Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare RFP

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth 

New Zealand’s Health Research Council will invest $5 million in health research centred on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Request for Proposals says the initiative is focused on AI as a potentially transformative technology to support delivery of timely access to quality healthcare for New Zealanders.

“The HRC is seeking to fund investigator-led research that will directly address priorities identified in the Government Policy Statement on Health 2024 – 2027. Proposals must clearly identify the health need or healthcare area where AI can be leveraged safely and ethically to improve health outcomes in the New Zealand health system,” the RFP says.

HRC director investments Stacey Pene tells eHealthNews the funding initiative aligns with health system priorities and aims to support the safe and ethical implementation of AI technologies.

“We recognise the immense potential of AI to improve healthcare delivery, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and personalise treatment plans,” he says.

“Robust research is crucial for ensuring these technologies are deployed effectively, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all.”

When asked about what areas of research the HRC is particularly interested in, he explains there is a wide range, including research that investigates how AI can streamline processes, reduce wait times, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery, to improve access, timeliness, and quality of care.

“Another potential area is research on improving diagnostic accuracy and personalised treatment through use of AI-powered tools for early disease detection and predictive analytics,” says Pene.

The HRC is encouraging applicants to consider a collaborative approach when developing their proposals, including a range of disciplines in the research team to ensure effective knowledge transfer and uptake.

“The proposed research must demonstrate strong collaboration with health system policy and decision makers, and a clear link to improving the provision of healthcare within the New Zealand health system,” it says.

From the total funding pool of $5 million, the HRC expects to fund a range of projects across three grant tiers: small projects up to $100,000 over six to 12 months; medium projects up to $400,000 over 12 to 18 months; and large projects up to $700,000 over 18 to 24 months. 

Successful applicants will be able to start immediately from August 2025.

The RFP closes on Wednesday, 23 April 2025.

HiNZ is holding a Digital Health AI Summit on May 20-21 in Wellington, read the details and apply to attend online.

To comment on or discuss this news story, go to the eHealthNews category on the HiNZ eHealth Forum

You’ve read this article for free, but good journalism takes time and resource to produce. Please consider supporting eHealthNews by becoming a member of HiNZ, for just $17 a month

Read more Analytics news

Return to eHealthNews.nz home page