Applications Open for PAHO/TDR Impact Grants for Regional Priorities (Latin America and Caribbean)

The 2026–2027 Joint PAHO/TDR Impact Grants for Regional Priorities support implementation research aimed at eliminating communicable diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The programme will fund five research projects, with grants of up to US$30,000 each for studies lasting 12 to 18 months that address regional public health priorities.

About the 2026–2027 Joint PAHO/TDR Impact Grants

The Joint PAHO/TDR Impact Grants for Regional Priorities are jointly launched by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR).

The programme supports implementation research that generates practical evidence to improve disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and health system performance. Its overall goal is to accelerate the elimination of communicable diseases that remain significant public health challenges across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The grants focus on research that can be translated into real-world public health practice and policy.

Funding Information

Successful applicants will receive:

Number of Grants Available: 5
Maximum Grant Amount: US$30,000 per project
Project Duration: 12 to 18 months
Co-funding: Encouraged but not mandatory

Funding supports research activities only.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Strengthen implementation research.
Support communicable disease elimination.
Improve public health programmes.
Generate evidence for policy and practice.
Improve disease prevention and treatment strategies.
Strengthen surveillance systems.
Enhance healthcare delivery.
Support integrated approaches to disease elimination.

Priority Research Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following priority areas:

Tuberculosis (TB)

Research topics may include:

Preventive TB therapy (TPT)
Rapid identification of TB cases
Early diagnosis
Treatment initiation
Treatment success
Mortality reduction
TB management in congregate settings
Integrated TB preventive treatment models
TB programme implementation

HIV and Tuberculosis Integration

Projects may focus on:

Integrated HIV and TB care
HIV testing
Tuberculosis screening
Preventive treatment
Patient management
Care optimisation

Fungal Opportunistic Infections

Research may include:

Histoplasmosis
Cryptococcal meningitis
Diagnosis
Treatment pathways
Programme implementation

Neglected Tropical Diseases

Eligible research areas include:

Leishmaniasis
Chagas disease
Schistosomiasis

Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence

Projects may explore:

Artificial intelligence for TB care
Artificial intelligence for HIV services
Predictive models
Remote patient monitoring
Chatbots
Digital screening tools
Surveillance systems
Data-driven care optimisation

Prevention and Public Health

Research may also focus on:

Screening programmes
Diagnostic strategies
Testing services
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Preventive TB Treatment (TPT)
Public health implementation models

What Is Implementation Research?

Implementation research examines how proven health interventions can be delivered more effectively in real-world settings.

Rather than developing new treatments, it focuses on:

Improving programme delivery.
Identifying barriers to implementation.
Strengthening healthcare systems.
Increasing access to effective services.
Improving patient outcomes.
Supporting evidence-based public health decision-making.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible projects must:

Be conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) within Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Directly address the objectives of the funding call.
Focus on implementation research related to communicable disease elimination.

Principal Investigator Requirements

The Principal Investigator must:

Be based at an institution located in a Latin America or Caribbean country or territory.
Lead a project aligned with the programme’s objectives.
Ensure the proposed research is implemented within an eligible country.

Eligible Research Activities

Funding supports research activities such as:

Implementation research
Public health research
Programme evaluation
Health systems research
Operational research
Digital health innovation
Disease surveillance research
Evidence generation for policy and practice

What Is Not Funded?

The grant does not support:

Routine treatment services
Routine healthcare delivery
Standard clinical services unrelated to research

Research activities may complement healthcare programmes funded by other organisations, but grant funding is restricted to research.

Required Supporting Documents

Depending on the project, applicants may need to provide:

Authorization letter from the public health manager or health centre director (if implementation occurs in a health facility)
Ethical committee approval (when required)
Acknowledgment letter from the relevant public health or healthcare programme manager

Applicants should ensure all required documentation is included before submission.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that:

Your institution is located in an eligible LAC country or territory.
The project focuses on implementation research.
The proposal addresses one or more programme priorities.

Step 2: Develop the Research Proposal

Prepare a proposal that clearly explains:

Public health problem
Research objectives
Implementation strategy
Study methodology
Expected outcomes
Timeline
Budget

Demonstrate how the research will contribute to disease elimination.

Step 3: Obtain Required Approvals

Where applicable, obtain:

Health facility authorization
Ethical approval
Public health programme acknowledgment

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic research budget of up to:

US$30,000

Include only research-related expenses.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Submit the completed proposal together with all required supporting documents according to the programme guidelines.

Why This Grant Matters

Communicable diseases continue to affect millions of people across Latin America and the Caribbean.

This programme helps researchers:

Improve disease control programmes.
Strengthen healthcare systems.
Generate practical evidence.
Support policy development.
Improve access to diagnosis and treatment.
Promote integrated public health approaches.
Accelerate disease elimination efforts.

Implementation research bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and real-world healthcare delivery.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

Selecting a priority research topic.
Demonstrating clear public health relevance.
Developing practical implementation strategies.
Including measurable outcomes.
Building partnerships with health authorities.
Preparing a realistic budget.
Securing all required approvals before submission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

Proposing routine healthcare services instead of research.
Failing to align the project with programme priorities.
Omitting required authorization letters.
Forgetting ethical approval when required.
Preparing unrealistic timelines or budgets.
Submitting incomplete proposals.
Conducting research outside eligible LAC countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the Joint PAHO/TDR Impact Grants?

These grants support implementation research that strengthens communicable disease elimination programmes across Latin America and the Caribbean.

2. How much funding is available?

Five projects will each receive grants of up to US$30,000.

3. How long can projects last?

Projects may run for 12 to 18 months.

4. Who can apply?

Principal Investigators based at institutions in eligible Latin America and Caribbean countries or territories may apply with qualifying implementation research projects.

5. What types of research are eligible?

Eligible research includes implementation studies related to tuberculosis, HIV, fungal infections, neglected tropical diseases, digital health, artificial intelligence, surveillance, screening, diagnosis, prevention, and healthcare delivery.

6. Can the grant be used to provide treatment services?

No. Funding is available only for research activities and cannot be used for routine treatment or standard health service delivery.

7. Are ethical approvals required?

Yes. Ethical committee approval may be required if the research is intended to generate generalizable knowledge. Some projects also require authorization from health authorities and acknowledgment from relevant public health programme managers.

Conclusion

The 2026–2027 Joint PAHO/TDR Impact Grants for Regional Priorities provide an important opportunity for researchers in Latin America and the Caribbean to conduct implementation research that strengthens communicable disease elimination efforts. With grants of up to US$30,000 for projects lasting 12 to 18 months, the programme supports evidence-based solutions that improve public health programmes, enhance healthcare delivery, and accelerate progress toward the elimination of tuberculosis, HIV-related diseases, neglected tropical diseases, and other priority communicable diseases.