MRC/NIHR/GACD Call: Scaling-up of evidence-based interventions at the population level for the prevention and/or management of hypertension and/or diabetes (deadline: 10th Sept 2018)

The Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), in partnership with the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) is seeking to generate new knowledge on interventions and their implementation for the prevention or management of hypertension and/or diabetes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Background

In the past 20 years the global death rate from diabetes has doubled and the World Health Organization is predicting that this will increase by two-thirds by 2030. It is currently estimated that 422 million adults worldwide suffer from diabetes, of which 80% are from LMICs. 

Furthermore, obesity – a major contributor to hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes – is on the rise globally, including in LMICs due to changes in diet, and a move from more agricultural economies to greater industrialisation and urbanisation.

To avoid significant and growing burdens on future populations, it is critically important to implement strategies that will prevent people from developing hypertension and diabetes and for improving the detection and management of these diseases once onset. 

   Objective

Proposals are invited that focus on implementation research which examines interventions that aim to prevent and/or manage hypertension and diabetes in LMICs.

Through the launch of a global call, the GACD aims to develop a global network of researchers that can enhance the cumulative learning across the individual projects and work towards understanding how socio-economic, cultural, geopolitical and policy contexts have influenced results and how findings might be adapted and applied in different settings.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is jointly supported by the the MRC and NIHR. MRC will be the awarding body.

Studies funded should focus upon countries with low or middle income economies.

The MRC-NIHR-GACD call funds partnership-working between UK researchers and researchers based in LMICs. The principal investigators applying for this call must be hosted by a UK institution which is eligible for MRC funding. However, the expectation is that projects will be collaborative endeavours, with shared scientific and intellectual leadership. All projects submitted must include co-investigators from the LMICs where the work will take place.

Level of funding

Collectively, the MRC and NIHR will invest up to £6 million for this initiative. This amount is expected to fund several awards.

For further information about scope, expected impact, eligible countries of origin for co-investigators and application guidelines, please see the MRC website.