Global health trials scheme
Purpose
We are now pleased to jointly announce the launch of the fourth call for proposals under this initiative.
The Wellcome Trust, the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the UK Department for International Development are committed to strengthening the evidence base for improving health in low- and middle-income countries. Together we are investing a total of £15 million for the fourth call of this initiative to fund late-stage trials of interventions that will help improve health in these countries, by addressing the major causes of mortality and morbidity. The costs will be shared equally between the three funders.
The scheme is focused on late-stage (equivalent to phase III/IV) clinical and health intervention trials evaluating efficacy and effectiveness. However, Phase IIb trials of major relevance to the objectives of the call may be considered. If you are considering submitting a Phase IIb stage trial please consult one of the partner agencies involved for further guidance. The scheme is aimed at funding Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs), although other types of methodologies may be used alongside the RCT to explore implementation and operational issues.
The scope of the scheme includes, but is not limited to, behavioural interventions, complex interventions, disease management, drugs, vaccines and hygiene and diagnostic strategies. The scheme is open to the best proposals which address any major health related problem affecting low- and middle-income countries, particularly those that affect the most vulnerable populations. Although the breadth of the scheme is deliberately wide, we particularly welcome proposals for research into chronic non-communicable diseases, in recognition of the increasing burden of these conditions in low- and middle-income countries. We also welcome innovative proposals which address reproductive, maternal and newborn health.
Priority will be given to proposals that are likely to produce implementable results and that are designed to address the major causes of mortality or morbidity in low- and middle-income countries.
What's included
A total of £15 million pounds is available. This amount is expected to fund several awards.
Support may be requested for:
- All research costs that are attributable to the trial
- Cost of hosting trial steering and data monitoring committees
- Training and support for a trial manager.
Costs will be shared equally between the three funders.
Please refer to the MRC website for further costs information.
Eligibility
Trials should be based in low- or middle-income countries. Academic groups based either in the countries where the studies will take place or based in the UK are eligible to apply.
Please refer to the MRC website for more information on the eligibility criteria.
Application process
Applications should be submitted to and will be processed by the MRC on behalf of the three partner agencies.
Outline phase
Applicants are asked to submit an outline proposal in the first instance using the UK Research Council’s Joint electronic Submission (Je-S) System. Please refer to the MRC’s website for further details on how to apply.
The MRC must receive your outline proposal by 16:00 BST on 8 October 2013.
Full proposal phase
If invited, applicants will then be required to complete and submit a full application. We expect that the time between invitation to full application and deadline for submission of full applications will be approximately two and a half months.
Applicants who wish to discuss their proposal informally can do so by contacting Dr Marta Tufet at the Wellcome Trust: m.tufet@wellcome.ac.uk.
For more information on the key issues your proposal should address, details of the funding on offer and application and eligibility criteria, visit the Medical Research Council online or email jointglobalhealthtrials@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk.
Deadlines
This is an annual competition.
- Outline application deadline: 16:00 BST 8 October 2013
- Full application deadline: February 2014 (date tbc)
- Decisions: June 2014
Contacts
Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Marta Tufet at the Wellcome Trust: m.tufet@wellcome.ac.uk.
For more information on the key issues your proposal should address, details of the funding on offer and application and eligibility criteria, visit the Medical Research Council online or email jointglobalhealthtrials@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk.