Seven researchers gained $1,714,369 in Emerging Research First Grants, a fund dedicated to people in the early stages of their research career.
Together, these researchers receive about half of the national share of the emerging researcher funding, with nearly $3.7million awarded nationally to 15 recipients, and announced yesterday.
This is up on last year, when six Otago researchers gained almost $1.5million.
Physiotherapy lecturer Prasath Jayakaran, of Dunedin, was "really excited" to gain $244,828 to continue his research into strabismus, or misalignment
of the eyes.
This "relatively common childhood disorder" affected several thousand children - about 4% of children under 6 years, Dr Jayakaran said.
Trudy Sullivan, a lecturer in health economics at the preventive and social medicine department, has gained a $247,406 grant to explore improving a health-related quality of life tool to help decide which medicines and health technologies to fund.
Ayesha Verrall, of Otago's Wellington campus, has gained $250,000 to undertake further Tb-related research in Indonesia to help in the development of better future vaccines.
Occupational therapist Fiona Graham, of Otago's Wellington campus, received $233,618 to trial an occupational performance coaching intervention, a family-centred approach that helps caregivers support their children with neuro-developmental disabilities to achieve goals of participating more fully in society.
Other grants: Julie Bennett, (Wellington campus), $245,000; Gabriella Lindberg and Janice Chew-Harris (both Christchurch campus), $249,759 and $243,758 respectively.