medicine practitioners (all divisions), and whose principal place of practice is in NSW, and/or registered university students (all divisions) in NSW.  Research Project and Seed funding may be awarded to individuals, groups or institutions.

The Research and Education Grants Guidelines provide further information about the criteria and application process. To apply please use the Application Form.

Applications close on 31 January 2020.