[afro-nets] MIM/TDR Research Capacity Strengthening Grants 2005

[Dieter Neuvians MD <neuvians@mweb.co.za>]

MIM/TDR Research Capacity Strengthening Grants 2005
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Source: tdr-scientists@who.int
 
Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM)
Call for letters of intent - Deadline: 31 July, 2004
 
 
Introduction
 
The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM), since its launch 
in 1997, has applied a multi-pronged approach to strengthen the 
research capability of African scientists and institutions, and 
to increase the contribution of Africans to research on malaria. 
The overall goal is to enhance the application of research for 
understanding malaria and reducing the disease burden as well as 
to build capacity and create opportunities for developing lead-
ership and research management skills in a cadre of African sci-
entists and public health specialists in their respective insti-
tutions. In the past 3 years, the annual budgets of projects 
funded ranged between US$ 40,000 and US$ 80,000 and around 20% 
of applicants have been successful.
 
On behalf of the MIM and the MIM/TDR Task Force, The UNICEF/ 
UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training 
in Tropical Diseases (TDR) invites letters of intent for re-
search and capacity strengthening grants. The letters of intent 
should propose innovative cross cutting or multidisciplinary re-
search programs. A well outlined training and capacity building 
component must be included in the proposal.
 
The broad areas of interest are listed here under from 1-5. The 
examples given for each area of interest should serve only as 
possible examples and should not inhibit innovative research 
proposals related to malaria.
 
In the past, there has been very limited success by investiga-
tors in developing well-formulated applications focused on ad-
dressing social and behavioural hypotheses and integrating bio-
medical and social science research and capacity building. Ap-
plicants are strongly encouraged to not only focus on the bio-
medical aspects of their grants but to demonstrate a multidisci-
plinary approach.
 
1. Chemotherapy and mechanisms of antimalarial Drug Resistance
 
Goal of MIM support: To enhance the capacity of African scien-
tists and institutions to generate, analyse and collate new 
knowledge for case management, understanding the underlying 
mechanisms and distribution of drug resistance, and conduct 
pharmacogenetic studies. (Examples: 
http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/grants/mim_05_en.htm)
 
2. Pathogenesis and immunology of malaria
 
Goal of MIM support: To provide new knowledge for understanding 
predisposition to severe malarial anaemia, to elucidate the 
mechanisms involved in the development of severe disease and 
protection against malaria, to increase regional capacity for 
training in malaria immunopathology and to evaluate the effects 
of new interventions on malaria specific immunity and predispo-
sition to severe disease. (Examples: 
http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/grants/mim_05_en.htm)
 
3. Vector control and insecticide resistance
 
Goal of MIM support: To establish regional partnerships for 
training in malaria vector biology and control, to enhance ca-
pacity to use more efficient tools for the detection of insecti-
cide resistance and to provide the information needed to evalu-
ate new transgenic or paratransgenic approaches to interrupt ma-
laria transmission. (Examples: 
http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/grants/mim_05_en.htm)
 
4. Health systems research to improve malaria control in Africa 
Goal of MIM support: To increase capacity for malaria related 
social sciences and health systems research that is needed to 
establish partnerships with bio-scientists and national stake-
holders to assist in revising and formulating malaria control 
strategies in Africa. (Examples: 
http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/grants/mim_05_en.htm)
 
5. Research to facilitate malaria control interventions includ-
ing introduction and evaluation of new strategies and policies 
Goal of MIM support: To establish partnerships between public 
health and research institutions to facilitate introduction of 
new and improved interventions, strategies, policies and sur-
veillance systems with potential impact on malaria control. (Ex-
amples: 
http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/grants/mim_05_en.htm)
 
How to apply
 
Letters of intent that build on existing multidisciplinary plat-
forms / networks are strongly encouraged. Applications from sci-
entists and institutions that have not previously benefited from 
MIM support are strongly encouraged to submit letters of intent. 
The principal investigator must be an African scientist working 
in Africa. In conformity with the principles of MIM for enhanc-
ing South-South and North-South collaborations, each letter of 
intent must reflect partnership between, at the minimum, two Af-
rican research institutions. One of these two must be an estab-
lished institution and the other one an emerging institution. In 
addition, at least one non-African research group / institution 
must be involved. The strategy is to synergize facilities and 
competence available in Africa with those in other regions of 
the world.
 
Interested groups are invited to submit a letter of intent of no 
more than 5 pages (size A4 and a minimum font size equivalent to 
12pt Times New Roman) with a description of the research plan, 
the technical and operational feasibility. The letter should in-
dicate the institutional development plan, the team and research 
capacity building perspectives and the existing and proposed 
collaborations with other institutions including those with bet-
ter resourced groups. Evidence of agreement of the collaboration 
groups must be provided.
 
Letters of intent can be submitted in English or French (submis-
sions in French should include a summary in English) and should 
contain the following elements:
 
* Brief description of Institution(s) mandate, structure, staff, 
current activities, research experience
 
* Summary description of a 3 to 5 -year development plan for in-
stitution/group research strengthening: - overall goal, objec-
tives, areas to be developed / expected results / end points, - 
list of activities and proposed time lines
 
* Outline of proposed research project(s): PI, title, objec-
tives, rationale, scientific question being addressed
 
* Individual and group training activities planned: disciplines, 
level and place
 
* Relationship with any ongoing programme, research project, 
network, external funding Research team/institutions involved 
and collaborators - clear outline of links with established re-
search institutions.
 
* Contribution and benefit of each collaborating institution to 
the program
 
* Proposed itemised budget (up to a maximum of $70,000)
 
* Additional sources of support for the proposal, either match-
ing funds or in kind support
 
* One page (maximum) curriculum vitae of the principal investi-
gator
 
Each letter of intent should be prepared and sent as an e-mail 
document file (.doc) attachment to mailto:mimtdr@who.int no 
later than 31 July 2004. The MIM/TDR Task Force will select a 
short list of letters of intent for further development into 
full proposals. Authors of short listed letters of intent will 
be notified by 31 August 2004. Full proposals will be submitted 
by January 15th 2005 and reviewed in March 2005.
 
For additional information, please contact:
 
Manager
MIM/TDR Task Force on Malaria Research
Capability Strengthening in Africa
TDR
World Health Organization
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Tel: +41-22-791-3597
Fax: +41-22-791-4854
mailto:mimtdr@who.int