Tropical Medicine Research for Researchers from Developing Countries, 2001-02

Training Fellowships for Scientists from Tropical and Developing Countries: intended to provide training and research experience for applicants from tropical and/or developing countries. Training can take place at international centers of excellence in any country of the developing world, in the UK or the Republic of Ireland, with a substantial period of research undertaken in the applicant's home country. Studies of infectious or non-communicable diseases are equally acceptable.

Eligibility: Applications are invited from postdoctoral basic scientists, medical, dental or veterinary graduates of up to six years' post-qualification research experience who are nationals of developing countries. Applications may be considered in exceptional circumstances from those who are educated to first degree or Master's level, who are able to demonstrate substantive potential for research and operational leadership and who have research experience equivalent to a PhD, as evidenced by their publication record. Applicants will wish to become independent research scientists through high quality research into diseases of local or regional significance to their home country and will need to provide a guarantee from their home institution that they have an appropriate position to return to, with the opportunity for continuing research. Requested training must be relevant to the proposed research study and to the candidate's longer-term career.

Funding: Awards will be for a maximum of four years, non-renewable, and will include a stipend/salary appropriate to the countries in which the candidate will be studying/working as well as project dedicated costs and travel expenses. Consideration may also be given to the expense of attending a course leading to a recognized qualification in a discipline relevant to the fellowship research program.

Preliminary applications should include: * An outline of the proposed research (1-2 pages of A4), including a clear argument for the relevance of the project to the home country and details of any proposed training;

* An approximate budget for the proposal;

* A brief curriculum vitae for the applicant and academic sponsor/s;

* Details of the home institute where the applicant will be working. The Trust will need to implement certain checks to assess whether a nominated institute is eligible to receive charitable funding and ensure that local controls and mechanisms are in place to provide the appropriate stewardship of charitable funds;

* A guarantee from the host institution of subsequent employment for the applicant, and opportunities for research;

* Written confirmation of arrangements from host institutions (both in the applicant's home country and where training is proposed). Candidates must make their own arrangements with the institutions in which they propose to work, both in their home country and where they will train; and

* A letter of support from a suitable sponsor at the training institution. If the preliminary details meet the requirements of the scheme, a full application form will be sent out. Applications are considered throughout the year and at least six months should be allowed between submission of the full application and the proposed start date.

Research Development Awards: these awards are to enable junior clinical and non-clinical researchers from developing countries to return to their home institution and establish a program of research with continued collaboration and support of a UK or Republic of Ireland sponsor. Studies of infectious or non-communicable diseases are equally acceptable.

Eligibility: Applications are invited from junior postdoctoral basic scientists, medical, dental or veterinary graduates who are nationals of developing countries. Candidates must have recently completed PhD training or held a substantial research fellowship in the UK or Republic of Ireland. Research proposals should address issues of health and disease that are of local or regional significance. All applicants must hold a full-time established post in an appropriate university or research institute in a developing country.

Funding: Awards will be for a maximum period of three years. The Trust will provide funds for research and equipment within the applicant's home institution, some assistance towards research costs in the UK and funds for exchange visits. The Trust will provide up to GBP 12,000 per year to support research within the applicant's home institution, along with research equipment of a maximum value of GBP 15,000 (including freight charges). Travel and subsistence expenses are also provided to allow award holders to spend up to 3 months per year in the UK or Republic of Ireland sponsoring laboratory. Up to GBP 3,000 per year may be requested for research costs within the UK laboratory. Travel and subsistence expenses may also be provided for an annual visit of 2-4 weeks by the UK/ Republic Ireland sponsor to the awardee's home institution.

Preliminary applications should include: * An outline of the proposed research (1-2 pages of A4), with a clear argument outlining the relevance of the project to the home country;

* A brief curriculum vitae for both the applicant and the UK/Republic of Ireland sponsor;

* Details of the home institute where the applicant has an established post;

* A letter of support from a sponsor with an established UK/Republic of Ireland academic post

If the preliminary details meet the requirements of the scheme, a full application form will be sent out. Applications are considered throughout the year and at least six months should be allowed between submission of the full application and the proposed start date.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES AND INFORMATION

Contact: The Tropical Medicine Program The Wellcome Trust 183, Euston Road London NW1 2BE, UK. Tel: +44-20-7611-8409/8641 Fax: +44-20-7611-7288 mailto:tropical@wellcome.ac.uk

Alternatively, further information on these schemes, including application procedure and full eligibility criteria, is available from the Wellcome Trust website at: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/international