Mobile Health: Technology and Outcomes in Low and Middle Income Countries (NIH, R21)

The purpose of this funding is to encourage exploratory/developmental research applications that propose to conduct research to develop or adapt innovative mobile health (mHealth) technology specifically suited for low and middle income countries (LMICs) and determine the health-related outcomes associated with implementation of the technology.

Of highest interest are innovative, well-designed multidisciplinary projects that aim to generate generalizable knowledge for the field.

The overall goal is to contribute to the evidence base for the use of mobile technology to improve clinical outcomes and public health while building research capacity in LMICs and establishing research networks in this area.

Applicants are required to propose partnerships between at least one U.S. institution and one LMIC institution and the proposed research plan should strengthen the mHealth research capabilities at the LMIC institution.

Important Points for Consideration:

• If the mHealth intervention or tool aims to produce a specific clinical outcome, applicants should incorporate appropriate biological endpoints and/or observational behavioral data to measure this outcome.
• Interventions that aim to produce behavior change should be based on existing social and behavioral science theories.
• The interventions or tools studied should take advantage of the unique functionality of mobile and wireless devices. Utilization of real-time data collection and feedback is encouraged where appropriate.
• New software, devices, and systems should be interoperable with existing infrastructure and resulting data should integrate with relevant health information systems where applicable.
• The reliability, safety, simplicity, affordability and power requirements of new technology being studied should be considered in the LMIC context where it will be used.

Eligibility: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply ( but must partner with a US institution) 

Budget: Applicants may request up to $125,000 direct costs per year.    

Duration: The maximum project period is 2 years.

Deadline: August 31 2017

Full details: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-16-292.html

Zika Virus (ZIKV) Complications (NIH, R21)

The purpose of this funding is to provide support for research on Zika virus (ZIKV) and its complications.
The R21 activity code is intended to encourage new exploratory and developmental research projects. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research.

Areas of high priority include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Demonstrate the causative role of infection in pregnancy with ZIKV in the etiology of fetal microcephaly, structural brain defects, and other congenital malformations
• Basic research to understand the ZIKV infection pathogenesis and transmission to the fetus, whether in-utero, postpartum, or breastfeeding
• Population-based studies to characterize the epidemiology of ZIKV infection in the mother-infant dyad
• Clinical studies to improve the understanding of the mechanisms and risks of maternal-to-child transmission of ZIKV
• Determine the timeline for when and how women transmit ZIKV to the fetus
• Strategies to prevent transmission of ZIKV to the fetus after infection in the mother
• Studies to determine the optimal screening for and management of ZIKV infection in pregnant women and in exposed fetuses
• Studies to understand the mechanisms by which ZIKV affects the developing nervous system and other organ systems
• Studies to characterize the association of ZIKA virus infection with ocular phenotypes
• Research to develop lab-based or point-of-care diagnosis for ZIKV using saliva as a biofluid
• Studies to characterize the outcome of viral infection on craniofacial skeletal and dental phenotype with or without microcephaly
• Studies to understand pregnancy outcomes in women infected with ZIKV
• Studies to identify sequelae in infants infected with ZIKV as well as potential sequelae in exposed but uninfected infants
• Strategies to identify neurologic and other manifestations in infants with and without microcephaly such as developmental delays and other neurologic or physical disorders
• Studies to assess and characterize the natural history and long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of ZIKV infection in children
• Strategies to identify effective treatments for exposed infants with and without microcephaly as they develop into childhood.  Such strategies must take into account cultural acceptance and resources.
• Investigations of mediating and moderating factors affecting variability in neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and socio-emotional impact of ZIKV exposure on infants prenatally and postnatally
• Develop novel, simple, feasible and cost-effective testing methods and/or strategies for infection screening during pregnancy
• Develop novel, simple, rapid, feasible and cost effective testing methods and/or strategies for infection screening in the infant
• Develop culturally sensitive strategies to increase knowledge about the relative efficacy of contraceptive methods, and use that knowledge to plan for pregnancy
• Strategies to integrate the discussion of risk of ZIKV infection into contraceptive counseling and pre-pregnancy and prenatal care at medical facilities in ZIKV endemic areas
• Determine long-term implications of ZIKV infection in non-pregnant women and men including impact on fertility and subsequent pregnancy
• Studies to ascertain if ZIKV is present in reproductive fluids such as semen, cervical mucus, vaginal secretions and/or follicular fluid; persistence of ZIKV in these fluids; and the mechanisms by which ZIKV enters the reproductive tract Studies to understand ZIKV infection in the testis
• Studies to understand ZIKV infection in the testis
• Studies on effects of ZIKV on in vitro fertilization
• Studies on whether ZIKV can be transmitted by direct sexual contact or artificial reproductive technology procedures
• Once causality is demonstrated, studies on vaccine development in pregnant women and children
• Once causality is demonstrated, development of methods to explain risk of ZIKV infection and  
• risk of harm to the fetus to pregnant women and women who are planning to become pregnant.
• Basic research to understand ZIKV infection, replication, pathogenesis, transmission, immune
• responses and immunological interactions with other flaviviruses
• Studies on the evolution and emergence of ZIKV including the identification of factors that affect
• host-range and virulence
• Natural history studies of ZIKV in mosquitos, non-human primates and humans, with particular
• emphasis on hosts(s) reservoirs and cross-species transmission
• Basic research on the biology of the mosquito vectors, vector competence studies for replication
• and transmission of ZIKV, host-virus interaction and studies on novel vector control methods
• Development of novel diagnostic, vaccine and therapeutic strategies against Zika
• Characterization of the prevalence of the virus among blood donors in different geographical regions
• Studies of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), encephalitis or encephalomyelitis associated with ZIKV infection to determine disease course and outcomes, causality, disease mechanisms, effectiveness of current treatments and to develop novel treatments
• Studies to understand the effects of ZIKV infection on the development of epilepsy and its sequelae
• Studies related to both the short and long-term effects of Zika virus infection on hearing.

Eligibility: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply.

Budget: Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over the two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year.   

Duration: The maximum project period is 2 years.

Deadline: October 16 2017

Full details: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-17-085.html

Research to Advance Vaccine Safety (NIH, R01)

The purpose of this funding is to support research that will contribute to the overall understanding of vaccine safety.

This research opportunity encourages studies that address scientific areas potentially relevant to vaccine safety such as:
 1) physiological and immunological responses to vaccines and vaccine components
 2) how genetic variations affect immune/physiological responses that may impact vaccine safety
 3) identification of risk factors and biological markers that may be used to assess whether there is a relationship between certain diseases or disorders and licensed vaccines
4) creation/evaluation of statistical methodologies for analyzing data on vaccine safety, including data available from existing data sources such as passive reporting systems or healthcare databases
5) the application of genomic/molecular technologies and systems biology approaches to evaluate vaccine safety.

( Clinical trials will not be supported.)

Eligibility: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply.

Budget:  Budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Duration: The maximum project period is 5 years.

Deadline: October 5 2017

Full details: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-15-312.html

Indian Council of Medical Research - Biomedical Fellowships

The Council is offering fellowships of one to six months. The fellowships offer opportunities for scientists from developing countries to work in Indian institutes/laboratories.

There are 20 available locations, including: 

• National Institute of Malaria Research in Delhi
• National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad
• Enterovirus Research Centre in Mumbai

Funding: around $40 per day plus return flights to India. Subsidized housing will be available. 

Eligibility: under 45 years old and a university employee 

Deadline: not stated 

More information: http://icmr.nic.in/ihd_research.htm 

Training Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine - Wellcome Trust

This scheme offers research experience and training to early-stage researchers from low- and middle-income countries. The scheme aims to support research that will improve public health and tropical medicine at a local, national and global level.

You can apply for a Training Fellowship in Public Health and Tropical Medicine if you’re a researcher based in a low- or middle-income country. You must want to undertake a guided period of research so that you can consolidate your existing experience and explore new areas of research.

Your research proposal should focus on one of the areas within the Wellcome Trust's public health and tropical medicine remit. 

The Trust will review:

• your research experience
• the quality and importance of your research question(s)
• your knowledge of the scientific area
• the feasibility of your proposal
• the suitability of your choice of research sponsors and environments
• your vision of how this fellowship will contribute to your career development.

Funding: Salary, fees and research expenses covered

Duration: 3 years

Eligibility: early career researchers in a low or middle income country ( this includes Thailand) 

Deadline: 30 November 2017 

More information: https://wellcome.ac.uk/funding/training-fellowships-public-health-and-tropical-medicine 

Stars in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

Grand Challenges Canada ( part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) is seeking bold ideas for products, services and implementation models that could transform how persistent challenges in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health are addressed in low- and middle-income countries.

The bold ideas are expected to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health through one or more of the following pathways: improving use of essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health services; preventing, managing and treating communicable and non-communicable diseases that disproportionately affect pregnant women and young children (e.g., through improving access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation); and improving early childhood development.

Of particular interest are innovations to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in humanitarian contexts, notably among internally displaced and refugee populations, as well as innovations that improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, so that they are empowered and have greater influence over their lives and futures.

Eligibility: people in low and middle income countries ( this includes Thailand) and Canada.

Budget and duration: up to CAD $100,000 for up to 12–18 months to develop and test the proposed innovation

Deadline: 3rd August 2017

More information: 
http://www.grandchallenges.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/20170606-StarsRMNH-RFP-EN.pdf 
http://www.grandchallenges.ca/funding-opportunities/