This new programme builds on an earlier capacity building initiative that was successfully completed in 2005. Successful applicants to this programme will receive grants for conducting small-scale research studies, using the policy analysis approach. The research will focus on the implementation of equity-oriented health policies and across the studies the implementation experiences will be analysed with a view to documenting the exercise of power by the various policy actors and the influence of this over the implementation process. Experienced health policy analysts will support the participants to develop study protocols, collect and analyse data, and write-up the findings of their research. After the February 2007 workshop, the participants will have the opportunity to further develop their reports, which will then be subjected to peer review in December 2007 and January 2008. The programme will come to an end in February 2008 when the participants submit their final reports.