EDCTP welcomes proposals for tuberculosis vaccines and HIV/AIDS treatment projects

EDCTP welcomes project proposals as a response to the following calls: Tuberculosis vaccines, HIV/AIDS treatment and Member States Initiated projects.

TUBERCULOSIS VACCINES

Available funds:                      3 million euro
Number of projects to fund:     3-6 projects
Open to application:               15 August 2009
Deadline of application:          15 December 2009

Purpose of the grant
The effectiveness of the currently recommended vaccine in use for tuberculosis (TB), BCG, can be described as variable at best. Drug treatment of TB is long and burdensome, and requires direct observation by a health worker. This and the fact that TB diagnosis in developing countries is often made late when patients are already spreading the disease to others justifies the main objective of this call: to support the conduct of Phase II clinical trials of TB vaccines in African countries with a focus on new and upcoming TB vaccines such as recombinant BCG vaccines. Research proposals that combine clinical trials, capacity building and networking are invited.

HIV/AIDS TREATMENT
Available funds:                        5 million euro
Number of projects to fund:      2-4
Open to application:                 15 August 2009
Deadline of application:            15 December 2009

Purpose of the grant
The burden of HIV/AIDS in developing countries is on the increase, mainly due to the association of HIV/AIDS with TB. In addition, it has been estimated that at least 9.7 million HIV-infected people are in need of new or improved antiretroviral (ART) treatment. The current grant aims to support clinical trials to optimise treatment of HIV-infection by reducing high early mortality. Research proposals may also include a focus on the control and management HIV/TB co-infection, on when to initiate ART in HIV-infection or on alternative interventions. Research proposals that combine clinical trials, capacity building and networking are invited.

MEMBER STATES INITIATED projects on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria
Available funds:                       2.5 million euro
Open to application:                15 August 2009
Deadline of application:           15 November 2009

Purpose of this grant
European Member States often independently fund projects that fall within the remit of EDCTP (clinical trials, capacity building and networking on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria in sub-Saharan Africa). The purpose of this grant is for EDCTP to provide funding and added value to these initiatives by acting as the locus of integration for various projects and programmes that have been independently initiated and or funded by Member States.

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