Deadline: 11-Aug-22
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is pleased to announce a Call for Proposals to select up to three institutions to establish regional hubs to manage networks in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Each hub will be managed by an institution (or consortia of institutions) based in the region and will develop a regional research network based on a competitive selection process focused on advancing sexual, reproductive and maternal health (SRMH) outcomes using responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches and solutions.
Artificial Intelligence for Global Health (AI4GH) addresses complex global health challenges by harnessing artificial intelligence to inform health system planning and decision making in the Global South.
Objectives
- Through this Call, up to three hubs will be set up and managed, one each in MENA, LAC and Asia. These hubs will be managed by a regionally based organization or consortium of organizations. Each of the hubs will be tasked with establishing, managing and supporting implementation research networks in their respective region. Setting up the network should consist of running an open call to select implementation research projects in the corresponding region working on or researching AI innovations for SRMH, with a typical approach being to select six to ten projects. It is expected that the selected projects will represent linguistic, gender and geographic diversity across the respective region; diversity across relevant areas of application of AI to SRMH; and diversity of relevant involved stakeholders (e.g., university researchers, start-ups, ministries of health, research-oriented think-tanks, consultancies, labs or community groups). The selected innovation research projects will receive funding and support as sub-grants for an implementation research project for a duration of at least 18 months.
- The general objective of each of the three innovation research networks is to advance SRMH in MENA, LAC and Asia through implementation research promoting responsible development and deployment of AI innovations. By responsible, they are referring to AI innovations that are ethical, respect human rights, inclusive and contribute to environmental sustainability.
- Specific objectives are to:
- Strengthen the body of multidisciplinary evidence emerging from LMIC-based researchers on how to develop and scale responsible AI innovations for improving SRMH in MENA, LAC or Asia.
- Build innovation research capacities in MENA, LAC or Asia to develop, deploy and scale responsible AI applications in “real world” settings to improve SRMH outcomes.
- Deepen understanding and informed practices to enhance gender and social inclusion and limit related biases in the design, implementation and use of AI solutions for SRMH.
- Influence AI and SRMH policies, practices and efforts to scale up and/or commercialize responsible AI solutions.
Funding Information
As a result of this Call, a grant of up to CAD1,225,000 will be issued for the hubs in Asia and LAC, and a grant up to CAD750,000 will be issued for a hub in MENA. The project duration for each hub will not exceed 36 months, including all research activities and final reporting.
Eligibility Criteria
- This Call for Proposals is open to select individual organizations or consortia headquartered in the respective region (MENA, LAC and Asia) with preference given for organizations in low- and middle-income countries. They encourage applications from interdisciplinary teams and consortia.
- Applicants from the United Nations system may not apply to this Call as leads or co-applicants. UN organizations may participate as collaborating organizations.
- The following eligibility criteria also apply:
- Have a proven record of working in relevant region (MENA, LAC or Asia) and supporting research on the design, development and scaling of AI and SRMH innovations in these contexts.
- Internal expertise in AI, SRMH innovations and health systems strengthening from at least one partner institution or demonstrated ability to collaborate on these issues via a consortium.
- Ability to work in English and the working languages of the region (e.g., Spanish for LAC) at a minimum. Other languages are considered an asset.
- Ability to transfer funds to other countries within the region.
- Applicants must have independent legal status (or “legal personality”) and be capable of contracting in their own right and name, receiving and administering funds, and have authority to direct proposed project activities. Applicants must be able to demonstrate legal status through written documentation. Legal status will only be reviewed if and when applicants are selected following technical selection.
For more information, visit https://www.idrc.ca/en/funding/organizations-hubs-managing-regional-innovation-networks-responsible-artificial