World Health Organization, University of Amsterdam, Royal Tropical Institute

Call For Applications for Promoting Rational Drug Use in the Community

The Essential Drugs and Medicines Programme within the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) is pleased to announce the CALL FOR APPLICATIONS for the PRDUC operational research project from ACP participants attending the PRDUC Pretoria course. Please note that the deadline for application is 15th December 2004.

Objectives

The PRDUC operational research programme (PRDUC-OR) aims to facilitate and strengthen community drug use operational research in ACP countries of participants attending the Pretoria PRDUC course. The PRDUC-OR supports research projects by funding, on a competitive basis, research that contributes to the promotion of the rational use of drugs in the community. Priority will be given to projects integrating operational research activities that either provides information as to the underlying reasons for particular problem behaviours or evaluates an intervention that addresses a community drug use problem.

Applications for 2005

The Programme will support research activities that meet the above-mentioned objectives. Duration for support is 12 months with maximum financial support of US$ 12 500. Three proposals will be supported financially and with technical assistance. Applications are invited from participants who attended the Pretoria PRDUC course.

How to apply

The principal investigator should submit electronically the completed proposal to Trudie Gerrits at the University of Amsterdam by December 15th 2004. Prior to submission of the completed proposal, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit drafts according to the following schedule. They will receive prompt comments on these drafts.

First Draft submitted by 15th October 2004 Comments returned by October 30^th.
Second Draft submitted by 15th Nov 2004 Comments returned by Nov 30^th.
Final Draft submitted by 15th Dec 2004.

Proposal

The final proposal should contain the following information:

• Project Summary (1 page).

• Full names, addresses and others for principal investigator and other personnel.

• Name of the project.

• Justification of the study (2-3 pages).

• Objectives (1 page) Detailed description of the study design and methodology. (5-8 pages) If an intervention is undertaken, details of how the intervention will be developed, pretested, monitored and evaluated should be provided (5-8 pages).

• Mechanisms to ensure effective collaboration between the investigators and community partners and stakeholders at all levels of project development (1 page).

• Details of requested technical assistance (1 page). Expected results and potential contribution of the project (1 page). Ethical permissions (1 page). Activity timeline.

• An outline budget for the proposed work. Please be prepared to submit details if requested. Budgets in excess of U$12 500 may be submitted if details as to where the additional funding will be provided from are submitted. Such details should include a commitment letter.

• Brief curriculum vitae of key participants in the proposal. Letters of commitment should be submitted.

• Bank Details

The proposal should be submitted electronically. Any applications that are submitted after December 15th 2004 will not be considered for funding. Curriculum vitae of one page: this should clearly indicate the investigator's name, affiliation and complete address (including telephone number, e-mail address, fax number), sex, date of birth, nationality; qualifications and the nature of the applicants current and previous posts.

Bank details (Account number, clearing code, and bank address) should also be provided.

Selection process

The submitted proposals will be reviewed by the selection committee according to their scientific merit, relevance to improving drug use in communities and the potential for strengthening operational research capacities. The principal investigators of proposals that meet the above criteria and selected for funding will be informed by 31 December 2004. The support group will assist the principal investigators in finalizing their proposals through reviewing drafts of the proposal.

Draft and Final Proposals should e-mailed to: Trudie Gerrits (g.j.e.gerrits@uva.nl). Deadline for receipt of applications is 15th December 2004.