Call for grant applications Research on the impact of insecticide resistance mechanisms on malaria control failure in Africa Deadline for submissions: 2 December 2013, 17:00 hours CET Research teams from African research institutions, in collaboration with National Malaria Control Programmes (NMCPs) are invited to submit proposals to undertake prospective multi-country studies (in at least 3 countries of different epidemiological characteristics per proposal) to assess insecticide resistance mechanisms and their effects on malaria control failure under field conditions in Africa. The research will be conducted in sites where malaria vector control activities are ongoing and that are known to have vector resistance to the insecticides commonly used for indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated nets. The research will use existing proven tools (including molecular markers) to identify resistance mechanisms and their effects on control failure in the ongoing malaria control programmes. This call is in support of the roadmap for implementation of the global plan for resistance management in malaria vectors in Africa. Consequently, research teams and NMCPs involved in the activities of the African Network for Vector Resistance (ANVR) to insecticides are particularly invited to apply. Under this call, only one multi-country proposal will be selected for funding for two years for a maximum total funding of US$ 400 000. I. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE Malaria is a preventable and treatable vector-borne disease. In 2010, an estimated 219 million cases occurred globally, with an estimated 660 000 deaths, mostly children under five years of age. Vector control interventions represent a key component of the malaria control strategy. Currently, they are mainly based on the use of chemical insecticides for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) of houses. Mosquito resistance to at least one insecticide used for malaria control has been identified in 64 countries. Consequently, monitoring insecticide resistance is a necessary element of the implementation of insecticide-based vector control interventions. In 2011, 77 countries reported that they had adopted the policy of insecticide resistance monitoring: http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report_2012/report/en/index.html As requested by the 64th World Health Assembly in 2011, in May 2012, WHO s Global Malaria Programme (GMP) and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partnership released the Global Plan for Insecticide Resistance Management (GPIRM) in malaria vectors (GPIRM 2012 http://www.who.int/malaria/vector_control/ivm/gpirm/en/index.html). GPIRM provides an action plan based on a five-pillar strategy (including a research agenda) to address the challenges posed to 1
malaria control by the threat of development and spread of insecticide resistance. WHO and its stakeholders called upon partners to contribute to the implementation of the GPIRM action plan. Monitoring of insecticide resistance is a critical element for any medium- / large-scale deployment of insecticide-based vector control intervention. However, the point at which resistance reduces the effectiveness of vector control is still uncertain and may depend on locally identified resistance mechanisms. In order to address this challenge, through this call TDR research will contribute to the implementation of the GPIRM action plan by addressing GPIRM Strategy Pillar IV: Fill gaps in knowledge on mechanisms of insecticide resistance and the impact of current insecticide management approaches. In addition, it will complement the efforts of the WHO Regional Office for Africa by supporting the implementation of its global plan for resistance management in malaria vectors. II. OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES The overall objective of the call is to support research teams from African institutions to undertake research in collaboration with national malaria control programmes to assess the mechanisms of resistance to the insecticides used in malaria control in Africa, and to establish a link between resistance and control failure (including the contributions of different resistance mechanisms) under field conditions. The research is expected to result in: Better understanding of insecticide resistance mechanisms and their impact on malaria control failure Better understanding of the impact of core vector control interventions (IRS and LLIN) on malaria transmission and disease burden in relation to the presence of insecticide resistant vectors Improved insecticide resistance management strategies and optimization of the implementation of vector control interventions III. THEMATIC FOCUS The focus is a prospective multi-country research (at least 3 countries of different epidemiological characteristics per proposal) to assess insecticide resistance mechanisms and their effects on malaria control failure in Africa. The research will be conducted in sites where malaria vector control activities are ongoing and that are known to have vector resistance to the insecticides commonly used for indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated nets. The research will use existing proven tools (including molecular markers) to identify resistance mechanisms and their effects on control failure in the ongoing malaria control programmes. 2
IV. FUNDING SCOPE AND SELECTION PROCESS Only one proposal will be selected for funding for two years for a maximum total funding of US$ 400 000. The proposal will be selected following an open competitive call for applications from African research institutions and targeting malaria endemic countries in Africa. The selection of projects for funding under this call will be conducted independently by a Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) to be established by TDR. The SAG will review and evaluate the proposals submitted based on scientific merit, relevance to the call and feasibility. Progress for the first year will be evaluated and the funded grant will be renewed for a second year depending on satisfactory reporting. V. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Research teams from African research institutions, in collaboration with national malaria control programmes, are invited to submit proposals. This call is in support of the roadmap for the implementation of the global plan for resistance management in malaria vectors in Africa. Consequently, research teams and NMCPs involved in the activities of the African Network for Vector Resistance to Insecticides are particularly invited to apply. Proposals that build on existing networks, involve collaboration with NMCPs, complementing ANVR activities and with a capacity building component in African countries are strongly encouraged. VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA An external scientific advisory group appointed by Director TDR will review the proposals based on criteria such as scientific merit, relevance and feasibility, taking into account gender and equity issues. Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the SAG in consideration of the following criteria: Scientific merit Appropriate problem statement and rationale Clear and well defined objectives Appropriate and feasible research questions Concise, pertinent, complete and appropriate literature review Appropriate study design, methodology and data collection and analysis plan and reporting Consideration of ethical issues arising from the research Relevance Fit with the theme and scope of the call and description of the context in terms of control needs Appropriateness of the methodology to the problem and the context (with clear involvement of national malaria control programmes) African ownership and engagement in north-south and south-south partnerships 3
Consideration given to gender balance and social and economic equity issues, including active participation of women investigators in the study conduct Potential for strengthening existing capacity (including organizational) of the research team and institution(s) Potential to influence policy through policy linkages with research results Dissemination and utilization plan of research results Feasibility Feasible implementation timeline (Gantt chart) Soundness and appropriateness of budget Quality/suitability of the institution(s)/team (composition, expertise) for the proposed tasks Ability of the principal investigator to manage the project based on track record Outcome-oriented monitoring and evaluation framework Leveraged resources (contributions in-kind, financial or services contributed by other stakeholders) Risk assessment and management approach to the project VII. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS Proposals can be submitted in English or French using the TDR grant application form available at: http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/application_reporting_forms/grant_application_form.doc The completed application form may be sent by email (to ramirezb@who.int and tourey@who.int) or post, to arrive no later than the deadline stipulated. Facsimile (fax) forms or submissions arriving after the deadline will not be processed for review. In addition, Part I (administrative information) and the budget (with original signatures) must be sent by post/courier to TDR offices in Geneva: Dr Yeya Touré TDR / VES World Health Organization 20 Avenue Appia 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland Proposals must be submitted no later than 2 December 2013 For additional information, please contact Dr Bernadette Ramirez or Dr Yeya T. Touré 4
VIII. ABOUT TDR The mission of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases is To foster an effective global research effort on infectious diseases of poverty and promote the translation of innovation to health impact in disease endemic countries. The mission is implemented through two main complementary and interacting lines of activity: (1) intervention and implementation research and (2) research capacity strengthening and knowledge management. The intervention and implementation research programme is composed of the following research areas: Intervention research: developing and evaluating methods, tools and strategies for effective treatment and control of disease Implementation and operational research: optimizing the translation of innovation to health impact in disease endemic countries Research on vectors, environment and society: addressing complex interactions influencing disease transmission and control, through integrated, multidisciplinary, ecosystem- and community-based research TDR research on vectors, environment and society (VES) fosters implementation research to develop and evaluate innovative and improved vector control methods and strategies under social, environmental and climate change conditions. Moreover, it explores optimal ways to engage different types of communities in the delivery and scale-up of interventions for the control of major vector-borne and other poverty related diseases. Through these objectives, TDR research on VES will contribute to the Programme s impact goal of improving health through research and innovation by ensuring that communities have enhanced access to improved control interventions that ultimately contribute to decreased transmission and disease burden. 5