Funding Opportunities

The sponsors provide support for U.S. postdoctoral biomedical, epidemiological, clinical, social and behavioral scientists in the formative stages of their careers to conduct research in developing countries. These awards will provide the successful candidates with a three- to four-year period of intensive mentored research, leading to an independent research career focused on global health. This research must be directly linked to an established collaboration between a U.S. mentor/sponsor and a leading developing country scientist at an internationally recognized research institution in a developing country. Collaborations are expected to lead to advances that will reduce the impact of global health problems and narrow the gap in health disparities between developed and developing countries.

The deadlines for receipt of optional letters of intent are: December 14, 2007; and December 16, 2008. The corresponding deadlines for receipt of full applications are: January 16, 2008; and January 16, 2009.

The International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) provides research opportunities, as well as cutting-edge technical training, in leading developing country institutions for U.S. postdoctoral biomedical, epidemiological, clinical, social and behavioral scientists who are committed to careers in international health research. The award supports the recipient for a three- to four-year period of collaboration with a U.S. mentor and an established developing country mentor. This collaboration should be based on a research project of mutual interest in the context of an ongoing research relationship between the U.S. and foreign mentors.

It is expected that this experience will prepare scientists to pursue an independently-funded global health research career involving ongoing collaboration with developing country scientists. With IRSDA support, the investigator will have the opportunity to work closely with an established foreign scientist in the developing world and a U.S. investigator, who are involved in collaborative research. The applicant will conduct research and receive training at both the U.S. and developing country institutions.

To be eligible for the award, the applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national or a permanent resident in possession of an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident
• Have earned a doctoral, dental or medical degree or the equivalent in a health, social or behavioral science field within seven years of the application receipt date
• Have demonstrated a commitment and competence in health and health-related research, as well as the potential to engage in independent and productive biomedical, social, behavioral or epidemiological/clinical research in the period following the award
• Have mentors in the United States and in the eligible developing country where the proposed research will be performed who are committed to both the research and career development/training requirements of the candidate.

Eligible countries include those in the following regions: Africa, Asia (except Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan), Russia and countries of the Former Soviet Union, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East (except Israel) and the Pacific Ocean Islands (except Australia and New Zealand). Applications for work in institutions in sub-Saharan Africa are especially encouraged.

Please contact the appropriate Research Administration Office at the University for additional information.
Other Deadlines: December 14, 2007; December 16, 2008; (Letters of Intent) January 16, 2008; January 16, 2009 (Full Proposals)