Call for applications
Short-term training grants for research capacity strengthening and
knowledge management (2015)
Submission deadline 12 April 2015
The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) supports low- and
middle-income country (LMIC) researchers in their efforts towards the generation and use of new
knowledge and tools for the prevention, control and elimination of malaria, tuberculosis and
neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The focus of the current TDR strategy is on intervention and
implementation research, aimed at improving the health of those burdened by these diseases.
This short-term training grant scheme is designed to help health researchers or research teams
contribute more effectively to disease control through implementation research, in line with TDR’s
strategy. This is the third round of the TDR grant scheme conducted in 2013 and 2014 as the IMPACT
grant scheme. The focus of this round is on support for research training.
Applications from previous TDR grantees and from women are encouraged.
Expected outcomes
Researchers’ knowledge and/or skills will be improved in finding solutions to the problems that
impede the translation of innovation to health impact. Successful applicants will be equipped to
contribute to long-term achievements and sustainability of research efforts leading to a decreased
burden of infectious diseases of poverty.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
1. Be citizens from a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) and resident there
2. Have been employed by a governmental or non-governmental organization for at least 12
months by the submission deadline
3. Be able to complete the training within 12 months of the start of the grant
4. Provide a clear training plan
5. Be endorsed by the head of the home institution
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Selection criteria
Applicants must:
 Show the relevance of proposed training to their career path or institution’s development
 Demonstrate how the proposed training will address the specific needs or gaps
 Describe the output of the training and how it will be linked to future implementation
research plans
 Indicate how to extend the benefit of the support to the home institution
Evaluation criteria
A panel of external experts convened by TDR will evaluate eligible applications on the following
criteria:
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Public health relevance of proposed training activities in the context of current TDR strategy
(see link below)
Quality of proposed training activities in terms of the applicant’s knowledge, skills or tools
The added value of the training for the applicant and their home institution, i.e. how the
proposed training activities will equip the researcher and the home institution respectively to
contribute to future implementation research plans
The quality of the budget summary and full justification
Examples of eligible activities (this is not an exhaustive list)
The grant will not fund formal academic degree training or acquisition of skills not linked to a
specific training output.
Targeted short-term training on overall implementation research, e.g. Implementation Research
toolkit (http://www.who.int/tdr/publications/topics/ir-toolkit/en/), or on specific issues, e.g.
systematic reviews, data management (quantitative and qualitative), ethics of public health research.
Placements in disease control programmes to understand and address programmatic and operational
issues affecting disease control activities.
An attachment at another institution to develop research skills through participation in ongoing
research activities mentored by a senior researcher.
Workshops on issues related to implementation/operational research and knowledge management,
such as development of operational tools, developing approaches for translating research results into
policy and practice, and harmonization of protocols or guidelines.
Undertaking a systematic or scoping review of a topical issue relevant to the researcher’s future
implementation research plans.
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Cost
Each grant will be up to a maximum of US$ 50 000. The grants will be awarded on a one-time basis
and cannot be extended or funded beyond the 12-month period.
How to apply
Submission deadline is 12 April 2015. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
Applicants must prepare a proposal in English, French o r Spanish using Times New Roman font (12)
and 1.5 line spacing. Only one application may be submitted by each team or individual.
The proposal, together with the relevant endorsements must be submitted online using the WHO
DataCol portal form https://extranet.who.int/datacol/survey.asp?survey_id=3197 and the following
user name: impact2015 and password: grants
Only applications submitted online through this portal will be considered. An active email address is
required to use the portal. A confirmation email will be sent to this address to acknowledge
successful submission.
Applications must be received before midnight (Geneva time) on 12 April 2015. Access to the online
submission portal will not be available after this deadline.
Please contact TDR ([email protected]) if you encounter difficulties during the completion and
submission of the application form, or for any other queries.
The online application form provides information about submission, including the documents to be
uploaded.
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A letter of support from the host/collaborating institution or mentor (as applicable).
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An official letter of endorsement from the home institution, confirming the applicant’s ability
to undertake the proposed training activity, and certifying that the applicant will be granted
leave of absence if required.
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A current summary curriculum vitae including educational and employment history, and
professional achievements (maximum 4 pages).
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Itemized budget with detailed breakdown and justification, indicating other sources of funding
(if any). Note that overheads and remuneration for the principal applicant are not admissible
in TDR grants. The budget must be submitted using the TDR format. This form is available for
download from the TDR website or on request and must be uploaded as a separate file when
submitting the application.
For further information contact: Dr Olumide Ogundahunsi ([email protected])
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Tips for submitting your application
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Assemble the proposal and supporting documentation (including endorsement by the head of
the applicant’s institution, endorsement by partners and the budget) prior to starting the
submission process.
Make sure you are familiar with the DataCol application form, in particular the requested
information and documents, paying particular attention to mandatory fields marked with an
asterisk (*).
Avoid last minute submission as this could overload the system or fail due to problems with
internet connectivity.
Tips for preparing your application
1. Read the call carefully
This may seem obvious, but many applicants do not carefully read a call for applications. Many
applications are rejected because of failure to meet the eligibility criteria in the call. The call stipulates
who may apply, the sorts of training that can be funded and the general requirements for submitting
an application.
2. Read the application form instructions
The online application form provides information and instructions about submission, including the
documents to be uploaded. Instructions about font type and size, line spacing and page limits are
intended to ensure that proposals are standardized and receive a fair review. If instructions are not
followed, otherwise promising applications may be unsuccessful.
3. Carefully write your application and provide the information requested
Make sure that you explain in enough detail in your application how it meets the selection criteria.
4. Make sure your budget is realistic and only includes allowable costs
Ensure that the costs provided are reasonable and within the budget limit. If you have other sources
of funding, provide the amounts and sources.
5. Carefully review your application for completeness, grammar and spellings
Grammatical and spelling errors make review of your application more difficult. Read and re-read
your application. Ask a colleague to review your application.
6. Make yourself familiar with the topics of implementation research and research capacity
strengthening
Your application is likely to be strengthened if you have a good grasp of the topics of implementation
research and research capacity strengthening.
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Useful background literature includes the following:
TDR Strategy
Implementation research
Implementation Research Toolkit. (2014). UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for
Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR).
Peters DH, Tran NT, Adam T. (2013). Implementation research in health: a practical guide. Alliance
for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization.
Fundamentals of Implementation Research. (2012). USAID and Measure Evaluation.
Research capacity strengthening
Bates, I., Boyd, A., Smith, H., and Cole, D. C. (2014). A practical and systematic approach to
organizational capacity strengthening for research in the health sector in Africa. Health Research
Policy and Systems, 12(11), 1-10
Cole DCC, Boyd A, Aslanyan G, Bates I. (2014). Indicators for tracking programmes to strengthen
health research capacity in lower- and middle-income countries: a qualitative synthesis. Health
Research Policy and Systems. 12:17
ESSENCE (2014). Seven Principles for strengthening research in low-and middle-income countries:
simple ideas in a complex world.
Bates I, Taegtmeyer M, Squire SB, Ansong D, Nhlema-Simwaka B, Baba A, Theobald S. (2011).
Indicators of sustainable capacity building for health research: analysis of four African case studies.
Health Research Policy and Systems, 9(1), 14
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