Planning Grants for International Malaria Clinical, Operational and Health Services Research Training Programs (D71) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the purpose of the Planning Grants for International Malaria Clinical, Operational and Health Services Research Training Programs (D71) opportunity?

This NIH opportunity, led by the Fogarty International Center, supports the early-stage planning and design work needed to develop new malaria research training programs in countries prioritized by the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI). The funding is intended to help applicants build a strong, feasible, and well-structured training program concept rather than launch and run a full program immediately.

2) Is this funding meant to operate a full malaria training program right away?

No. This uses the NIH D71 planning grant mechanism, which is specifically aimed at supporting up-front planning activities. The expectation is that the award will help recipients design and prepare a future training program and potentially position the team to apply later for a larger, full-scale training grant.

3) What types of malaria research training are expected to be strengthened through this planning grant?

The planned programs are expected to strengthen skills related to malaria-focused clinical research, operational research, and public health and health services research.

4) Who are the intended trainees or beneficiaries of the training programs being planned?

The intended trainees and beneficiaries include clinical scientists, public health researchers, social scientists, and health care professionals, with an emphasis on building in-country capacity in PMI-targeted settings.

5) Which countries are prioritized for capacity building under this opportunity?

The planning effort is intended to support programs in PMI-targeted countries: Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

6) What is the NIH grant mechanism used for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses the NIH D71 planning grant mechanism, which is designed to fund structured development work for a training program concept (not full implementation).

7) What kinds of activities can D71 planning funds be used for in practical terms?

Based on the description provided, planning activities can include refining program goals and the research-training curriculum, defining trainee selection and mentorship approaches, building partnerships and institutional commitments, mapping the local research and training environment, and developing an implementation plan that could support a later, larger training grant application.

8) What kinds of deliverables or outputs are expected from awardees?

Because this is a planning mechanism, the expectation is that awardees will produce concrete planning outputs such as a clearly articulated training model, administrative and mentoring structures, evaluation approaches, and a realistic sustainability plan and pathway to future funding.

9) How many awards were anticipated each year?

Fogarty anticipated making two to four new awards per year during the FY 2009 to FY 2011 period.

10) What is the expected budget range for this planning grant?

The expected budget level is relatively small and aligned with planning activity: approximately USD 50,000 to USD 100,000 per year in total costs. The total costs figure includes both direct costs and facilities and administrative (F&A) costs.

11) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

12) What is the program classification or funding category described?

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant within the NIH health activity area and is associated with CFDA 93.989 (International Research and Research Training).

13) Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?

Eligibility is described as broad and includes private institutions of higher education and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education, along with other organizations as described in the full announcement.

14) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are explicitly eligible, which aligns with the goal of strengthening malaria research training capacity in PMI focus countries.

15) What is the role of partnerships and institutional commitments in this planning grant?

The planning grant is meant to support the building of partnerships and institutional commitments as part of the structured development of the training program. These partnerships are intended to help ensure the planned program is feasible and grounded in local priorities and capabilities.

16) Why does the opportunity emphasize operational constraints, health systems, and community or behavioral considerations?

The description highlights that malaria control and elimination needs on the ground often involve operational constraints, health system factors, and community and behavioral considerations in addition to biomedical questions. The planning process is encouraged to account for these realities when shaping a relevant training program.

17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-08-200.

18) When was the announcement originally posted?

The original NIH posting date was July 14, 2008.

19) What is known about the closing timeline and archival status?

Administrative details in the archived record indicate a closing timeline around 2010, and the record was later archived in April 2010.

20) Where were applicants directed to find the full official requirements and application instructions?

Applicants were directed to the NIH grants page for PAR-08-200 for the full official requirements, application instructions, and any special eligibility clarifications.

21) Who was identified for support with technical access issues related to the application process?

NIH Office of Extramural Research support contacts were provided for technical access issues, according to the information summarized from the archived record.