About us

TDR, a Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps coordinate, support and influence global efforts to combat a portfolio of major diseases of the poor and disadvantaged.

Established in 1975, TDR is based at and executed by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and WHO.

More about us

Governance

We are governed by a unique board made up of representatives from governments in funding and receiving countries, ensuring equal representation regardless of economic level. In addition, we have a scientific and technical review committee that oversees the mix and range of scientific priorities, and additional committees for specific research areas, made up of scientific experts from all over the world. Most of the best ideas come from these committees, which are then taken up by organizations all over the world, not just TDR.

Strategy

Our goal is to have the priority setting, research and development led and managed by scientific leaders in the countries where the diseases and problems occur. We believe this is a sustainable way of not only creating these tools, but making sure that they are distributed, used, and truly owned by the communities they can help. We have identified a specific set of research goals designed to meet the needs of people in these countries.

More on our strategy | Ten Year Vision and Strategy [PDF: 1Mb, 36 pages]

Who funds us

We are funded by our 4 co-sponsoring UN agencies, member states, and groups that include foundations, research universities and international agencies.

TDR Jobs

For a complete job listing and application process please visit
http://www.who.int/tdr/svc/about/jobs

TDR's vision

Fostering an effective global research effort on infectious diseases of poverty in which disease endemic countries play a pivotal role.

TDR biennial report 2007-2008

Innovation for health: research that makes a difference

For an overview of TDR's last two years of work, read our 2007-2008 biennial report.