TDR-SGS recommended proposals for funding 2018-2019

11 September 2019 – In March 2018, the Tropical Disease Research–Small Grants Scheme (TDR-SGS) 2018–2019 call for proposals was announced.

In response, proposals were received and 16 were recommended for funding, covering: neglected tropical diseases, malaria, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and HIV. The accepted proposals were from 7 countries: Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan and Yemen (Table 1).

The call included a list of regional priorities, including:

• Evaluation of new models/interventions for implementation of ambulatory MDR-TB
• Cost–effectiveness of new diagnostic tools for multiple drug resistance (MDR) detection in both public and private heath sectors
• Improving collaboration and reporting of TB cases with the private sector in high TB burden countries
• Avoiding catastrophic cost  of TB diagnosis and management on families
• Plasmodium vivax burden in EMR endemic African countries
• Improving access to malaria interventions, including surveillance for remote, migrant and mobile populations
• Enhancing community engagement for implementation of vector control interventions, especially for remote and vulnerable populations
• Assessing the burden of co-infection of malaria and Aedes-borne arboviral diseases
• Evaluating and comparing preventive measures to reduce/interrupt transmission of leishmaniasis
• Innovative approaches to increase detection of new cases of leprosy
• Investigating determinants of transmission of schistosomiasis in hotspots in late stage of elimination
• Innovative approaches for facial cleanliness and environmental improvement components of the SAFE  strategy for trachoma elimination
• Analysis study of the economic impact of hepatitis C prevention and treatment intervention scenarios
• Integrated bio-behavioural surveys and population size estimates among key populations
• Improving access to diagnostic and management tools for HIV, hepatitis B, C infections
• Integrated use of multi-disease diagnostic devices for HIV, hepatitis B & C
• Effective and feasible strategies for engagement of the private sector for effective case management and reporting (TB, malaria, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis)
• Investigating determinants of transmission of schistosomiasis in hotspots in late stage of elimination.
• Innovative approaches for facial cleanliness and environmental improvement components of the SAFE1 strategy for trachoma elimination.
• Analysis study of the economic impact of hepatitis C prevention and treatment intervention scenarios.
• Integrated bio-behavioural surveys and population size estimates among keypopulations2.
• Improving access to diagnostic and management tools for HIV, hepatitis B, C infections.
• Integrated use of multi-disease diagnostic devices for HIV, hepatitis B & C.
• Effective and feasible strategies for engagement of the private sector for effective case management and reporting (TB, malaria, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis).

Table 1. The 16 small grant projects recommended for funding