MRC/DFID Call for Proposals: African Research Leader scheme 2020
The Medical Research Council (MRC) UK and the Department for International Development (DFID) UK announce a further call for proposals for the prestigious African Research Leader awards which provides support for up to five years for African researchers already based in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries and those individuals currently working overseas who wish to return to SSA.
This MRC/ DFID jointly funded scheme aims to strengthen research leadership across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by attracting and retaining exceptionally talented individuals who will lead high quality programmes of research on key global health issues pertinent to SSA. The African Research Leader (ARL; PI) should be supported by an enthusiastic local research environment and by a strong linkage with a UK partner (i.e. the UK Co-Investigator; Co-I).
Key elements of the scheme:
- a talented ‘rising star’ African Research Leader candidate,
- a high-quality research programme proposal,
- a research-conducive academic African environment / institution,
- a firm partnership with a UK partner institution
The African Research Leader Candidate:
- Based in sub-Saharan African countries and individuals currently working overseas who wish to return to SSA.
- High-calibre, early-to-mid career researchers, who show clear ability to cultivate a dynamic and innovative research group, likely to attract increasing international recognition and external funding by the end of the award.
- Completed a PhD, will be well-qualified for academic research having spent at least the last 3 years in active research, be building a track record of independence in their selected field and demonstrating promise as a future research leader. Outstanding ARL candidates who do not have a PhD but who are educated to Master’s level and have substantial research experience, as evidenced by their publication record, may also be considered in exceptional circumstances.
- Applications from women are particularly encouraged.
- Hold an established academic position in an African research institution, be developing a research team and be undertaking original research.
- If a candidate is returning to work in SSA they are expected to make their own arrangements for obtaining a tenured academic position in an eligible African research institution if one is not already held (and should be in post by the start of any award).
- In addition to supporting scientific collaboration with the partner UK institution the scheme offers the African research leader an opportunity to spend time (up to 3 months) for further career development activities, training or skills development (eg research management/ mentoring/ publication writing/ industry internship etc) in either country.
- No for: Researchers who already have a well-established record of securing significant international research grant funding or have reached a level of seniority e.g. professor or head of department.
Proposed research programme:
- Research focused on the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and mental health.
- Prevention and control of infectious diseases (major diseases such as malaria, HIV and TB), neglected tropical diseases (including snakebite), zoonotic and emerging diseases, co-infections and issues associated with emerging resistance to current drugs.
- Multimorbidity, i.e., the co-existence of two or more chronic conditions, including long-term infectious and non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions.
- Basic, discovery health research approaches, experimental medicine providing mechanistic insight to human diseases, epidemiological (social, genetic, immunological) research, prevention research;
- Applied research approaches, including public health, health systems, health policy, and implementation research;
- Research targeting vulnerable or disadvantaged groups including refugees, people living in informal settlements, those living with disability, neonates, children, adolescents or the elderly.
* In recognition of the current COVID-19 pandemic, proposals contributing to the understanding, prevention and/or management of the COVID-19 outbreak are welcomed.
Read more here.
Proposals deadline September 8, 2020.
