Deadline: 7 March 2019
Applicants are invited to apply for ‘Clinical Research and Development Fellowship (CRDF)’ scheme which is jointly implemented by EDCTP (the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership) and TDR, the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases.
The TDR CRDF programme is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA). It offers targeted training in research and development in host training organizations to develop highly skilled local personnel from disease endemic LMICs, to enhance competencies in clinical trials for drugs, vaccines and diagnostics on a broad range of poverty related infectious diseases and Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs).
The purpose of the TDR CRDF programme is to provide funding support to researchers and clinical trial staff from LMICs to acquire essential skills in clinical research and development through placements in host training organizations. The programme targets early- to mid-career researchers or clinical trial staff who are employed by a legal entity in LMICs where they are currently conducting clinical research activities in the scope of TDR’s mandate.
TDR will fund fellows employed by academic and/or research institutions in any LMIC to be placed in host training organizations, either in or outside Europe, to train and develop new research skills on poverty related infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, Ebola and NIDs.
Financial Provisions
- The grant covers one economy class return air ticket (home – host training organization – home); a monthly stipend of approximately US$ 4000; a one-time allowance of US$ 1500 for educational support materials; health insurance and support to attend relevant meetings during the course of the fellowship, up to a maximum amount of US$ 3000, and access to an alumni website and to the Professional Membership Scheme for clinical trialists website.
- A break at 6 months of fellowship may be offered to the fellow to return to their home institution to present to their peers the acquired training and scientific progress made.
- The grant also includes provisional funds for reintegration, conditional upon the approval of a progress report and reintegration plan.
Expected impact
The aim of the CRDF programme is to develop additional human resources that will increase high quality research and development of required interventions against poverty related infectious diseases in LMICs. Fellowships are expected to add significantly to the development of the best and most promising researchers from these countries, maximising their contribution to improving the function of research institutions in LMICs, including training of their peers. The programme will strengthen collaboration between research institutions, clinical researchers and staff in LMICs, pharmaceutical companies and PDPs. The programme will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.
Placements
Host training organizations may offer placements in the following areas: design and conduct of clinical trials, including operational planning, management and evaluation; clinical development of vaccines, including associated epidemiological studies; assessment of drug development programmes; diagnostics; biostatistics/epidemiology; data management and pharmacovigilance.
Eligibility Criteria
On the date of the deadline set for submission of applications, the fellow should:
- Be a postgraduate (MSc or PhD) or medical/pharmacy graduate conducting clinical research activities in the scope of TDR’s mandate.
- Have obtained their first degree within the 15 years prior to submission of this application.
- Have been a researcher or clinical staff member employed for the past 12 months in an institution with a registered legal entity in an LMIC conducting clinical research activities in the scope of TDR’s mandate.
- Must be a national or citizen of, and resident in, an LMIC.
How to Apply
- Application form must be submitted electronically at the address given on the website.
- The application form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- An endorsement from the Director of the applicant’s home institution testifying the ability of the applicant to successfully undertake the training proposed and certifying that the applicant, if selected, will be supported as a leave of absence. The Director has also to indicate how the proposed training will strengthen the institution’s capability, to conduct clinical research upon return of the fellow.
- A letter of recommendation from two senior scientists/professors that includes their full name, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address. Please scan and include these with the application.
For more information, please visit https://www.who.int/tdr/grants/calls/crdf-2018/en/