Proposals to examine the Transmission Dynamics of Campylobacter spp. in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)

Proposals responsive to this call will generate data to understand the sources of Campylobacter infection in children in LMICs, and the dynamics of transmission in LMIC communities of interest. Analyses of these data are expected to address the question of whether a human vaccine for Campylobacter is a necessary and appropriate strategy in spite of the complexities associated with auto-immune responses to Campylobacter antigens. Alternatively, are avian Campylobacter vaccines, sanitation and hygiene measures, or behavioral interventions that promote the segregation of young children from domestic birds and animals—alone or in combination—effective in preventing Campylobacter infections in children?

What are the focus countries for this RFP? While we are not defining a set of countries, countries in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa with high rates of childhood under-nutrition are of specific interest.

Eligibility
This is an open solicitation. We welcome submissions from organizations in all sectors (private, NGO, government, academic, and UN). Submissions cannot come from individuals without organizational affiliation.

Award Budget
We will consider research studies that propose appropriate costs for the study length, outcomes, and methods, and that propose strong value for money.

Award Project Period
We will consider research studies that propose a rational timeline from inception to research completion that does not exceed 2 years.

Deadline
Applications due no later than Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 11:30 a.m. U.S. Pacific Daylight

Full details: https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/campylobacter-spp-transmission-dynamics-low-and-middle-income-countries

Defense Health Program Department of Defense Tick-Borne Disease Research Program Anticipated Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2018

Due to the current Continuing Resolution, the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Defense Appropriations bill has not been passed. Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP), the TBDRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

Applications submitted to the FY18 TBDRP must address at least one of the following specific Focus Areas in Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases:

   •     Diagnosis

             ◦    Accurate diagnostics for Lyme disease and co-infections and/or other tick-borne diseases

             ◦    Biomarkers to identify tick-borne diseases or their products in humans

             ◦    Diagnostic biomarkers for Lyme disease that distinguish between active infection and previous exposure, and/or monitor response to treatment

   •     Pathogenesis

             ◦    Immunological mechanisms of immune protection for Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases

             ◦    Complex biology of Lyme borrelia in the host (beyond in vitro studies), including its survival, evasion of the host immune system, and subversion of the effectiveness of antibiotics

             ◦    Biomarkers that aid in exploring underlying mechanisms of persistent symptoms associated with Lyme disease

   •     Prevention

             ◦    Identification, validation, and/or improvement of tick-targeted prevention and control interventions

             ◦    Human vaccines for tick-borne diseases

   •     Treatment

             ◦    Antibiotic combinations and/or therapeutic options for treating acute and persistent illness

Investigator-Initiated Research Award

-To fund highly rigorous, high-impact studies that have the potential to make important contributions to Lyme disease and other tick-borne disease research, patient care, and/or quality of life.

Eligibility- Independent investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent).

Idea Award

-To fund conceptually innovative, high-risk/potentially high-reward research in the early stages of development that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress in improving outcomes for individuals affected by Lyme disease and/or other tick-borne illnesses

Eligibility- Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)

Career Development Award
-   To fund early-career investigators to conduct impactful research under the mentorship of an experienced tick-borne disease researcher.

Eligibility- Principal Investigator (PI):

Investigators within 10 years of completing terminal degree (excluding time in medical residency or on family medical leave) at the time of application submission, working to become independent investigators who exhibit a strong desire to pursue careers in tick-borne disease research; time spent as a postdoctoral fellow is not excluded

Mentor: Independent investigators at or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent); must have a proven publication and funding record in tick-borne disease research

The PI and Mentor do not need to be located in the same organization.
Deadlines and Application Guidelines

FY18 TBDRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018. Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released. 

For more info- http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/press (Look for Tick-Borne Disease Research Program)

NIH Global Infectious Disease Research Training Program (D43)

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: PAR-17-057

Companion Funding Opportunity: PAR-17-058  D71 International Research Training Planning Grant

Funding Opportunity Purpose

This Funding Opportunity Announcement encourages applications for the Global Infectious Disease (GID) Research Training Program from U.S. and low- andmiddle-income country (LMIC) institutions. The application should propose a collaborative training program that will strengthen the capacity of an LMIC institution to conduct infectious disease research. FIC will support research-training programs that focus on major endemic or life-threatening emerging infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, infections that frequently occur as co-infections in HIV infected individuals or infections associated with non-communicable disease conditions of public health importance in LMICs.

Key Dates

• Letter of Intent Due Dates: 30 days prior to the application due date
• Upcoming application Due Dates: July 26, 2018

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

Scientific Merit Review: October 2018, 

Advisory Council Review: January 2019, 

Earliest Start Date:  March 2019

 https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-17-057.html 

e-ASIA Joint Research Program (the e-ASIA JRP) Research Cooperation in the field of “Health Research” On the topic of “Infectious Diseases, Cancer”

The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (hereinafter referred to as the “e-ASIA JRP”) aims to develop a vibrant and collaborative research community in Science and Technology, to promote innovation in the East Asian region, and to contribute to the region’s economic development. As part of the program, the following Member Organizations of the e-ASIA JRP have agreed to implement a joint call for proposals of multilateral cooperative research activities.

Participating Member Organizations (listed in alphabetical order):
1) Cambodia: Ministry of Health (MOH) 
2) Indonesia: Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (RISTEKDIKTI)
3) Japan: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
4) Myanmar: Ministry of Education (MOE) 
5) New Zealand: Health Research Council (HRC)
6) Philippines: Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCHRD)
7) Russia: Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR)
8) Thailand: National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
9) USA: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
10) USA: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

A project consortium must be consisted of at least three eligible research teams from at least three different participating countries listed above. Each research team shall be led by a Principal Investigator (PI), and a consortium shall be led by a Lead Principal Investigator (Lead PI) specified among the PIs. 


Thailand: National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) 
I. Eligibility for Thai applicants The applicants must be researchers and/or university professors/instructors who work in public research institute or university in Thailand, and are competent in conducting a research with international partners. 

Thai researchers can apply for Cancer topics and Infectious Diseases except for HIV and AIDS.

II. Support   The total budget for the Thai researcher over a full 3-year period is up to                   5, 000,000 THB. The budget for a project may differ each year, depending on the content of activities.

III. Evaluation of Project Proposals Proposals will be peer-reviewed, and evaluated by a committee. The final selection will be done by the international selection committee of e-ASIA. 

III.I Evaluation Criteria To be funded, proposals must be internationally competitive. It should lead to the advancement of the research field, or novel applications or increased of research capacity. 

Key evaluation criteria are:

 Significance and impact of the research
 Scientific Rationale: novelty, importance and timeliness of the research 
 Design and feasibility of the project plan
 Partnership: including strength and clarity of collaborations and opportunities provided, quality of the project management structure proposed;
 Quality and suitability of the research environment and of the facilities;

 Ethical considerations and governance arrangements

Key Date- Proposals to be submitted by 26th April 2018 

For more info, visit https://www.amed.go.jp/content/000027248.pdf?utm_campaign=+31117611&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= 

NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) PA-18-488

R03 Small Grant Program

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

January 16, 2018

The NIH Small Research Grant Program supports small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. This program supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement does not accept applications proposing clinical trial(s).

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

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Number of Applications
Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct. 

Award Budget
Application budgets are limited to $50,000 in direct costs per year.

Award Project Period
 The total project period may not exceed two years.  

Link to full FOA https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-488.html

NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) PA-18-489

NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21)

PA-18-489 

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

January 16, 2018

Clinical Trial Not Allowed

The NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant supports exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these 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. 

Eligibility 

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

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

Award Budget
The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year. 

Award Project Period
 The total project period may not exceed 2 years

Link to full FOA https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-489.html 

NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required) PA-18-345

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

January 5, 2018 

The NIH Research Project Grant supports a discrete, specified, circumscribed project in scientific areas that represent the investigators' specific interests and competencies and that fall within the mission of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). 

Clinical Trial Required: Only accepting applications that propose clinical trial(s)

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

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Follow link to full FOA https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-18-345.html