The Third South African Tuberculosis (TB) Conference will assess progress towards reaching TB/HIV targets. Abstracts must be in line with one of three tracks. Track 1: Basic Science: This track will focus on improving and expanding the understanding of basic science issues required for the development of new tools and advancing the knowledge base on TB infection. Track 2: Clinical, Epidemiological and Operational Research: This track will focus on the latest findings from controlled clinical trials and research studies aimed at improving the epidemiological, programmatic, health systems and policy components of TB control. Track 3: Patient and Civil Society Mobilisation and Advocacy: This track will focus on achieving broad-based partnerships built on the principles of greater involvement of persons with TB, targeted advocacy, partnerships and the role of civil society in TB control and increasing access to TB diagnosis, treatment and adherence support service.
Jobs and Announcements
The University of Oxford is seeking applications from students ordinarily resident in South Africa for the 2012 Oppenheimer Fund Scholarships to pursue graduate studies in a variety of fields at Oxford. The Oppenheimer Fund Scholarships are available for ordinarily resident South African students wishing to start any new degree bearing course, with the exception of Post Graduate Certificate and Post Graduate Diploma courses, at the University of Oxford.
Applications are now open for African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowships (ADDRF). The overall goal of the ADDRF programme is to support the training and retention of highly-skilled, locally-trained scholars in research and academic positions across the region. The ADDRF will award about 20 fellowships in 2012 to doctoral students who are within two years of completing their thesis at an African university. The fellowships targets doctoral students with strong commitment to a career in training and/or research. Candidates whose dissertation topics address health policy or health systems issues will be given special consideration. There are also three fellowships for doctoral students conducting research on health inequities in urban areas or the reproductive health of marginalised urban communities, and two additional fellowships for students whose research focuses on unintended pregnancy and unmet need for family planning in Africa.
The United Nations (UN) Trust Fund for 2011 invites proposals in the following areas of action: closing the gap on the implementation of national and local laws, policies and action plans that address violence against women; and addressing violence against women in conflict, post‐conflict and transitional settings. For large civil society organisations, governments and UN Country Teams, budget requests should be US$300,000-1 million for the duration of two to three years. For small civil society organisations, especially grassroots women’s organisations and networks, budget requests will be considered for a minimum of US$100,000. Applicants must be from, or working in, countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s list of eligible countries (see www.oecd.org/dac/stats/daclist). The proposal must indicate how the proposed interventions will contribute to national capacity development and ownership of national and local organisations in the implementation. Only one application per country is permitted.
The Red Ribbon Award honours and recognises exceptional grassroots leadership in responding to the AIDS epidemic. Ten community-based organisations will be selected through a community-led process and invited to attend the 19th International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, United States, from 22 to 27 July 2012 where they will have the opportunity to showcase their work. All 10 organisations will receive US$10,000 each. Eligible organisations include grassroots initiatives, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, small non-governmental organisations and organisations of people living with HIV. Themes include: prevention of sexual transmission; prevention among people who use drugs; treatment, care and support; advocacy and human rights; and stopping new HIV infections in children and keeping mothers alive (women’s health).
ACHIEVE is aimed to equip new researchers with the competencies necessary for closing the gap between measuring inner city health inequities and reducing them. The program has two main foci: Population Health and Health Services Interventions Research; and Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Knowledge Translation. Three to five Fellows may be accepted for the 2012-2014 term. To be eligible, you must have a PhD completed within the past three years or a health professional degree plus Master’s level degree (Master’s degree completed within the past three years). If you are currently completing your PhD/ Master’s degree, you must expect to complete all requirements of this degree by 1 September 2012. Acceptance to the programme cannot be deferred.
The Africa Initiative announces a call for applications for the 2012 graduate research grant programme. Grants of up to $10,000 (CAD) will be awarded to 15 African students applying to study in Canada and 15 Canadian students to conduct field-based research in Africa. Applications must be submitted by January 15, 2012. As part of the Africa Initiative, a joint undertaking by The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in cooperation with Makerere University and the South African Institute for International Affairs, the Africa Initiative Graduate Research Grant will give special consideration to proposals that present new and policy relevant research, and that cover one or more of the areas of conflict resolution, energy, food security, health, migration and climate change. Successful applicants who are currently enrolled in an African university will spend up to three months at a Canadian university undertaking research funded by the program. The research will lead to a major paper to be considered for publishing.
The Youth Initiative of the Open Society Foundations (OSF) is currently seeking proposals from eligible registered NGO’s for up to US$10,000 in funding to develop and curate thematic pages on a new global youth portal and community being developed at www.youthpolicy.org. Youthpolicy.org aims to consolidate knowledge and information on youth policies across the international sector, ranging from analysis and formulation to implementation and evaluation. Themes include, but are not limited to: participation and citizenship; activism and volunteering; children and youth rights; youth with disabilities; global drug policy; community work; research and knowledge; informal learning; youth, environment and sustainability; multiculturalism and minorities; and youth justice.
The Healthcare in Africa conference will take place from 6-7 March 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa. It aims to bring together influential healthcare stakeholders from government, providers, suppliers and patient groups to confront and explore key issues around healthcare systems in Africa. Activities include interactive online brainstorming sessions, presentations of case studies and lectures form specialists and other stakeholders in healthcare in Africa. The following topics will be addressed: What is the right balance of private and public healthcare for Africa? How can healthcare systems best meet the demands of both infectious and chronic diseases? What are the best practices for affordable medicine in Africa, and what can be learnt from other emerging markets?
The Ethiopian Public Health Association and the World Federation of Public Health Associations invite public health professionals from around the world to participate in the Thirteen World Congress on Public Health 2012. The theme of the conference is ‘Towards global health equity: Opportunities and threats’. The conference has four main objectives. It is intended to serve as an international forum for the exchange of knowledge and experiences on key public health issues, as well as contribute towards protecting and promoting public health at global, continental and national levels. It is also intended to help create a better understanding of Africa’s major public health challenges within the global public health community and to facilitate and support the formation of the African Federation of Public Health Associations.