Mobilisation of funding for COVID-19 research in sub-Saharan Africa

The EDCTP “Emergency Funding Mechanism” allows rapid mobilisation of research funding based on a call for expressions of interest in exceptional and duly substantiated emergencies.

In the light of the unprecedented rapid spread of COVID-19 across more than 181 countries, with more than 1 million confirmed cases globally as April 3, 2020, the EDCTP has activated its emergency funding mechanism to support Research & Innovation Actions (RIAs) as part of the European response to the COVID-19 emergency.

The European Union has contributed €2.25 million through this mechanism along with cash contributions from France and Sweden to a total amount of €2.5 million. Funding has also been made available from South Africa by the Department of Science & Innovation (DSI), for South African researchers in this area.

Scope

EDCTP invites expressions of interest proposals for RIAs to support research activities in sub-Saharan Africa to manage and/or prevent the spread of the current COVID-19 outbreak. Proposals must demonstrate the following:

• Addressing urgent research questions in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak, in line with the research priorities of the Global Research Roadmap (4) and the WHO R&D Blueprint for rapid activation of R&D activities during epidemics.
• Strengthening of national and local research capacity.
• Coordination and collaboration with other research and/or humanitarian activities operational in the countries affected, following principles of good participatory practice for emerging and re-emerging pathogens (5).
• Compliance with International Council on Harmonisation – Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP), regulatory and ethical standards.
• Commitment to open access and data sharing principles.

Read the full request for proposal
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