The scope of the call includes:
- The investigation of neglected tropical infectious diseases in humans and animals but also research on topics of their social and behavioural aspects.
- ’Neglected' in this context means that little funding for basic research on these diseases is available.
- The establishment or consolidation of mutually beneficial equal partnerships that allow African researchers to investigate topics of local significance and that open up research opportunities in Africa for German scientists in the long term.
- An additional central goal is to provide support and funding for the academic and professional careers of young African researchers in their home countries in order to contribute to building research capacities in Africa.
- It is furthermore desirable to strengthen research networks within Africa, therefore several African partners may participate in one project.
The DFG primarily seeks to encourage researchers in human and veterinary medicine to apply for funding of projects on the investigation of neglected tropical infectious diseases. Projects researching AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis will only be considered in the scope of the call if they study mechanisms of virulence or the immune response against them. Co-infections can also be topics of project outlines. Projects with a social and behavioural approach will be considered if they investigate consequences or conditions of neglected tropical infectious diseases.
The scope of the call excludes:
- funding of research infrastructure (but necessary additions to the equipment can be applied for)
- clinical trials
- development of diagnostic procedures
- search for novel pharmacological substances without primarily investigating their mechanisms of action
- product development
- epidemiological surveys without directly aiming at establishing virulence mechanisms
- projects limited to collecting and/or sequencing of samples or isolates
The principal investigator submitting the proposal must be integrated into the German research system and is in charge of the project. Draft proposals will be evaluated by an international review panel. After competitive assessment, the most convincing concept consortia will be invited to submit full proposals. Funding for the African co-applicants has to be applied for within the full proposals later on. For grant eligibility on the German side, the usual DFG rules apply.
Draft proposals must be submitted via DFG’s electronic submission system “elan” by 26 October 2022.
