Grant Application Instructions

Acknowledgment of Applications

• All grant applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.
• Acknowledgment does not imply acceptance or approval.

Large Grants (≥ $50,000)

• Annual Funding Round: Only considered once a year, typically at the August meeting.
• Deadline: Must be received by 15 July.
• Funding Disbursement: Successful applicants can typically expect a decision by 15 October and may begin receiving funds from October of the same year, with flexibility for a later date if needed.

Research Grants

• Annual Funding Round: Only considered once a year, typically at the August meeting.
• Deadline: Must be received by 15 July.
• Funding Disbursement: Successful applicants can typically expect a decision by 15 October and may begin receiving funds from October of the same year, with flexibility for a later date if needed.

Smaller Grants (< $50,000)

• Rolling Submissions: Accepted year-round and reviewed at each Trust meeting (typically held quarterly).

Additional Guidance

• Presentation Opportunities (Large/Research): The Trust may invite certain applicants to present their proposals at the August meeting, subject to time constraints and the number of applications received.
• Notification: Applicants are generally notified of outcomes within three months of their application being considered by the Trustees.  Please note that Smaller Grants (under $50,000) are reviewed at each quarterly meeting, while Large and Research Grants (≥ $50,000) are only reviewed annually at the August meeting. (no guarantee is given that timeframes will be met).
  • Urgent Requests: If an urgent decision is required, please include a covering letter explaining why.
• Attachments: Include all relevant attachments as specified in Part 6 of the application form.
• Initialling: If scanning and emailing, or posting, a printed version of the form each page of the printed Application Form (4 pages) must be initialled by the person signing on behalf of the applicant.
• Alignment with Trust Priorities: Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their proposal aligns with the priorities of the Sir Thomas & Lady Duncan Trust:
  • Purpose: To improve the health and/or quality of life for those suffering from neuromuscular disease, particularly those not supported by mainstream health funding or organisations.
  • Mission: The Sir Thomas & Lady Duncan Trust seeks to become a potent philanthropic organisation in the field of neuromuscular disorders by providing funding to:
    • Assist and relieve persons in New Zealand suffering from neuromuscular disorders and the after-effects of such disorders
    • Maintain hospitals, clinics, homes, and equipment where persons suffering from neuromuscular disorders may obtain treatment
    • Assist the work of any institution, society, or body of persons in New Zealand engaged in the investigation of neuromuscular disorders and associated treatments
    • Contribute toward training persons to undertake the treatment of neuromuscular disorders
• Grant Conditions: The Trust may attach specific conditions to any approved grant.
• Accountability Reporting: The Trust may require successful applicants to provide a report or reports and/or a presentation to the Trust in the year or years after a grant is made to inform the Trust of the progress and success of the project or purpose.
• Declined Applications: The Trust does not provide feedback or enter into correspondence regarding declined applications. While all applications are carefully considered, funding decisions are made at the Trustees’ discretion based on alignment with the Trust’s priorities and available resources.