[afro-nets] Call: Award of Research Training Grants - 2006

["Jocelyne Bruyere M.D." <bruyerejm@WHO.INT>]

Subject: Call: Award of Research Training Grants - 2006
 
 
Call for Applications for the Award of Research Training Grants - 2006
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Source: TDR-SCIENTISTS@WHO.INT
 
Application deadline: 15 November 2005
 
NOTE: Priority is given to applicants from the Least Developed 
Countries (LDC) as defined by the United Nations, and for appli-
cants requesting local degree registration. The list of LDCs can 
be found at http://www.un.org/special-rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm, 
or requested from TDR. Applications from non-LDC countries will 
be considered only on an exceptional basis. All applicants must 
have permanent employment pre- and post-training.
 
The UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research 
and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) invites applications for 
the award of Research Training Grants (RTG) from individuals who 
are nationals of, and employed in, least developed disease en-
demic countries (LDC) and developing disease endemic countries 
(DEC) with lesser developed research capacities. RTGs are 
awarded, on a competitive basis, for studies leading to a post-
graduate degree, or for acquiring specialized skills. Studies 
must be on one or more of the TDR target diseases - malaria, 
leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and oncho-
cerciasis, African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, leprosy, 
dengue and tuberculosis, in laboratory, clinical, applied field 
research and social science disciplines, relevant to TDR and/or 
to national priorities. See the TDR website at 
http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/workplans for TDR's priority re-
search areas. The training may take place in the home country, 
in another developing country, or in a developed country. TDR 
reserves the right to select the academic institution, research 
programme or TDR-funded Research & Development (R&D) project 
where it is felt the most suitable training can be obtained.
 
See the TDR website at 
http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/workplans/rcsworkplan.htm for the 
work plans of the Research Capability Strengthening (RCS) team, 
Multilateral Initiative on Malaria /TDR (MIM) Task Force and 
other specific calls for research training applications and Ca-
reer Development Fellowships.
 
Capacity building in TDR
 
Research capability strengthening is a cross-cutting program-
matic area of TDR established to promote and fund research 
training and institution development to increase the participa-
tion of developing countries in the development and use of new 
or improved tools for the prevention and control of communicable 
diseases. The long-term mission is to increase research self-
reliance in endemic countries for identifying needs and develop-
ing solutions to public health problems caused by neglected in-
fectious disease s. TDR contributes to the attainment of these 
goals by strengthening research institutions, generating new 
scientific knowledge in biomedical and social sciences and 
building a critical mass of human resources to respond to re-
search and public health needs. Partnerships, networking and 
promoting equal opportunities among DECs constitute the core of 
the RCS strategy and the basis for promoting a gender and geo-
graphically balanced generation of scientists.
 
Eligibility
 
Applications for training must be proposed as an integral part 
of an institution development programme that clearly documents 
the career development plans for the applicant. Following train-
ing, grantees are expected to exhibit scientific expertise in 
their chosen field, promote the development of the home insti-
tute research environment, provide training opportunities, be 
conversant with information and communication systems, and to 
develop collaboration with scientists and institutions in coun-
try and with other countries where possible.
 
Proposals for training will be reviewed on the basis of:
 
(a) relevance of training to home institution and country/region,
(b) research environment in the home institution,
(c) career development plans for the applicant,
(d) research experience of applicant,
(e) previous education sufficient to justify requested training,
(f) recommendation letters,
(g) research project presented,
(h) previous TDR funding and
(i) national commitment to research.
 
 
Training priorities
 
TDR's first priority are applicants from the UN-defined Least 
Developed Countries 
(http://www.un.org/special-rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm). To achieve 
gender balance, applications are especially encouraged from 
women. Applications from researchers requesting support for 
training in their own country or region are given priority. Ap-
plicants requesting local/regional PhD training may also include 
a short attachment abroad ( 6 months) to acquire skills re-
lated to their thesis research not available within their own 
country. Applications are welcomed from individuals working and 
involved in Ministries of Health with responsibility for plan-
ning, implementing and/or evaluating disease control programmes 
related to TDR target diseases. Preference is given to appli-
cants under the age of 35 years.
 
How to apply
 
Please read and carefully follow the instructions below for com-
pleting the application, and do not exceed the page limits. Ap-
plications will be reviewed by a sub-Committee of the Research 
Strengthening Group (RSG) in March 2006, and the results commu-
nicated in April 2006.
 
What an application should include:
 
Researchers who wish to apply for an RTG should send the follow-
ing information, in electronic version only, to the e-mail ad-
dress given below. No application forms are required.
 
1. Full name with the family name underlined.
 
2. Date of birth and nationality. Please include scanned copy of 
information page of passport or official identity document.
 
3. Institution name, full mailing address, phone number, fax 
number and e-mail address (website if applicable) of institution 
where the applicant is employed.
 
4. Educational qualifications, including place and date of 
study, and - if possible - grade obtained. Transcripts and/or 
photocopies of qualifications are not required but may be re-
quested at a later date.
 
5. A description (1 page) of the applicant's current post and of 
the post held immediately preceding the current post.
 
6. A description (2 pages) of the applicant's current research 
interests that includes a clear expression on how the proposed 
training request will contribute to her/his career development 
and future goals. Must be endorsed by home institution director.
 
7. A list of the applicant's publications (with citations), and 
other abstracts or presentations.
 
8. A letter of recommendation from two senior scien-
tists/professors that includes their institutional affiliation, 
address, telephone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses. 
Please include these with the application.
 
9. If the applicant is or has recently been involved with a TDR-
funded project, provide the title of the project and the name of 
the principal investigator.
 
10. Type of training requested, e.g. for studies leading to PhD 
or MSc, or for short-term specialized training; local (within 
the home country), regional (within the region), or abroad in a 
developed country; and discipline and disease of study.
 
11. For applications leading to a PhD, an outline (5 pages maxi-
mum) of the proposed research to be carried out during the 
training, including rationale, objectives and methodology, cit-
ing a minimum of 5 recent references.
 
12. The name(s) and address(es) of institution(s), in order of 
preference, where the applicant would like to study. Please in-
dicate if contact has already been made with these institutions. 
Preference is given for local (home country) training.
 
13. Applicants already registered for a doctoral degree in their 
own countries and who would like to seek support for their the-
sis research should provide evidence of registration, a full 
project proposal (with ethical clearance if necessary), and an 
itemized budget not exceeding US$10,000 total, endorsed by their 
supervisor.
 
14. An endorsement from the Director of the applicant's home in-
stitution testifying to the ability of the applicant to under-
take successfully the proposed studies and certifying that the 
applicant, if awarded TDR support for research training away 
from the home institute, will be granted a leave of absence and, 
on completing the training, will be assured of a post for at 
least three years. The Director must also indicate how the pro-
posed training will strengthen the research capabilities of the 
institution and document the career development plans for the 
applicant. All applicants must have fixed employment.
 
Applicants from countries requiring national endorsement should 
submit their application through proper government channels. All 
candidates should send a copy of their application to the WHO 
Representative's Office in their home country for information 
purposes.
 
All applications must be received by 15 November 2005, by e-mail 
only, at: mailto:RCStraining@who.int.
 
For further information, contact:
 
Steven Wayling
Manager - Research Training
UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme
for Research And Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
mailto:waylings@who.int