SOURCE: http://www.afronets.org Small Grants Programme to Develop Health Policy and Systems Research -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research announces its 3rd call for Research for Policy Grants. The topic for this round is Health System Development and Scaling-Up Priority Services. Research proposals should aim to improve health in low and middle in- come countries through applying quantitative and/or qualitative meth- ods to the understanding and explanation of critical issues in the scaling-up and integration within national health systems of priority health services and disease control programmes. The call and format is attached and can also be found in the Alliance Web site together with guidelines for application. Deadline: 30 June 2003 Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research World Health Organization CH 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland Website: http://www.alliance-hpsr.org -- Research to Policy Grants Health System Development and Scaling-Up Priority Services Call for Proposals Third Round 2003-2004 Deadline: 30 June 2003 In collaboration with the World Health Organization, an initiative fostered by the Global Forum for Health Research 1. Introduction The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research was established in November 1999 as an initiative sponsored by the Global Forum for Health Research in collaboration with the World Health Organization. The Alliance aims to promote the generation, dissemination and use of knowledge for enhancing health system performance. One of its strate- gic objectives is to stimulate the generation and synthesis of knowl- edge, encompassing evidence, tools and methods. To achieve this ob- jective the Alliance has been offering Research to Policy Grants in high priority areas. The Alliance calls for its third round of proposals for Research to Policy Grants aimed to support capacity development, good quality re- search and its impact on policy in low and middle income countries. 2. Objective of the third round for proposals Research proposals should aim to improve health in low and middle in- come countries through applying quantitative and/or qualitative meth- ods to the understanding and explanation of critical issues in the scaling-up and integration within national health systems of priority health services and disease control programmes. The following are offered as examples of possible topics and ap- proaches: * Analysis of options for and impact of integrating scaled up prior- ity health services and disease control efforts within existing health systems and health reforms, including sector wide approaches, decentralisation and social mobilization. * Analysis of constraints to scaling up priority health services and disease control programmes, on both demand and supply sides, and how to overcome constraints including those related to human resources * Analysis of how approaches to the health system functions of regu- lation, organisation, financing and delivery of services can be ad- justed to give greater focus on priority health services and disease control * Analysis of the policy process at national and/or local levels with respect to scaling up priority health services and disease control, including the interests of those involved, their relative power, and the extent to which this supports or hampers scaling up * Analysis of the options and consequences of the participation of private providers in priority health services and disease control strategies * Evaluation of options for the allocation and management of substan- tial additional resources for priority health services and disease control to non-traditional health sector actors e.g. NGOs, the for profit private sector, community groups etc. 3. Grants Financial support will be provided to teams of experienced research- ers and policy/decision-makers from low and middle income countries to undertake research projects with a duration of one year or less and involving collection of new data or analysis of existing data- bases. Proposals should be based on a sound analysis of existing knowledge and should justify relevance for policy making. Researchers should identify how policy makers or stakeholders will be involved through strategies to ensure relevance and take-up of results. Budgets should not exceed USD 25,000 and should be fully justified. 4. Selection process The Alliance Board will select applicants on the basis of peer review of proposals. The criteria to be applied are scientific merit, rele- vance to country priorities and proposed strategies to ensure take-up of results in the policy process. Applications are particularly encouraged from low income countries having limited research capacity but demonstrating researcher and policy maker commitment to building up capacity in HPSR. Technical support will be available throughout the project to ensure high qual- ity results. 5. Who can apply Research institutions, government agencies involved in policy making, health service providers and civil society organizations are eligible for funding. Applicants should have a well established collaboration with another institution or internal unit leading to the formation of a team with at least one principal researcher and one policy / deci- sion-maker, stakeholder or health service advocate. The supporting member(s) of the team should endorse the proposal through signed let- ters. Proposals will be accepted only from institutions in low and middle income countries, but teams including high income country institu- tions are eligible. Only low and middle income country nationals and institutions will be funded, although travel support can be included for collaborators from high income countries. Principal investigators currently funded by the Alliance as part of previous rounds are not eligible to apply, although they can partici- pate as co-investigators. 6. How to apply * Proposals should be submitted in the format available in the Alliance Web site. * Proposals must be written in English. * The curriculum vitae of the principal investigator should be an- nexed to the proposal. * Proposals should be sent to the Alliance preferably by e-mail as at- tachments to a cover letter. Letters of support can be sent scanned or by post, clearly indicating the name of the principal investigator and the title of the project. Proposals may also be posted if e-mail is difficult. Faxes will not be accepted. * E-mailed or posted proposal should reach the Alliance not later than close of business on 30th June 2003. Send proposals by e-mail to: mailto:alliancehpsr@who.int Please state in the subject heading "Round 3 grants". If mailed by post, send proposals to: Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research Office No. 4123 World Health Organization CH 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland