Global health trials scheme

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Purpose

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 they are investing a total of £36 million to 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.

This fund will be awarded through three annual calls for proposals, each committing £12 million. The costs will be shared equally between the three funders.

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 focused on late-stage (phase III/ IV) efficacy and effectiveness trials. 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.

Successful applicants to the first and second calls launched under this scheme will be announced shortly. We are now pleased to jointly announce the launch of the third call for proposals under this initiative.

What's included

A total of £12 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 Je-S system will be available for applicants to complete the outline proposal form from 9 May 2012.

The MRC must receive your outline proposal by 4pm on 11 September 2012.

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: 4pm 11 September 2012
Full application deadline: Likely to be February 2013 (date to be confirmed)

Contacts

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Marta Tufet at the Wellcome Trust: m.tufet@wellcome.ac.uk.