Malaria Research Capability Strengthening in Africa (2)
-------------------------------------------------------
Source: malaria@wehi.edu.au
Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) - Plan of Action
As agreed in the follow-up meeting of the Multilateral Initiative
for Malaria Research in Africa (MIM), the Special Programme for
Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), in collaboration
with the other agencies involved, is developing a Plan of Action to
assist implement some aspects of the MIM and respond to the letters of
interest. A common fund for malaria research capability strengthening
activities in Africa is being built up and several mechanisms to
enhance collaboration are being explored. These involve the
preparation of a compendium of funding opportunities for research in
Africa, the establishment of a Task Force on Malaria Research
Capability Strengthening (RCS) in Africa, and the organization of an
inter-agency "Clearing House" group of interested parties.
1. Compendium of funding opportunities for malaria research in Africa
The purpose is to develop a guide, for scientists from disease endemic
countries, to the opportunities, requirements, and procedures in
applying for malaria research grants of the different Agencies.
A compendium is being drafted which will put together the information
already available and to be provided by all agencies involved in, or
prepared to fund malaria research projects in Africa. The compendium
will provide addresses for contact, the mandates of the agencies,
descriptions of mechanisms of cooperation, priority areas for funding,
training opportunities, application procedures, and timetables for
application. The target date for completion is 1 October, and a first
draft of the compendium should be revised and completed at the first
meeting of the task force/ "clearing house".
2. Follow-up to letters of interest
Task Force on Malaria Research Capability Strengthening in Africa
Following the recommendation made at The Hague meeting, TDR is
establishing a Task Force on Malaria Research Capability Strengthening
in Africa, composed of prominent scientists from Africa and elsewhere.
The Task Force will be explored as a core activity in the context of
the MIM to address key scientific gaps and opportunities and other
strategic issues related to the implementation of the Initiative. In
addition, the Task Force will support research required for the
development of an intensified malaria control strategy in Africa. The
first meeting is planned to be held in Geneva, 13-15 October, 1997.
The functions of the task force will be to:
- identify research and capacity building priorities based on the
Dakar report, letters of interest and information about projects
currently being funded. The priorities will also include operational
research related to the development and evaluation of new, improved
control strategies, as well as, training of young African scientists.
- develop criteria for promoting projects and activities of strategic
importance to MIM. In this context the Task Force will consider the
balance of investment in high priority research gaps as compared to
investment in common support activities
- solicit, review, and monitor funded activities on an open
competitive basis.
A central recommendation of the Dakar meeting was that research and
RCS should go hand in hand. In this context, the letters of interest
will primarily be used to define key priority research and RCS areas
to be advertised for funding and reviewed in early 1998. Training
activities of African scientists and networking should form part of
the collaborative effort. If the "clearing house" becomes successful
in strengthening collaboration, and if increased direct funding by the
different agencies takes place, the Task Force will be able to focus
increasingly on its strategic role.
Resources for the task force have been building up rapidly and are
currently approaching US$ 2 million. They have being committed by
NIH, the World Bank, WHO/AFRO, CTD and TDR. All MIM participants are
encouraged to approach their respective counterparts concerned with
development co-operation to provide earmarked funds for the strategic
objective of MIM. In the case of EU Member States and other TDR
donors, this may, in some cases, be done via the regular contributions
to TDR as additional, earmarked funds. Any other contributions are
also encouraged.
3. Clearing house
The Welcome Trust will explore a "clearing house" function to
facilitate enhanced collaboration, and exchange views and plans
between funding partners in MIM. While individual agencies will
continue to fund research as usual, and hopefully more so, as proposed
in The Hague, some actions under MIM will undoubtedly be common,
especially those concerning information systems, repositories and
networking facilities. Representatives of participating agencies will
review these complementary activities and consider accommodating the
Task Force recommendations under their own programmes. The clearing
house will have an important role in coordinating actions aimed at
potentiating funding and will steer MIM activities towards achieving
the common goal established at the Dakar meeting. The success of MIM
will depend on the commitment of the different partners to making MIM
a collaborative effort.
For further information contact:
Dr Fabio Zicker
mailto:zickerf@who.ch
or:
UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in
Tropical Diseases (TDR),
1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland,
Tel: +41-22-791-3805
Fax: +41-22-791-4854
--
Send mail for the `AFRO-NETS' conference to `afro-nets@usa.healthnet.org'.
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-afro-nets@usa.healthnet.org'.