Canadian Government Rapid Research Fund for Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks Call for Research Proposals 2018

The Government of Canada, through three of its dedicated funding agencies, has launched a new partnership aimed at sustainably improving Ebola response capacities in and around the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding region.

Application Deadline: 13th July 2018 12:00 p.m. EST

Eligible Countries: African countries and Canada

About the Award: Together, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) have made available a combined CA$1.5 million to support partnered teams of Canadian and African researchers.

The Rapid Research Fund (RRF) for Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks will fund social science, population and public health, and health systems research relevant to the emerging crisis. A minimum of four successful teams will be eligible to receive research grants up to CA$360,000 over two years (2018–2020).

The focus of the supported research will be to inform the response to the current Ebola outbreak in DRC, with the aim of improving prevention and preparedness efforts for future Ebola or similarly significant infectious disease outbreak threats in the region.

Scope: The Rapid Research Fund (RRF) for Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks is intended to support social sciences, humanities, public health and/or health systems research aimed at more effectively containing the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as potential future outbreaks, more readily.

A minimum of four successful teams will be eligible to receive research grants up to CA$360,000 over two years (2018–2020). The focus of the supported research will be to inform the response to the current Ebola outbreak in DRC, with the aim of improving prevention and preparedness efforts to future Ebola or similarly significant infectious disease outbreak threats in the region.

Projects must be focused on addressing challenges related to the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC, and/or risks of extension to the surrounding region. Proposals should apply social science, humanities, population and public health, and/or health services research approaches that build on previous learnings, and/or respond to documented knowledge and practice gaps, to build capacity for more effective outbreak response, containment, and mitigation efforts.

The proposal must also justify the use of Rapid Research funds, detailing how the same research success and impact would not be achieved through traditional, less time-sensitive funding sources.

Type: Grant

Eligibility: This call is intended to fund collaborative partnerships between Canadian and African researchers based out of established, research-oriented organizations in North and sub-Saharan Africa and Canada.

The following eligibility criteria also apply:

• Application from one Canadian lead applicant and an African co-lead applicant.
• Application from one African lead applicant and a Canadian co-lead applicant.
• Eligible organizations are legal entities, such as accredited universities, non-governmental or government-funded research organizations.
• African-Canadian partnerships may include other co-applicant research partners from eligible organizations.
• Intergovernmental organizations (e.g. United Nations system) and CGIAR Centres may not apply to this call as lead or co-applicants. Intergovernmental organizations may, however, participate as collaborating organizations.
• The lead applicant and co-applicants may negotiate and develop funding arrangements directly with third-party organizations for specific services. IDRC will not contract directly with third-party organizations. Applications that involve third-party organizations must clearly justify their involvement and explain their role(s).
• At most, a person can apply as the lead applicant for one project and be a co-applicant for one additional project.

Number of Awards: 4 teams

Value of Award: CA$1.5 million (up to CA$360,000 per project)

How to Apply: Apply online

Please consult the online call application in English and French for complete details on eligibility criteria, including additional information and FAQs.

Visit Programme Webpage for Details

Award Providers: International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).