Important Dates

Release Date: October 31^st 2014

Letter of Intent Due Date: Nov 21^st 2014

Letter of Intent Feedback from Review Committee: Dec 1^st 2014

Brief Proposal Due: December 15^th 2015

Anticipated award date: January 15^th 2015

(PDF Version of this Document)

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Scope

The Global Health Engagement Network announces the availability of pilot funding for network member institutions. As an outcome of the Inaugural Global
Health Workshop held at Penn State University, May 14-16, 2014, two priority areas for network research and collaboration were identified.

1. Urbanization and Health
2. Intersection of Infectious Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Pilot projects focused on either area will be considered based on the guidelines below. Other areas will be considered but should first be discussed with a
member of the review committee.

Funding Types

There are two types of awards for the 2014-2015 cycle. Up to $50,000 USD may be awarded for projects and collaborative initiatives
described below. It is anticipated that most funded projects will be completed by 12/31/2015.

I. Creating Collaborative Teams: Awards up to $10,000

Funding can be sought to create research teams among network partners around a specific aspect of the two priority areas. Funding may be put toward a small
conference or meeting to discuss innovative approaches to addressing one of the priority areas. Deliverables must include a concrete plan for future
research.

II. Pilot Research Projects: Up to $20,000

Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to exploring the priority areas above are encouraged. Pilot projects should lead to future projects
and should include potential sources for subsequent funding.

Eligibility

The intent of these funds is to encourage new partnerships within the network. Faculty from participating network institutions may apply.
If there are existing international partnerships involving two institutions, a minimum of one additional network institution must be proposed. If this
proposal is for a new partnership, two institutions from different countries are adequate. Due to funding restrictions for this first round of funding, teams must include one Penn State investigator.

Application Process

The application will involve two steps: (1) A letter of intent; and (2) The proposal. During the review of these documents, the review committee will
attempt to be flexible and work with investigators to maximize an application’s possibility of success.

Letter of Intent:

A two (2) page letter of intent should include:

1. An overview and statement of project goals for the proposed pilot project
2. Background and significance
3. Relevance to the network priorities
4. Rationale for project as a network project (as opposed to a project that could be done independently of the network).
5. A description of each partner and the role each will play in the proposed project. Alternatively, an investigator who has not identified a specific
   network partner can describe the role such a partner would need to play.
6. Estimated budget categories and amounts: personnel, recruitment costs, travel (not included in the 2-pages)

Proposal

All proposals should be a maximum of four (4) pages, not including the timeline and budget.

1. Abstract (no more than 250 words): The abstract should give a layperson’s overview of the project, including the purpose and goals. This abstract will
   be posted on the network web portal.
2. Specific Aims (1/2-page max.): State the objectives of the proposed plan.
3. Background and Significance (1/2-page max.): Describe the importance of the proposed topic or team of collaborators in relation to the priority areas.
4. Methods or Strategy for Creating Collaboration (2 pages max.): Describe methods and activities that will be used to complete the collaborative effort or
   research project.
5. Potential for future network collaborations/projects (1/2 page max.): Describe how the proposed project or collaborative effort will lead to future
   network collaborations, projects, scholarly output, or engagement activities.
6. Community collaboration and dissemination plan (This only applies to those conducting Pilot Research Projects; 1/2 page max): Explain how the research
   team will disseminate results and how the team will engage local stakeholders to ensure that the study has practical implications and potential for
   sustainability.
7. Timeline (1 page max.): Describe the project timeline. Please indicate key deliverables.
8. Budget and Budget Justification: Please include a detailed budget and a justification for each line item. Funding may not be used for faculty salaries.
9. A brief bio-sketch (3 pages maximum) for key personnel should be included.

Review Process and Criteria

Letters of intent (LOI) and proposals will be reviewed by the Global Health Network, Pilot Funding Steering committee. The steering committee will review
each LOI and provide feedback before submission of the proposal. For institutional members who would like to submit a proposal and have not identified
partners, please indicate this in the LOI. The review committee will assist in connecting with other network members who fit the proposal criteria.
Applicants may also inquire about potential partners before submitting the LOI. Contact information for members of the review committee is listed below.

Awards

All proposals will receive feedback and, if not funded initially, suggestions will be offered to improve chances of funding in the future.

Proposals that leverage the network and have concrete objectives and deliverables will be prioritized. Proposals must focus on initiatives that would not
be possible without the involvement of the network. Innovation and potential for sustainable collaborative relationships and future work among partners
will also be evaluated.

The number of awarded proposals will depend on the quality, alignment with the GHN’s strategic objectives, and funding. Funded projects must be completed
within 12 months and can only begin once ethical approval has been granted.

Each application will be reviewed by at least 3 partners, including 1 partner from a university not involved with the application.

Deliverables

Awardees are expected to 1) deliver an update and overview of the funded project at the next network meeting and 2) produce a report on outcomes with key
deliverables attached (e.g. agenda from meeting, manuscript, grant proposal). The format for the report will be sent with funding notices.

Future Funding

This is the first round of funding. Funding information for 2015-2016 will be announced in August of 2015.

Review Committee Contact Information

Ed Smith (Chair), Director of the PSU Bennett-Pierce Prevention Research Center: eas8@psu.edu

Rhonda BeLue, PSU Department of Health Policy and Administration: rzb10@psu.edu

Deepti Deobagkar, Pune Director Bioinformatics Centre: deepti@bioinfo.net.in

Benjamin Fredrick, PSU Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine: nfredrick@hmc.psu.edu

Xiang Gao, PSU Department of Nutrition: xxg14@psu.edu

Brian King, PSU Department of Geography: bhk2@psu.edu

Tolullah Oni, UCT School of Public Health: tolullah.oni@uct.ac.za

Stephen Matthews, Director, Graduate Program in Demography, Department of Sociology and Anthropology: sxm27@psu.edu

Ursula WittwerBackofen, Freiburg Biological Anthropology: ursula.wittwer-backofen@uniklinik-freiburg.de