The research grants are limited to US$ 10,000.

The funds under the grant can only be used to cover expenses directly related to the proposed research project. Eligible expenses may include but not limited: 

Salaries

Allowable:

• Funds may be used to pay part-time staff fees, office staff, graduate students and other workers for their labor in support of the research projects.

 Not allowable:

• Funds may NOT be used to add to or supplement the salary of existing full time scientists, administrators or administrative staff who are not directly working on the research project.

Equipment & Software

Allowable:

• Leasing or renting equipment for the duration of the project.
• Purchase of equipment that will remain in the department as a way of increasing long-term capacity for conducting research.
• Fees for software necessary to conduct the research project

Not Allowable:

• Equipment and/or software that will become the property of an individual researcher at the completion of the project

Travel

 Allowable:

• Where travel is necessary for the performance of the project, the most economical means of transport should be used.
• Airfare for projects funded through must be at no more than economy rate, if possible. Awardees will be provided with more details and exceptions in the final contract.
• Transportation between the airport and hotel shall be by the most economical means available.
• Vehicles may be rented or hired for travel to remote field work.
• The cost of any airport taxes and other taxes incurred, as well as necessary visas and inoculations may be charged to the grant.

Not Allowable:

• Upgrades to business class or first class.
• Telephone calls during travel are not covered by this grant.
• Excess baggage fees will be covered only for items necessary to the project.
• Side trips or other items unnecessary to the project.

Per Diems

 Allowable:

• A per diem may be provided to Project team members when performance of the project requires them to travel away from their home and spend a full night or more away. The per diem is provided to cover costs of accommodation and a daily allowance.

Other Expenses

Allowable:

• Printing.
• Copying.
• Communication.
• Rental of meeting rooms.

Not Allowable

• Administrative overhead

The budget proposal for the research project should be in US dollars and should include a breakdown of expenses.

The budget should indicate the following categories:

• Personnel;
• Travel and logistic expenses;
• Sub-contracts;
• Translation cost (if applicable);
• Other expenses;
• University fees;
• Total.

For exchange rate information please see Oanda Currency Converter.

Researchers can leverage AI technologies as a supportive tool to improve writing, but all intellectual contributions and research of the papers should be the result of human effort and expertise. Scholars are required to provide a detailed description of any instances where AI was used, including the specific tasks, extent of AI usage and applications involved.

Yes, undergraduate students, as well as graduate students, post-doctorate students, and faculty members, are eligible to apply. However, student applicants must have an experienced supervisor who will provide guidance and oversight throughout the research process.

Low- and middle-income countries for this research grants program are defined based on the country classifications provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

Yes, you are eligible to apply for the research grants program if you are if you are a national of a low- or middle-income country, even if you currently reside in a high-income country. However, please keep in mind that your research project must focus on addressing issues within a low- or middle-income country context.

All of the countries on this list are eligible for grants, including upper-middle income countries (but not high-income country).

Yes, international collaborations and partnerships between various institutions are encouraged. A letter of support from a relevant partner institution should be included in the application.

While the program is primarily focused on researchers from low- and middle-income countries, collaborations with researchers from high-income countries or institutions are not explicitly prohibited. However, the primary applicant must be from a low- or middle-income country, and the research should primarily address the needs and challenges of last mile communities in those countries.

Yes, researchers are encouraged to disseminate their research findings through academic journals or conferences. Publishing your findings in reputable journals or presenting them at conferences can contribute to the expansion of the evidence base and knowledge in the field. However, it is important to ensure that any publication or presentation acknowledges the support received from the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC).

No, there are no specific restrictions on the research methods or approaches that can be used. Researchers are encouraged to approach their projects with creativity and innovation and choose their preferred methods and approaches. However, it is important to ensure that the chosen methods and approaches are appropriate for addressing the research questions and objectives outlined in the proposal.

While the program does not provide explicit guidelines on ethics, it is important for researchers to ensure that their studies adhere to ethical principles. This includes obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting their privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing any potential harm or risks associated with the research. Researchers should also consider the ethical implications of their research on the last mile communities and ensure that their work promotes inclusivity and respect.

The program welcomes both completely new research projects and extensions of ongoing studies. However, if it is an extension of a previous study, the proposal should clearly outline how the new research project builds upon and expands the existing work.