FIRST CALL CLOSES ON MARCH 31 2004. THE BEST APPLICANT WILL QUALIFY FOR
SUPPORT TO ATTEND THE EQUINET JUNE 2004 CONFERENCE IN DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA

This briefing describes the new programme of student research grants in
EQUINET and invites applicants for the first round of grants.

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 has over the years, organized its
work in various theme areas, including: economic and trade policy and
health; human rights, governance and participation, equity in health sector
responses to HIV/AIDS, human resources for health; monitoring and
surveillance and others. Within these areas of work EQUINET aims to
identify, recruit and build capacity and analysis. After a successful
pilot initiative in 2003 in co-operation with the Malawi Health Equity
Network member in the EQUINET steering committee, EQUINET has now launched a
programme of student research support that provides small research grants
for students at college or university in various programmes in east and
southern Africa. The programme will give priority to student research
applicants who propose projects in areas of research relevant to EQUINETs
priority areas of theme work, and who provide evidence of supervision from
expertise in these areas.

This first round of the EQUINET student research grant programme (SRGP) is
being implemented in February 2004. EQUINET will award a number of small
grants to post graduate students and undergraduate students in East and
Southern Africa for research proposals in the areas of
? Equity in Human Resources for Health
? Equity in health sector responses to HIV/AIDS and treatment access
? Using health rights as a tool for equity in health
? Health equity in economic and trade policies
? Fair financing in health
? Governance issues in health equity
? Understanding and analyzing policy processes
? Equity issues in food security and nutrition

The grants are for students to carry out supervised, small research projects
in the course of their studies and are set at a maximum of $750. Applicants
are requested to provide brief information in 2-3 pages on
? The name, institution, course and year of study of the student
? The name, department and institution and contact email/fax for the
proposed supervisor for the study
? The theme area of the proposal
? The hypothesis, research question or research objective(s)
? The methods to be used, and indicators / (quantitative, qualitative
information) to be collected and the intended analyses to be carried out
? The time frames and budget
The application should be made jointly by mentors / supervisors and their
students. The grants will be open to all EQUINET members, undergraduate
and postgraduate students, students from all disciplines. Applications
should be submitted to admin@equinetafrica.org with STUDENT GRANTS in the
subject line or by fax to 263-4-737220 by March 30 2004.

In this round the student providing the project proposal rated highest on
grounds of analytic and technical quality and relevance will qualify to be
supported to attend the EQUINET conference in Durban South Africa, June 8-9
2004 (see www.equinetafrica.org) and formally granted their award at the
Conference.

The selection of grants will be made on the basis of relevance of subject
area and quality of proposal but with some attention to ensuring equity in
the distribution of grants across countries in the region. Applications in
French or Portuguese will be considered.

EQUINET web based resources, newsletter and expertise in the theme areas
will be available to the students. The reports of the research projects
will be made available on the EQUINET website. Publication from the research
is encouraged, with acknowledgement of the support from EQUINET. EQUINET
will also have the right to use the research in its theme work and will
encourage the students participation in future EQUINET activities and
information exchange.

Focal points for queries on this programme are Dr R Loewenson/G Musuka at
the EQUINET Secretariat (TARSC) and Dr A Muula at the Malawi College of
Medicine/ Malawi Health Equity Network. Please send queries through
admin@equinetafrica.org. For general information on EQUINET and its work
please visit our website at www.equinetafrica.org or email the secretariat
at admin@equinetafrica.org.