The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) calls for proposals of joint research projects between scientists in Germany and Africa investigating infectious diseases and their social and societal implications.
The scope of the call includes:
- The investigation of neglected infectious diseases in humans and animals but also research on topics of their social and economical impact.
- The establishment or consolidation of mutually beneficial equal partnerships that allow African researchers to investigate topics of local significance and that open up research opportunities in Africa for German scientists in the long term.
- An additional central goal is to provide support and funding for the academic and professional careers of young African researchers in their home countries in order to contribute to building research capacities in Africa.
- It is furthermore desirable to strengthen research networks within Africa, therefore several African partners may participate in one project.
The DFG primarily seeks to encourage researchers in human and veterinary medicine to apply for funding of projects on the investigation of neglected tropical infectious diseases. Projects researching AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis will only be considered in the scope of the call if they study mechanisms of virulence or the immune response against them. Co-infections can also be topics of project outlines. Projects with a social science or humanities approach will be considered if they investigate consequences of neglected tropical infectious diseases.
The principal investigator submitting the proposal must be integrated into the German research system and is in charge of the project. Funding for the African partner/s has to be applied for within the full proposals later on. Due to the goal of strengthening research capacities at the African sites, it is highly desirable to allocate the majority of funding to the African partners.
Proposals should initially be outlined for a project duration of three years, but should contain a longer-term perspective.
For the full call text please visit the DFG grant call webpage or the DFG main website.