The UNTBLDC-TWAS-ICGEB South-South Programme for Exchanges and Collaborations provides scientists from LDCs who hold a MSc, preferably a PhD, and who are maximum 45 years old, with the opprtunity to pay a visit to either the ICGEB Cape Town, South Africa or the ICGEB New Delhi, India for the duration of 6 months maximum. The aim of the visit is to provide the opportunity to become acquainted with the scientific process, including how to develop a research project and take it to a successful conclusion and how to teach, train and transfer knowledge to younger students and researchers. Moreover, scientists will be exposed to an international scientific environment which will be an asset in the progression of their careers and will also positively impact their institution of origin. The United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, through TWAS, will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay at the host institution, while the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, as host institution, will provide the laboratory facilities and the research support. The administration and financial operation of TWAS is undertaken by UNESCO in accordance with an agreement signed by the two organizations.   Eligibility Applicants must be a maximum age of 45 years on 31 December of the application year; Applicants must have a MSc, preferably a PhD; Applicants must be living and working in a Least Developed Country (LDC); Women scientists are especially encouraged to apply; Proposals need to be on projects relevant to            ICGEB Cape Town: Parasitic Diseases (tuberculosis, African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and helminthic infections); Human viral diseases (emerging viruses); Cancer; Biopesticides; Systems Biology or ICGEB New Delhi: Agricultural biotechnology (Crop improvement, biotic and abiotic stress resistance); Human Viral Diseases (dengue, tuberculosis, Covid19 etc.); Human Parasitic Diseases (Malaria); Recombinant Diagnostics & Vaccines development; Cancer; Biofuels. Submitting your application Applicants must complete the online application form by clicking on the 'Apply now' button at the bottom of this page. While filling in the online application, applicants also need to upload the following documentation: scanned copy of your passport, even if expired (page with your name and surname); CV, maximum two pages including a list of your 6 best publications; a recent invitation letter from the ICGEB host Professor – on the host institution’s letterhead paper – which should contain the proposed time of the visit (up to 6 months) and should refer to the proposed cooperation. It should be made evident that the applicant and the proposed host supervisor have been in contact regarding the scientific work to be done during the visit and that the conditions for conducting the work have been agreed in terms of the timing of the visit and the facilities available; two reference letters from senior scientists familiar with your work. The letters need to be on headed paper and signed; copy of your MSc certificate; evidence of proficiency in English; supporting statement from the Head/Director of the applicant's home institute: it must confirm that the Head/Director is favourable to the application and that the applicant will be granted leave to take up the cooperation visit in South Africa or India if awarded. Timescale and recommendations for applicants It is strongly recommended that you start the process well in advance as the following stages are required: study the host institution website to consider research areas and possible host supervisor; get in touch with potential host supervisor to introduce yourself and discuss research plan for a possible visit; should there be an agreement, obtain acceptance letter from potential host supervisor; register on the online platform, fill in the form and upload all documentation to submit your application. Other information The UNTBLDC-TWAS-ICGEB South-South Programme does not include provisions for accompanying family members. Applications for part-time visits will be considered ineligible. Successful applicants must not take up other assignments during the period of their visits. TWAS shall be entitled to a repayment of all or part of any funds paid to an applicant hereunder, in the event that the applicant intentionally or negligently fails to fulfil any or all of the above conditions. The applicant agrees to pay any reasonable legal and/or collection costs incurred by TWAS to obtain the repayment. Please be advised that applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year in the TWAS and OWSD portfolio. Applicants will not be eligible to visit another institution in that year under the TWAS Visiting Professorprogrammes. One exception: the head of an institution who invites an external scholar to share his/her expertise under the TWAS Visiting Professor programmes may still apply for another programme.   Contact email:  exchanges@twas.org Read more

Link to Newton Award: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326034">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326034   Program Objective: This award will be presented to a single investigator or team of up to two investigators that develops a “transformative idea” to resolve challenges, advance frontiers, and set new paradigms in areas of immense potential benefit to DoD and the nation at large. Proposals should aim to produce novel conceptual frameworks or theory-based approaches that present disruptive ways of thinking about fundamental scientific problems that have evaded resolution, propose new, paradigm-shifting scientific directions, and/or address fundamental and important questions that are argued to be undervalued by the scientific community. Approaches can include analytical reasoning, calculations, simulations, and thought experiments. While the use and production of datasets is allowed, any new supporting data should be generated without the use of any experimentation or instrumentation, as the nation-wide closure of laboratories limits the ability of investigators to follow normal safety procedures set by their institutions, in accordance with federal and state regulations.   Given the novelty of and circumstances surrounding this one-time Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the objective of this program is to generate proposals that are equally novel and pioneering. Therefore, this FOA should be viewed as an opportunity to propose basic research that falls outside the bounds of traditional proposals.   Expectations of Award Recipients: Newton Award recipients will produce novel conceptual frameworks or theoretical approaches to addressing outstanding or emerging challenges facing the scientific community. The resulting frameworks and approaches should include clear predictions that can be tested by the scientific community in the years following the return to the laboratory environment. Findings must be submitted as pre-publication material in open archives and disseminated through open publication in a journal. Award winners will brief the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) leadership at the end of the award period of performance, and may be asked to design and chair a Future Directions Workshop on the topic of their findings. In addition, OUSD(R&E) will support funded projects in finding pathways to continue the funding, validation, and development of their transformative ideas.   Only one proposal total may be submitted by each investigator. Read more

MIT SOLVE Global Challenge Health Security and Pandemics Overview: https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/health-security-pandemics" rel="nofollow">https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/health-security-pandemics   Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest in a series of infectious disease emergencies, including cholera, Ebola, SARS, Chikungunya, HIV/AIDS, and influenza. While scientists and drug developers, with support from governments and multilateral organizations, have been rushing to produce, test, and deliver vaccines and treatments, tech innovators also have a crucial role to play, both in the near term and to prevent and mitigate future disease outbreaks.   In the near term, we need improved solutions for prevention, accurate detection, and rapid response. MIT Solve is seeking tech innovations that can slow and track the spread of an emerging outbreak, for example by improving individual hygiene, developing low-cost rapid diagnostics, analyzing data that informs decision making, and providing tools that support and protect health workers.   At the same time, we cannot solely treat disease outbreaks reactively. Climate change and globalization leave us ever more vulnerable to future epidemics and pandemics, and it’s critical to be prepared. Solve is also seeking solutions that focus on preventative and mitigation measures that strengthen access to affordable primary healthcare systems, enhance disease surveillance systems, and improve healthcare supply chains.   We need your help: If you have a solution, we want you to apply. If you can help us fund a prize for the selected Solver teams, please get in touch with Hala Hanna at hala@solve.mit.edu. You can also donate http://solve.mit.edu/donate" rel="nofollow">http://solve.mit.edu/donate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here—all amounts raised will support the Challenge.   If you can partner with us in any other way, please let us know http://solve.mit.edu/contact" rel="nofollow">http://solve.mit.edu/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.  Read more

USAID is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with decisive action at home and abroad. Our priorities in the COVID-19 response are to protect the safety and health security of our global workforce, ensure that we can continue our life-saving mission across the world, and support partner countries in their response to COVID-19.   To date, USAID has publicly announced $274 million in funding to combat COVID-19. More than $2 billion—which Congress provided to USAID and the State Department in two emergency supplemental appropriations—is being put to work to save lives.   We encourage potential partners to continue monitoring https://www.grants.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://www.grants.gov/">https://www.grants.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://www.grants.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://www.grants.gov/ and https://beta.sam.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://beta.sam.gov/">https://beta.sam.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://beta.sam.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://beta.sam.gov/ (new fedbizops) for new grant and contract opportunities related to COVID-19. Partners may submit unsolicited proposals to COVID19_Concepts@usaid.gov. Read more

US Embassy Abuja COVID-19 Response   Link to Grant Notice: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=COVID">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=COVID   The U.S. Embassy Abuja Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to issue this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support Nigeria’s response against the novel Coronavirus pandemic. This NOFO outlines this funding priority and the procedures for submitting an application. Please carefully read through and follow all instructions below. Implementation of this program remains subject to the approval and availability of funding.    Purpose: PAS seeks to award a limited number of grants to individuals, educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations that are actively working to support Nigeria’s response against COVID 19, either through grassroots effort targeting vulnerable populations, or amplifying government effort in hard to reach areas.     This funding is targeted at projects that have already commenced and not just in the idea phase. Humanitarian assistance, social welfare and construction are not allowed under this funding instrument. Projects must be safe and follow healthcare regulations of the World Health Organization and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control. Applicants are permitted to submit only one proposal per individual/organization.      Read more