Travel Grants for Developing Country Vaccine Researchers

A travel grant program for airfare, registration, meal and hotel expenses is available for attendance and poster presentation at the 12th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research (ACVR, Baltimore, MD, 27-29 April 2009) by researchers from developing countries.  The online application deadline is 7 December 2008 for such scholarships and the related poster abstracts.

Information about the 2009 travel grants is available here: http://www.nfid.org/pdf/conferences/vaccine09travel.pdf  The conference website is at:  http://www.nfid.org/conferences/vaccine09 

At the 11th ACVR in 2008, 15 poster abstracts were accepted and travel grants awarded.  They are listed as posters P1 to P15 on nominal pages 31 to 33 (actual pp. 32-34 of 106), and their abstracts on pages 71-76 (actual 72-77), of the Final Program and Abstracts Book, available at:
http://www.nfid.org/pdf/conferences/vaccine08abstracts.pdf

Examples of prior travel grant award abstracts are:

2007 10th ACVR (posters P1 to P24):
http://www.nfid.org/pdf/conferences/vaccine07abstracts.pdf

2006 9th ACVR (asterisked posters on nominal pages 26 to 39):
http://www.nfid.org/pdf/conferences/vaccine06abstracts.pdf

Call for Letters of Interest

Azithromycin-chloroquine (AZCQ) in an Intermittent Preventive Treatment                     of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) Phase III study

Due: Friday 12 September 2008

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Pfizer invite letters of interest (LOI) to participate in a Phase III efficacy, and safety study of azithromycin-chloroquine fixed dose combination (AZCQ) versus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for the intermittent preventive treatment of P. falciparum malaria during pregnancy (IPTp). This study will be a pivotal study in the registration of AZCQ for IPTp

The target start date for the study is the beginning of the 2nd Quarter 2009, with the recruitment phase of 18 to 24 months.

Background

Important progress has been made in Africa with the introduction of a preventive strategy for malaria in pregnancy consisting of IPTp. SP is the current standard of care for this indication, but development of safe, efficacious and affordable alternatives for IPTp is one of the main priorities for the control of malaria in pregnancy.

AZCQ is being developed for intermittent preventive treatment of falciparum malaria in pregnant women. AZCQ has demonstrated efficacy, safety and tolerability in two phase III clinical studies in the treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated malaria in adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Both azithromycin and chloroquine are considered safe in pregnant women as individual agents.

The proposed study is a Phase III clinical trial comparing AZCQ with SP, for use in the IPTp.  The protective efficacy of AZCQ in pregnancy against sexually transmitted Infections (STI), and respiratory infections (RTI) will also be evaluated. 

Study summary:

• AZCQ will be compared with SP in a multi-centre, open label, randomised study.
• The study will be conducted at 5-10 sites across East and West Africa.
• The study will be conducted in out-patients
• This study will enrol pregnant women (primigravidae to multigravidae) in second trimester (> 16 to < 26 weeks).
• An approximate total of 4,000 women will be enrolled.
• AZCQ dosing will be as a single daily dose for three days.
• SP dosing will be single dose for one day
• Each subject will receive 2-4 courses of preventive treatment depending upon the timing of the first and subsequent visits.
• All doses will be given under observation. First dose of each treatment course will be given at the ANC clinic. Second and third doses of AZCQ will be given by field worker(s) during the home visits.  
• Subjects will be followed up monthly, at delivery and 28 days after delivery

The study objectives are:

• Efficacy, to establish non inferiority of AZCQ over SP in proportion of subjects with low neonatal birth-weight (<2,500 g)
• Safety and tolerability (AE and SAE reporting)
• Population pharmacokinetics

Who should apply

LOI are expected from African research institutions, scientists, research clinics and health care facilities where pregnant women are seeking antenatal care, where capacity for follow-up and delivery of pregnant women and laboratory facilities exist.

Selection process

Responses to this call for LOI will be reviewed by a panel of Pfizer, LSHTM and MMV staff to short-list potential sites to participate. A second round of information will be requested by Pfizer from short-listed sites specifically related to the study protocol and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) compliance. Based on that information Pfizer team may visit the sites for pre-trial assessment and final site selection.      

How to apply

LOI should be 6-8-pages long, in English or French, providing all the following information:

• Name of principal investigator with telephone, fax and e-mail address
• Brief description of the research team/institution and collaborators
• Prior clinical trial experience/ ICH-GCP inspection history / on-going study commitments that may conflict with proposed studies
• Certification in ICH-GCP training, if available
• Information on regulatory / Ministry of Health / ethics committee application process & timelines
• Standard of care in the country for prophylaxis (IPTp) and treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria during pregnancy
• Level of  resistance to chloroquine in the region (if available)
• Level of resistance to SP in your region (if available)
• Description of current infrastructures:
• antenatal clinic (ANC) and bed facilities
• number of pregnant women seen in the ANC
• laboratory facilities (parasitology, haematology, biochemistry)
• laboratory technique used to routinely evaluate parasitaemia (please provide a short description of the technique(s) used
• any lab accreditation or quality control programme that the lab participates in or any previous lab audit(s) and outcome(s)
• Evidence of malaria season(s). A table needs to be provided within the number of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria cases collected in the proposed site by month during 2 years from January 2006 to December 2007 (if not yet available from January 2005 to December 2006)
• It would also be helpful if you could confirm that your ministry of health would support the study.
• Top-line estimated cost per patient at your facility and a draft budget justification

LOI should be returned by e-mail or hardcopy no later than Friday 12 September 2008 to:

Pfizer address:

AZCQ IPTp study
c/o Dr. Richa Chandra
Development Team Leader, Malaria Program
Senior Director, Infectious Diseases, Pfizer Global R&D
50 Pequot Avenue, MS: 6025-B3112
New London, CT 06320, USA

E-mail: richa.s.chandra@pfizer.com
Phone: 001-860-732-5532
Mobile: 001-860-501-3836

Call for Letters of Interest
Multilateral Initiative on Malaria in Africa (MIM)
Research grant applications to be considered in March 2009

Introduction
The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria was created with the overarching goal to strengthen and sustain the capability of malaria endemic countries in Africa to carry out research required to develop or improve tools for malaria control1. The United Nations Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) at the World Health Organization in Geneva coordinate the MIM research capacity strengthening grant programme.

TDR's current vision and strategy is designed to "foster an effective global research effort on infectious diseases of poverty in which endemic countries play a pivotal role". Details of the new strategy and the business plan can be found on the TDR website at:
http://www.who.int/tdr/about/strategy/strategy_06.htm . MIM/TDR grants are administered within the frame work of the TDR strategy and Empowerment business line.  The overall objective of this business line is to develop excellence and leadership in health research and decision making so that high quality institutional and national systems can identify and manage research priorities.

Since 1998, the MIM/TDR programme has awarded 70 research grants to 59 principal investigators in 19 sub Saharan countries. These research grants have generated new knowledge on malaria and improved control strategies; enhanced the  research environment and infrastructure; and in some cases evolved to become components of global research networks supported by other organizations. The results from these research grants have been documented in over 100 scientific peer reviewed publications2. 

MIM/TDR works with the MIM secretariat at AMANET, Tanzania (www.mimalaria.org) and other partners (MIMCom www.nlm.nih.gov/mimcom and MR4 www.mr4.org ) to consolidate these grants.

The call
The effective use of malaria control tools and strategies in endemic areas results in significant reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality and interruption of local mosquito-borne malaria transmission.  There is now renewed expectation of  sustained effective control and possible elimination of the disease. The evolution and spread of resistance to drugs or insecticides along with failures in delivery systems however remain ever present threats in endemic areas.  The need for a critical mass of researchers and institutions in Africa able to contextualize threats against effective malaria control and carry out research required for innovative and rapid responses to these threats remain clear and pressing. TDR on behalf of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM), invites proposals for malaria research capacity strengthening grants to be hosted in African research, academic or public health institutions from 2010. The proposals must:

1. lead to the development of African scientific and public health leadership, and institutions with the capacity for high quality malaria research
2. address a specific challenge of malaria in Africa. 

It is anticipated that up to 3 new grants will be awarded in early 2010 and funded for up to three years with a maximum annual budget of US$ 70,000. Progress will be evaluated annually and the grants may be renewed depending upon satisfactory reports.  Proposals may be based on investigator initiated novel ideas on topics of relevance to the current malaria situation in Africa or studies complementing other ongoing research programmes in Africa.   

Who can apply?
African investigators who:-

1. Work in research, academic or public health institutions in Africa.
2. Have experience in malaria research evidenced by peer reviewed scientific publications in the subject matter of the proposed research
3. Have national, regional or international research collaboration.

Individuals enrolled for academic degrees (e.g. Masters or Doctorate) are not eligible to apply.

How to apply
Selection of successful candidate will involve a two step process.  The first step is the call for letters expressing interest in submitting a grant application. The letters of interest (LOI) will be evaluated based on scientific merit and relevance of the proposed idea, the potential contribution to development of research leadership in the host country and feasibility of the proposed work. The 10 most promising ideas will be developed by the investigators and submitted as full proposals.

The letter of interest not exceeding 3 pages, must contain the following information:-

1. Project title
2. Full name, title, qualifications and current position of the principal investigator
3. Scientific objectives and rationale
4. Study design and methods
5. Expected results and milestones towards their achievement
6. List and roles of investigators and research institutions involved
7. A brief description of the institutions involved and type of research capacity to be developed through the project
8. Estimated annual budget for the duration of the project
9. Other available support / capacity strengthening activities, added value of the MIM/TDR grant
10. List of 10 most relevant scientific publications by the principal investigator

Applications involving institutions with access to support for capacity building through other United Nations or International development agencies are strongly encouraged. Such support should be indicated with a clear explanation of the added value of the MIM/TDR grant.

The LOI must be submitted by e mail attachment as a "Word" (*.doc) file no later than 15 September 2008 to mimtdr@who.int with copy to harlleyp@who.int. Authors of short listed letters of intent will be notified within 7 days of  the deadline and invited to a proposal development workshop scheduled for 20 - 24 October 2008 in Abuja, Nigeria.
 

For additional information on the call for LOIs, please contact Dr Olumide Ogundahunsi:
ogundahunsio@who.int

THIRD ROUND OF MALARIA ADVOCACY INNOVATION GRANTS (AFRICA AND ASIA)

Malaria Consortium is now accepting applications for its Malaria Advocacy Innovation Grants. Applications are invited from African and Asian community based organisations, non-governmental organisations, media organisations/institutions, and individuals (within institutions/sponsored by organisations only) who are actively working towards engaging civil society actors and the public through innovative activities such as advocacy campaigns, forums, networks, music, art, film or media related projects. Deadline to submit proposals is Monday 16 June 2008.

The application form is available English at www.mobilising4malaria.org and http://www.ethiopia.coalitionagainstmalaria.org/

TROISIĖME SĒRIES DE SUBVENTIONS POUR INNOVATIONS DANS LE PLAIDOYER CONTRE LE PALUDISME

Malaria Consortium reçoit actuellement les candidatures pour des Subventions pour Innovations dans le Plaidoyer contre le Paludisme. Les demandes sont invitées de la part des organisations communautaires, non-gouvernementales, des médias, et des individus (au sein d’institutions ou sponsorisés par une organisation) en Afrique et en Asie, s’engageant dans la mise en place d’activités innovantes destinées à accroître l’implication de la société civile et de l’opinion publique par exemple au travers de campagnes d’information, de forums, de réseaux, ou de projets musicaux, artistiques, cinématographiques ou médiatiques, seront acceptées.

Les candidatures doivent être remises au plus tard avant le lundi 16 juin 2008.

Le formulaire à remplir est disponible à www.mobilising4malaria.org et http://cameroon-fr.coalitionagainstmalaria.org/

Delphine Valette
International Advocacy Coordinator
Malaria Consortium Worldwide
  
Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7549 0218 (Direct line)
      + 44 (0)20 7549 0210
Fax:+ 44 (0)20 7549 0211

European Malaria Vaccine Development Association

Call for Proposals
Call for Selecting New Potential Malaria Vaccine Candidates and the Developing Institutions to Enter into EMVDA

The purpose of the present call is to invite the scientific community to submit a proposal on the clinical testing of a malaria blood stage candidate vaccine. Institutions developing selected candidates will enter into the EMVDA programme, and be encouraged to enter the preclinical comparative platform. As part of the EMVDA programme institutions will be eligible to respond to an internal call for GMP production and phase 1 clinical trials. Further information on the call and procedures can be found at http://www.emvi.org/emvda+home/calls.

Development of Novel Interventions and Tools for the Control of Malaria, Neglected Tropical Diseases and their Vectors (R01)
Call for Applications by NIH

Key Dates
Release/Posted Date: March 7, 2008
Opening Date: June 10, 2008 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): June 10, 2008
NOTE: On-time submission requires that applications be successfully submitted to Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization).
Application Due Date(s): July 10, 2008
Peer Review Date(s): November, 2008
Council Review Date(s): January 2009
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): May 2009
Additional Information To Be Available Date (Activation Date): Not Applicable
Expiration Date: July 11, 2008

More information about this grant opportunity is found here:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-08-005.html

EMVI 2007 Call for Proposals: Development and Clinical Testing of Candidate Molecules Towards Experimental P. falciparum Malaria Vaccines

Deadline for submission: Friday 23 November 2007, 17:00 hours

Download Application Form

EMVI’s mission is

To contribute to the global efforts to control malaria by:

1. Providing a mechanism for accelerated development of malaria vaccines in Europe and Developing Countries.
2. Promoting affordability and accessibility of malaria vaccines in Developing Countries.

EMVI shall contribute to the post validation phase of nationally and internationally funded malaria vaccine research and development, and facilitate the process that takes experimental malaria vaccines through to limited GMP production and clinical trials. EMVI will not support antigen discovery studies.

European and Developing country research groups are invited to submit full proposals for the continued development and clinical testing of candidate molecules towards experimental P. falciparum malaria vaccines.

EMVI may support work, which will move potential candidates into the clinical trials phase, including late stage pre-clinical studies in non-human primates, formulation, process development, GMP production, toxicology and clinical trials

Any proposals will be considered, including those addressing the potential for immediate or future combinations of two or more components. (For definition of combination vaccines and reflection on the many challenges facing development of combination vaccines, please refer to EMVI’s web site http://www.emvi.org/meeting+reports.

EMVI’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of independent scientists, - please refer to http://www.emvi.org assisted by other experts as the need arises, will review the proposals.

EMVI actively collaborates with among others the international malaria vaccine funders mentioned on the website www.emvi.org, and is a partner in the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP).

In elaborating a proposal you are advised to address the following key issues systematically.

1) Epidemiology:

• What is known and what information is lacking?
• Are epidemiological studies needed for the development of the vaccine?
• If known, what is (are) the hypothetical or assumed correlate(s) of protection or immunity in target populations?

2) Scientific rationale:

a) Background:

• Target populations: age, geographical zones, special risk groups. Are there genetic (haplotype)differences in populations that do better than others, immunologically and clinically?

b) Antigen choice; stage specific or multistage, pros and cons

• Single or multiple antigens
• Is it known the antigen an essential gene?
• Document genetic variability?
• Any homology with human proteins?
• What is the immune response to this (these) antigen(s) in naturally exposed populations?
• Are certain immune responses correlated to better clinical outcomes?
• What are the theoretical/hypothetical reasons why an immune-response to this (these) tigen(s)would be detrimental to the parasite?
• Are there in-vivo or in-vitro tests to support this?
• Expected performance of the vaccine.
• What would the investigator consider the best proof of concept test that could be designed?

c) Choice of vector/formulation/antigen-presentation/expression system

• Does the investigator know what type of immune-response needs to be induced?
• Has an antigen delivery system that achieves the required response been identified?
• Is this system validated in humans? in animals? as a viable option for wide spread/scale-up and use? Discuss advantages and limitations
• Competing products: Other vaccines, other available products

d) Preclinical development:

• Correlates of protection; development of immunological tests for the assessment of the quality of the immune response; animal models

e) Route of administration:

• Is there any data to support alternative routes of administration of interest for the antigen?

f) Summary of clinical development to date, if any

3) Vaccine production:

• What are the plans for process development/manufacturing?
• Is an adjuvant needed?
• What reagents will have to be developed to control product and its immunogenicity?
• What assays need to be developed or validated prior to initiating clinical trials?
• Quality control studies:
• Animal studies including pharmaco-toxicological studies
• Stability studies
• Potency assay
•  Are the tests already developed? Are there already any product characteristics and product specifications available?

4) Clinical development strategy:

· Describe the intended clinical development strategy, including primary and secondary clinical endpoints, which will result in a clear decision to proceed to development with a well-defined product and with reasonable probability of success.

•  Define the rationale for phase 1 - 2a studies.
•  Are there pivotal studies that would form the basis for GO/NO-GO decisions?
•  Define hypothesis, objectives, main outcome measurement, study design and time-lines.

The proposal-text should not exceed 25 (twenty-five) pages. The operational plans should be explained in work packages. The number of work packages should not exceed 6 (six). Elaboration of ethical aspects and the benefits for target populations is also required.

The proposal does not need to be anonymous, and relevant literature should be referred to in the text and a list of references should be provided as the ultimate page(s) in the Application Form (Click link to download).

Manuscripts submitted, but not yet published, can be attached, and essential research results not yet ready for submission can be submitted together with the proposal in a format, which describes and discusses the results, strictly to substantiate the proposal. Relevant reprints can be annexed.

The penultimate page of the proposal should be a budget outline relating to each work package.

Proposals will be dealt with in confidence. They should be e-mailed to:

Dr. Odile Leroy
Executive Director, EMVI
C/O Statens Serum Institut
Artillerivej 5
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Denmark
e-mail: oly@ssi.dk with a copy to:

Dr. Babatunde Imoukhuede
Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, EMVI
12 Bell House, Ewen Crescent
Tulse Hill
London SW2 2PW
United Kingdom
e-mail: ebi@ssi.dk

and

Professor Nils Strandberg Pedersen
CEO
C/O Statens Serum Institut
Artillerivej 5
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Denmark
e-mail: nsp@ssi.dk

Additional information is available from Dr. Odile Leroy or Dr Babatunde Imoukhuede.

A decision will be communicated to applicants by mid February 2008.

Call for Applications for the Award of Research Training Grants - 2008
The UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) invites applications for the award of Research Training Grants (RTG) from individuals who are nationals of, and employed in, least developed disease endemic countries (LDC) and developing disease endemic countries (DEC) with lesser developed research capacities. RTGs are awarded, on a competitive basis, for studies leading to a postgraduate degree, or for acquiring specialized skills. Studies must be on one or more of the TDR target diseases - malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, leprosy, dengue and tuberculosis, in laboratory, clinical, applied field research and social sciences disciplines, relevant to TDR and/or national priorities.

All applications must be received by 15 November 2007
Further information please go to the website : http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/grants/
and please contact Mr. Steven Wayling (waylings@who.int)

Call for applications for Career Development Fellowships and sabbatical opportunities for knowledge management and translation in infectious diseases of poverty in the framework of the TropIKA.net initiative
All applications must be received by 15 October 2007
Further information please go to the website : http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/grants
and please contact:
Attention Edith Certain
Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases
World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Telephone: +41-22-791-2061 Fax: +41-22-791-4854
E-mail: tdrstewardship@who.int

Current calls for application EDCTP: www.edctp.org

• Support for Ethics Review Committee
• Malaria in pregnancy
• Malaria treatment
• Networks of Excellence
• TB treatment
• Malaria vaccines
• TB vaccines
• Senior Fellowships
• Call for reviewers