Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust

News for applicants

Changes for Applicants: The Trust Board met on the 27th July to approve travel grants. The Board also discussed and approved changes for applicants seeking funds to support projects and equipment, and travel to conferences.

(1) There will be a one year stand-down period for successful applicants for projects/equipment and, separately, for travel, thus successful applicants in each category may apply every second year. (2) Applications for travel will no longer be accepted for travel occurring before the Trust Board decision dates (ie no retrospective funding); thus for the March 1st closing date for applications, travel must take place after the April 30th; for June 1st closing date, travel must take place after 31st July; and for October 1st closing date, travel must be after 30th November. (3) The term for projects will be reduced from 3 years to 2 years (in effect this change will not affect applicants as it is some years since a 3 year project grant was awarded). (4) Senior PhD students will no longer be eligible to apply for project grants. These changes are will take effect from next year, beginning with the March/April funding round.
The Board is especially pleased to announce a change in the name of the Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Scholarships in Medical and Health Sciences. In honour and recognition of the long and outstanding service of Dr Jim Hodge to the Trust, these Scholarships will henceforth be named the James Hodge M & P Paykel Trust Scholarships in Medical and Health Sciences.
Finally the Board approved funding for travel and conference support totalling $79,800, significantly increased from the previous year ($64,963). The number of applications was similar to last year at 73 (78 in 2016) and the standard judged to be particularly high. Forty two applicants received grants-in-aid (47 in 2016).

The Office of the MPPT has moved from Parnell to Grafton and our contact details have changed. The office is at 89 Grafton Rd, the new phone number is 09 379 5316, the postal address is PO Box 110008 Auckland Hospital 1148, and the email address for all Trust correspondence is now zn.tppm@tppm.

Project & Equipment Grants

Grants are provided for health-related research projects, including those in the basic biomedical sciences. Project grants are usually for one year; equipment grants buy bench equipment or larger items for shared use within research groups.

Travel Grants

Travel grants enable health-related research workers to attend scientific meetings in other centres, to visit research colleagues or for laboratory training in relevant research techniques.

Conference Support Grants

These grants help New Zealand institutions or professional organisations to host scientific conferences in health-related fields. Priority is given to conferences with an emphasis on research and research training. Conference support grants are not available for personal travel to conferences, for which a travel grant application should be made.

Scholarships & Fellowships

The Trust supports selected trainees in New Zealand health science faculties. There are limited studentships, scholarships, fellowships and research training awards available and these are managed through the institutions concerned.

About the Maurice & Phyllis Paykel Trust

The Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust was established in 1973 by the late Mr. Maurice Paykel, philanthropist and co-founder of the Fisher and Paykel group of companies.

It is a charitable trust dedicated to the improvement of health through the support of research and sponsorship of research trainees in the health-related sciences.

The trust began distributing funds in 1975. Grants have been allocated each year since 1977, supporting projects in a broad range of health fields. A scientific committee assists the Trust Board with the ranking and selection of projects for financial support.

In 1980 the trust was incorporated as a charitable body under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957.

Maurice Paykel 1914 – 2002 »

Purpose of the Trust

The trustees have discretionary use of trust funds to advance medical or paramedical science, including research and education.

In practice, most expenditure is on research projects and the training of health research workers, including travel to scientific meetings and attendance at training courses.

Charitable Donations

The Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust was originally empowered to make a limited number of general charitable donations each year, but lost this ability when Maurice Paykel died in 2002. Since then the sole function of the trust has been to support health research.

Another trust was established by Mr Paykel to provide an independent source of funds for general charitable donations. This is a separate charitable body, incorporated in 1982 and known as the Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust. Further information about this trust is available on its website, www.paykelcharitabletrust.co.nz.