Deadline for submission: 1 August, 2016
Only applicants from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region are eligible.
The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) are pleased to announce the 2016–2017 call for applications of the Joint EMRO/TDR Small Grants Scheme (SGS) for implementation research in infectious diseases of poverty.
Research priorities
The goal of the TDR strategy is to foster research on infectious diseases of poverty that lead to health improvement, strengthen research capacity of the individuals and institutions in developing countries, and develop implementation strategies and solutions that respond to health needs of these countries. It also aims at translating research results into policy and practice by improving health and promoting the engagement of individuals and communities in using research evidence to reduce the disease burden in their respective countries.
This call supports evidence generated from local research for the prevention and control of tropical diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region countries and takes into account the outcomes of 2 activities at the Regional Office: “Integrating Research in Shaping the Future of Health in the Region” (February 2014); “Regional Health Research Prioritization” (February 2016) as well as programme priorities identified by WHO regional technical programmes, including: neglected tropical diseases, malaria, tuberculosis (May 2016). It emphasizes the importance of using implementation/operational research for ALL priority topics below. In addition, the call welcomes research which links more than one priority in the list mentioned below.
More information about implementation research
2016–2017 priority areas
- Testing approaches/interventions to retain a robust TB surveillance system among migrant and internally displaced populations
- Innovative approaches, at country level, to increase HIV detection among TB patients
- Cost–effectiveness of new diagnostic tools for multiple drug resistance (MDR) detection in both public and private heath sectors
- New cost-effective methodologies for establishing quality assurance of malaria laboratory diagnosis
- Best approaches for improving access to malaria interventions, including surveillance for remote, migrant and mobile populations
- Field applications of screening approaches/tools for border/imported malaria
- Role of conventional and newly developed vector control measures in different eco-epidemiological situations, including emergency and urban settings, and outdoor transmission of malaria
- Relationship between the key entomological parameters related to Aedes and arboviral transmission, including examining vector and clinical datasets as part of the regional preparedness and response plan
- Evaluating and comparing preventive measures to reduce/interrupt transmission of leishmaniasis
- Best approaches to confirm interruption of transmission of schistosomiasis and/or onchocerciasis and/or lymphatic filariasis and/or trachoma
- Approaches to elucidate epidemiological features and/or assess the burden and/or evaluate the best case-management protocol for mycetoma
- Innovative approaches to increase detection of new cases of leprosy.
Eligibility criteria
Health care workers and researchers are eligible to apply for this grant, including institutions in regional national tropical/communicable disease control programmes embedded within ministries of health, academic institutions, research institutes; no-governmental organizations (including professional societies and civil service organizations involved in tropical disease research activities). Applications that involve researchers from different institutions, especially from more than one country in the region, are strongly encouraged.
Applications from qualified young researchers, female researchers and under-represented countries are also strongly encouraged.
Selection process
Proposals will be selected on a competitive basis by external reviewers and WHO staff in the Regional Office and TDR. Scoring will depend on scientific merit and the public health impact of the project. Publications resulting from the supported projects and data are required to follow the WHO open-access policy, and should clearly refer to the Joint EMRO/TDR Small Grants Scheme support indicating grant number.
Funds: US$ 10 000–15 000 per grant. Co-funding from domestic or other sources is encouraged.
Study duration: 1 September 2016–31 August 2017.
Application deadline: 1 August 2016.
Submission
The completed application form should be signed by all investigators and submitted by e-mail to: Coordinator, Research Development and Innovation and TDR Focal Point, WHO Regional Office at:
Related links
Research promotion and development
Regional operational research supported by TDR
