Researchers are invited to apply to the University’s MRC-funded Global Mental Health Call. The scheme supports activities that will lay the grounds for future large scale, multi-disciplinary, cross country global mental health research bids to address issues of primary relevance to LMICs. Costs may include travel to LMIC country where appropriate.
Projects are expected to cost in the region of £20,000-£50,000, and may range from 1 to 12 months, with project activities and expenditure completed by 31st March 2019. Applications from early and mid-career researchers are particularly welcome. This is a devolved portfolio funded by the MRC, and proposals must therefore meet the usual MRC remit criteria (e.g., a high relevance to health).
Priority areas are detailed in the background document, and include:
Projects may build on existing collaborations or form new ones. The background document (Office document, 18kB) highlights existing collaborative links already established. Priority will be given to applications that have been co-developed by University researchers and partners in LMICs, in particular those described in the background document, and which target research questions of relevance to LMICs.
Researchers have been identified in relevant areas in India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Brazil who are willing to collaborate on seed funded projects. Contact details for collaborators in those countries are provided, and applicants considering working with one or more of these countries are encouraged to discuss their proposals with them. LMIC contact details (PDF, 263kB).
Projects will be funded at 100% of direct costs (estate and indirect costs can not be included).
Application process and deadlines PLEASE FOLLOW THE APPLICANT GUIDANCE DOCUMENT (Office document, 44kB)
The University will allocate the awards through an internal open competition. Applications will be assessed according to scientific excellence, feasibility, and benefit to LMIC mental health and capacity building. Priority will be given to projects working with the LMIC partners identified in the background document.
Decisions will be made by the University’s Global Challenges Steering Group (GCSG), chaired by the PVC Research.
Completed applications (case for support (Office document, 112kB) including costings plus CVs (Office document, 23kB) of applicant (s)) should be submitted to research-development@bristol.ac.uk by 12pm on 24th January 2018.
Applications will be assessed by the GCSG on 5th February 2018, and applicants will be informed of the outcome by 7th February 2018. Awardees must spend all funds received by 31st March 2019.
Further details are available in the accompanying Guidance for Applicants and Background documents. Applicants should use the Case for Support template provided.
For queries relating to costing and pricing, please contact your Finance Account Manager. For other queries relating to this scheme, contact research-development@bristol.ac.uk or call Jacqui Oakley on 0117 331 7127.
The following people should be contacted to establish collaborative links with LMIC’s.
Thilini Rajapakse is a Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of Peradeniya with expertise in large cohort studies of violence, self-harm and suicide.
Dr Thilini Rajapakse (gemba471@gmail.com)
Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry
Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka
Beverley Sebastian is Executive Director of Island Hospice and Healthcare in Zimbabwe, she has published extensively in palliative care for vulnerable infants and children.
Beverley Sebastian (MPH) (beverley@islandhospice.co.zw)
Executive Director
Island Hospice and Healthcare
Zimbabwe
Fernando Hartwig is a PhD student in Epidemiology at the Federal University of Pelotas (Brazil) and a Research Associate at the UoB, with experience in genetic data management and analysis, and empirical and methodological research involving Mendelian randomization.
Fernando Pires Hartwig (fernandophartwig@gmail.com)
Research associate
Faculdade de Medinina
Universidade Federal de Pelotas,
Brasil
Sanjeev Jain is a Professor of Psychiatry, at the National Institute of Mental health and Neuro-Sciences with extensive clinical expertise in working with a wide range of psychiatric genetic conditions.
Dr Sanjeev Jain DD DPM (docsanjeev.jain@gmail.com)
Professor of Psychiatry
Molecular Genetics Laboratory
National Institute of Mental health and Neuro Sciences
India
Tamsen Rochat is a Chief Research Specialist, and clinical psychologist, for the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa; her expertise is in maternal and infant stress.
Dr Tamsen Rochet (TRochat@hsrc.ac.za)
Chief Research Specialist
Human Sciences Research Council
Durban
South Africa
