Grants and collaboration
The Polio Research Committee’s call for proposals
The Polio Research Committee (PRC) is currently soliciting research proposals to support the implementation of the Global Polio Emergency Action Plan 2012-13 and the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategy 2014-18, with particular focus on the below topics.
The PRC seeks targeted proposals that address specific needs of polio eradication that will contribute to the effort within 12-18 months. All proposals are reviewed by the PRC which will meet end-September 2012, with outcomes of the reviews available shortly thereafter.
Applications from investigators/researchers in countries with ongoing polio circulation are particularly important to the PRC.
I. Monitoring and improving supplementary immunization activities (activities 2 and 3 of the Global Polio Emergency Action Plan 2012-13)
1. Assess and address barriers to service delivery, including vaccinator team composition, performance, and training and community perceptions around supplementary immunization activities.
2. Investigate attitude, knowledge and practice (KAP) of health workers at all levels.
II. Surveillance (activity 5)
1. Develop new assays to improve sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) detection in stool and environmental samples.
2. Develop new approaches and tools for better genetic, antigenic, transmissibility and pathogenicity characterization of VDPV and borderline Sabin-like viruses (mapping determinants of pathogenicity in pre-emerging and emerging VDPVs).
3. Improve field and laboratory methods for environmental surveillance of polioviruses (safer, more efficient and faster).
III. Vaccines (activity 7)
1. Characterize the immune response after a single dose of inactivated polio vaccine – IPV - (e.g., memory cells, duration) and its ability to prime for an enhanced systemic and mucosal response on oral polio vaccine (OPV) challenge.
2. Assess technical and operational challenges in an IPV demonstration study in high-risk areas in introducing IPV in routine immunization (either as IPV-only schedule or IPV-OPV schedule), and determine impact of IPV on prevention of VDPV emergence.
3. Develop a “low cost” IPV option (e.g., dose-sparing, adjuvanted IPV)
4. Assess different options to improve vaccine availability and utilization at local clinics (e.g., improved monitoring, feedback).
IV. Communication and social mobilization (activity 8)
1. Undertake systematic research/monitoring to identify and understand the social reasons for chronically-missed children.
2. Evaluate different strategies (e.g., based on successful India programme) to reach high-risk and chronically-missed children (e.g. migrant and underserved communities).
3. Assess different approaches to create, sustain and evaluate political commitment and accountability.
Procedure for submission of proposals:
In order to submit a proposal, all applicants should fill out the standard research proposal form [MS Word].
Please also see the detailed guideline [pdf]. It contains detailed information on how to prepare a complete proposal for the PRC.
Researchers are invited to submit proposals by emailing the completed application form to polioresearch@who.int. The application deadline is 31 August 2012. In order to be considered, applicants must turn in a complete research proposal by the deadline. Applications that are incomplete or have missing parts will not be considered.
Principle research investigators can send questions to polioresearch@who.int.