Published on 26 March 2008
Deadline: 5 June 2009
Grant scheme | Networking |
Call identifier | JP_2008_10800 |
Available funds | € 5 million |
Open to application | 26 March 2008 |
Deadline of application | 5 June 2009 |
Please note: The 5 June 2009 deadline for the Joint Programme Activities (JPA) call will be the last opportunity for applications to be submitted. The JPA call has been an open-ended call with 6-monthly deadlines until either December 2009 or until the available funding is allocated. As there will be insufficient funds remaining for any further applications after the June deadline, this call will then be closed.
Description of the Grant Scheme
EDCTP recognises the need and importance of networking in ensuring successful and sustainable outcomes. Networking is therefore one of the main pillars of EDCTP activities and is used to achieve integration and coordination of European national programmes, strong north-north, north-south and south-south partnerships, transfer of technology, synergy and sustainability of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.
Purpose of this Grant
The grant aims to funding projects that will identify and strengthen joint programme activities (JPAs) and contribute to the integration of the national programmes of the EDCTP Member States (MS) on clinical trials of drugs and vaccines against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa within the scope of the EDCTP remit . It aims to enhance the activities of researchers investigating the same topic or disease, reduce duplication of effort and improve collaborations within or between African institutions and research centres.
Therefore when submitting proposals it is essential that applicants include projects or activities that involve or are sponsored by one or more European MS, but not funded by EDCTP, in order to link them with other similar projects or with projects that are already funded by EDCTP in order to increase overall integration of European MS' activities.
Proposals should fall under one of the following categories:
- Category A – Is defined as ongoing projects funded by at least 2 EDCTP-EEIG member states (MSs) but not funded by EDCTP. These activities would be expected to have shared coordination and/or shared management resources and/or shared strategy and/or a funded joint project. Such initiatives may seek EDCTP funds in order to enhance the current project, particularly through participation of one or more additional MS and/or additional sub-Saharan states.
- Category B – Is defined as two or more individual ongoing projects that are funded by at least 2 different MS which have potential for adding value through collaboration or integration of activities but where the projects are not currently working together or have very limited collaboration. Such initiatives may seek EDCTP funds in order to join efforts and integrate activities through networking or infrastructure initiatives. Projects supported by only one MS proposing other MS as participants may also be considered.
- Category C – Is defined as ongoing projects already funded by EDCTP. Such initiatives may seek supplementary EDCTP funds in order to include additional partner projects already receiving funding from a European MS, but not from EDCTP.
Examples of eligible networking activities that can be of added value include:
- A. The development or extension of research and/or capacity building partnerships. For example:
i. Inclusion of new partner(s)
ii. Linking existing initiatives
iii. Integration of research and/or training activities
iv. Joint research or training
v. Extension of existing activities with greater involvement of networking partners - B. Joint logistics between partners
i. Reporting/audit
ii. Sharing of equipment or facilities
iii. Sharing of information, data or other common resources
iv. setting up of a coordination mechanism
Applicants must specify each project included in the proposal by name, indicating which European MS supports the project and the value of that support, be it in cash or in kind. Inclusion of additional African projects or institutions may also improve the quality of the application. However, additional European MS participation is essential. Applicants must be able to show the added value to research or capacity building to be achieved by linking such projects together.
Funding
Proposals should be of maximum duration of 3 years. The maximum amount of funds that can be granted for each proposal by EDCTP is €300.000, with the exception of proposals involving only networking activities (Aii, Bi, and Biv) in which case the maximum amount is limited to €100.000.
Since this grant scheme concerns already funded activities, new cofunding is not a requirement but it is encouraged.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications should be submitted in English and in the correct format (please see the ‘How to complete the application form’ section in the application form) before the stipulated deadline
- The proposed activity must contribute towards the mission of EDCTP and fall under its general scope
- The application must include a project coordinator and participants from at least two of the EDCTP-EEIG member states and at least one sub-Saharan African country
- All proposals must have participation and existing public funding contribution from at least two EDCTP-EEIG member states
- The proposal must fall under one of three categories, A, B or C, which are mentioned in the Call text.
- Projects already funded by EDCTP are ineligible for this call unless they request funding under category C for including a new partner to expand their network with another MS
- Environmental Screening Note (ESN) and recommendations for minimising any environmental impact have to be provided.
Selection Criteria
I. Project added value (objectives, feasibility, impact on EDCTP’s Joint Programme of Activities (JPA), quality and record of investigators, quality of the proposed methodology).
II. EDCTP relevance (public health relevance for developing countries, adequacy of proposal in context of the call, added value in terms of integration of member state activities).
III. Implementation plan of capacity building (e.g. on research activities, staff and facilities development, networking activities, training activities, consortium management activities, work planning and package of each participant including deliverable list, performance indicators).
IV. Potential impact (need for strengthening, restructuring existing research capacities, knowledge dissemination, use of resources, sustainability and anticipated effect on overall results).
V. Compliance with national and international standards of research, Good Clinical Practice, ethics and safety related issues (in accordance with EDCTP guidelines) if applicable.
VI. Clinical trial management (product development committee, sponsorship, daily management for the trial) if applicable.
VII. Networking (alignment with the priorities of the EDCTP’s JPA, demonstrated added value of EDCTP input, enhancement of MS activities integration).
VIII. Consortium description (role of participants, achievement of objectives, involvement of private sector, participation of at least two public institutions from European EEIG Member States as well as at least one African Institution).
IX. Project Management (organisational structure, decision-making mechanisms, knowledge management).
X. Project resources (existing funding, mobilisation of resources - personnel, equipment and finances in accordance with EDCTP financial requirements, and where applicable, cofunding arrangements).
Submitted applications will be reviewed by a panel of members from EDCTP constituencies (2 members of the DCCC, 2 members of the ENNP and 2 members of the PB). Since the projects have already been reviewed by a MS for the science, EDCTP’s review committee will only review the added value of its support and validate the joint programme criteria of the project. Members of the review panel cannot act as project coordinators or participants in any application to this call. The final decision on funding will be taken by the EDCTP-EEIG Assembly. EDCTP reserves the right to adapt the timelines of procedure in case of unexpected events.
Additional Information
- Please note that EDCTP will not be the sponsor of any trial
- The award is not renewable
- EDCTP will not serve as sponsor in residence or working permit requirements
- The European Network of National Programmes (ENNP), consisting of representatives of the European national programmes, develops proposals to coordinate and join national activities and funding. These members are the so-called European Networking Officers (ENO’s). ENOs from involved MS should be aware of the proposal at the time of submission. Contact an ENO by using the Contact ENO form on the EDCTP website.
- The Call is open-ended and will remain open until October 2009 or until all available funds are allocated. Submissions can be made on or before the specified deadlines but will only be evaluated twice a year. In 2008 the evaluation will take place shortly after the deadlines of 5 June and 5 December 2008. Submissions received after these dates will only be evaluated six months later.
List of the EDCTP-EEIG Member States
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
List of Sub-Saharan African countries
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Submission
Applications should be submitted electronically to: proposals[at]edctp.org
For submission please use and read carefully the following documents:
If your queries are not included in the FAQ list, please contact proposals[at]edctp.org
Legal information and support
EDCTP is supported by the Directorate General for Research of the European Commission, via Article 169 of the Treaty, decision No 1209/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 June 2003.
EDCTP conforms to the legislation of The Netherlands concerning the Personal Data Protection Act.
« Return to overview
