Grant Criteria – Research in DMT
Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation Grants
Criteria for selection of recipients for research of Dance Movement Therapy development grants
Deadline for 2022 Grant Application is Friday 29 April 2022
The Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation grants are awarded to promote research or discrete projects that contribute towards research that advance the field of dance movement therapy (DMT) in some way. This includes grants for projects that are evaluative and/or comprise quality assurance activities that can be drawn on for the foundation of future study. The grants can therefore be used to ‘seed’ initial investigation and enquiry into the field or used to support more well developed projects. From this HEMF has identified three streams from applications received:
i) Research studies;
ii) Projects that assist in the development of the profession such as devising tools that aid in exploring, evaluating and/or practice of DMT.
iii) Providing educational support material, also to aid in the development of the profession.
It is essential that the findings of all will further enhance the understanding, quality and practice of dance movement therapy in some way.
To that end the applicant needs:
• to be a student or practitioner working towards the development of dance movement therapy, in Australasia, whether or not they are members of the Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia (DTAA). Where the applicant is not a qualified DMT, there must be one involved in supervising or leading the dance therapy aspect of the project.
• an idea, or a question about dance movement therapy practice which they are interested in investigating, and which they feel would inform the field,
• to describe the uniqueness of the proposed project and the extent to which the project’s findings may add to the theoretical base,
• to describe the relevance of the research to the therapeutic application of dance in group and individual work (if appropriate),
• outline connections with a group or individual or organisation willing to participate in the project that will potentially offer supervision.
To support the applicant in development of the project, HEMF can provide:
• opportunity for discussion with experienced dance movement therapist/s,
• advise about finding a potential supervisor for the project, if required,
• assistance with the writing of the application.
All projects are to:
• be conducted in Australasia,
• be carried out only into the use of dance movement therapy, or relating to it (e.g. it could be into the use of music for dance movement therapy), to contribute to its unique knowledge base,
• contribute to the understanding and furtherance of the practice of dance movement therapy in Australasia; to broaden the understanding of its effects,
• be completed and reported on to the Foundation via an oral progress report at 6 months, a written draft report at 12 months and final report at 18 months from your start date,
• HEMF will be responsible for disseminating the project findings to the DTAA and any other interested parties,
• Recipients of a grant are encouraged to also find other outlets for publishing their findings once they have been published by the DTAA.
Applying for a Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation DMT Research
or Development Grant.
HEMF has identified three streams for applications and have created separate templates for each application form:
Stream 1:
Research studies. Download Grant Application Stream 1
Stream 2:
Projects that assist in the development of the profession such as devising tools that aid in exploring, evaluating and/or practice of DMT. Download Grant Application Stream 2
Stream 3:
Providing educational support material, also to aid in the development of the profession. Download Grant Application Stream 3
All applications should include:
• a full description of the study or project,
• the importance of the study to the field,
• a literature review of any writings and/or previous research done in the specific area of study
• the theoretical framework underpinning the study,
• evaluation or research methodology,
• an anticipated time frame for completion of the project,
• budget,
• qualifications of the researcher and supervisor (if appropriate)
• how the results will be recorded and disseminated
• and be accompanied by two letters of support from suitably qualified professionals.
Research Knowledge and Skills
All applicants should list any research or evaluation experience that they have as this will increase their chances of being awarded a grant for their project. For those who would like more knowledge in this area, the DTAA Research Committee conveners Sue Mullane and Ella Dumaresq currently offer a monthly research forum webinar to DTAA members on a Wednesday 7.30-8.30 pm (AUS.EST); see www.DTAA ‘Events and training’. MOOCS also have free on-line training.
Grant Writing Skills
Visit HEMF research resources here for a paper on grant writing. It is highly recommended that applicants attend a grant writing workshop. DTAA runs these annually so please check the events page for details.
Code of Ethics:
• All applicants for the three streams must comply with the DTAA Code of Ethics (http://dtaa.org.au/about/ethics).
• Where the research or discrete projects are conducted with clients, a therapeutic contract must be established between the client (where possible) or parent, guardian or appropriate authority. This contract must be mutually agreeable between the client, or their agent, and therapist and contain therapeutic goals, procedures, conditions of termination and the length of time the contract will exist. It should also state that the report of the project will not reveal personal details of the clients and that the clients are in agreement with the publishing of the report under such conditions of confidentiality.
• For applicants who are not within a recognized institution with an Ethics committee, HEMF will assist as follows a) connect applicant with an appropriate institution with an ethics committee or b) refer applicant to an Ethics committee drawn together by HEMF.
• All researchers are required to abide by principles of professional conduct, responsibility and confidentiality.
• The researcher
o will not misrepresent their level of training,
o will present a high standard of personal conduct in professional practice,
o where the research is to be carried out with clients, will safeguard the needs of their clients physically, mentally and emotionally and respect the rights and dignity of the individual, serving all in a non-discriminatory manner where the research is to be carried out with clients,
o will comply with all procedures, ethical requirements and practices of the parent organisation,
o will treat all client information confidentially and only discuss it with other professionals involved in the care of the clients concerned.
• Where applicable, the anonymity of the subjects and places of your research must be preserved in the final report.
• HEMF will not publish the findings or reports of any grant recipient who breaches the code of ethics nor would we ever consider them for any future grants.
Additional Ethics information can be obtained via the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007
Tax implications:
The liability of the recipient of a Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation grant for income tax is a matter for decision by the A.T.O. The Foundation has no responsibility or authority in the matter. It is recommended that recipients keep receipts for all expenditure of their grant funds and seek independent advice with respect to their eligibility for claiming tax deductions.
• HEMF will fund the researcher’s time for either or both of the following:
◦ Facilitating the dance therapy sessions for the research study
◦ Carrying out the research study, e.g. data recording, data analysis etc.
◦ This is ONLY IF the researcher is not being paid for these activities by another organization and the selection panel approve it.
• Grant money can be used to finance goods and services related to the project.
• All documents sent to the Foundation for grant applications become the property of the Foundation and unsuccessful applications will be destroyed.
• The gaining of a HEMF Research or DMT Developmental Grant does not contribute towards the completion or acquiring of any formal qualification.
• The decision about the awarding of grants is final.
• The provision of a HEMF Research Grant will be subject to the drawing up of an agreement between the recipient and the Foundation.
• Successful applicants will be notified directly a decision is reached. The agreements will then be signed by the Foundation and recipients and arrangements for payment will be negotiated.
• An announcement will be published in Moving On, the DTAA’s journal, naming the successful applicants and the nature of their projects.
• The findings of the study will be reported in Moving On and on the DTAA website under Hanny Exiner Memorial Foundation. If appropriate, the findings will also be published or reported on in other journals or at suitable conferences and seminars. The researchers may also choose to report on their findings apart from the activities of HEMF and DTAA.
Potential applicants are encouraged to email or phone if they have any questions about a proposed project.
Enquiries: Mandy Agnew: (61) 437 348 808 or email mandy@corewisdom.com.au