REGIONAL NETWORK FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH IN EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA The Regional Network for Equity in Health in Southern Africa (EQUINET)promotes policies for equity in health across a range of priority theme areas (See www.equinetafrica.org) EQUINET through the Health Economics Unit University of Cape Town, Cape Town South Africa invites applicants for medium scale research grants (of up to £9000 each) for experienced individuals working in the field of health care financing in East and Southern Africa. Interested participants are encouraged to submit proposals for the development of country level case studies and to undertake research on a particular area of resource mobilisation or mechanisms for strengthening cross-subsidies in the overall health system. This area of work contributes specifically to the ‘fair financing’ work which is one of EQUINET’s priority work areas. Possible areas of research include: · Individual health financing strategies such as: · impact of the removal of user fees; · sustainability and equity of pre-payment schemes; · equity impact of changes in donor funding mechanisms; · impact of debt relief on health care financing. · Implementation of mechanisms for improved cross subsidies in overall health system financing (e.g. mechanisms for equalising risks between separate health insurance or pre-payment schemes; and mechanisms for addressing public-private mix disparities); · Impact of differentiated hospital amenities on equitable health care financing; and · Equity oriented legislation relevant to health financing and its implementation in the private for-profit health sector The application should be made jointly by the applicant and the institution that they are affiliated to. Grants will only be awarded to institutions in the East and Southern Africa region. Applicants are expected to have experience in health, health equity, and health care financing. Those active in EQUINET work are encouraged to apply. The proposals must be submitted by 5 May 2006 and the feedback will be provided by May 17 2006. Applicants may be asked to respond to and make revisions based on peer reviewer comments on their proposals prior to award of grants. The country level research is expected to begin on 1 June 2006, and a draft report must be submitted by 30 August 2007, and the final report will be due on the 30th of November 2007. Applications should include : · The research proposal setting out clearly the background, aims, methods to be used, expected data to be gathered and analysis to be implemented, relevant ethical clearances to be obtained and how the results will be reported and used · A brief CV of the applicant · The name and full contact information of the institution which the individual is affiliated to · An example of the written work of the applicant Applications be submitted to admin@equinetafrica.org and copied to vmutyam@heu.uct.ac.za with RESOURCE MOBILISATION GRANTS in the subject line or by fax to EQUINET resource Mobilisation grants on +27 21 448 8152 By 5 May 2006. The focal point for queries on this programme is Vimbayi Mutyambizi at the Health Economics Unit University of Cape Town, Cape Town South Africa.