APDC FETP Fellowship 2023-2024 cycle

July, 2023 – December, 2024   

We are pleased to announce the opportunity for FETP trainees and recent graduates to submit Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the next cycle of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition Field Epidemiology Training Program Fellowship (APDC FETP Fellowship).This opportunity furthers the mission of the FETP enterprise in collaboration with the APDC, a first-of-its-kind global scientific and public health partnership dedicated to the early detection of, and rapid response to, future pandemic threats. By connecting global centers of excellence in surveillance, laboratory testing, genetic sequencing and public health research, this collaborative fellowship initiative offers a continuous learning opportunity to FETP trainees and recent graduates, and serves to bridge and strengthen epidemiology and laboratory disciplines amongst our networks. Collaborative implementation of awarded projects and access to a Community of Practice, training resources and a global mentorship network are core elements structured to collectively enhance the Grantee’s learning experience and ensure dissemination of novel findings via conferences and/or publications. The goals of this fellowship are to: 

  • Improve and sustain in-country and regional surveillance and diagnostic laboratory capacity that supports early detection of, and rapid response to, future pandemic threats 
  • Expand technical professional development opportunities to FETP trainees and graduates with a focus on bridging epidemiology and laboratory science 
  • Increase and strengthen collaboration among global FETPs, regional laboratory networks, academic, research and public health institutions  
  • Strengthen epidemiology and diagnostic laboratory capacity in supported countries 

The APDC FETP Fellowship small grants are awarded to first-time recipients for a maximum of US $25,000 and are funded through the generous support of Abbott.  

All projects that are selected for the 2023-2024 cycle of the APDC FETP Fellowship must be initiated and completed during the period of January 31st, 2024 to December 31st, 2024.  

Awardees will be expected to work closely with an in-country mentor that they identify and a program-selected long-distance mentor with subject matter expertise to advise implementation of their project. Awardees are responsible for leading progress and proactively steering collaborative efforts on their own projects. 

Applicants are restricted to submitting one LOI. Multiple entries will result in disqualification. 

When to apply?  

LOIs are due by 11:59 pm Atlanta/EST on Friday, August 11th, 2023. All individuals interested in submitting a project proposal for funding under this small grants program must first submit an LOI. View full instructions. 

Who can apply? 

  • Current FETP residents/trainees (Advanced tier only) who do not have another TEPHINET small grant in progress. 
  • Recent Advanced graduates within 2 years of their graduation date can apply with the written support of their FETP program director. 
  • The applicant (i.e. FETP resident/trainee/graduate) must be the Principal Investigator (PI). 
  • The applicants are required to identify an in-country mentor who should have subject matter expertise in their project area at their ministry of health (MOH), APDC site, National Public Health Institute (NPHI), academic institution, or public-private partnership for the duration of the grant funded project. Important: In-country mentors are expected to demonstrate time commitment in the form of monthly meetings attendance, input and review of Awardee reports during the project’s cycle. Applicants should bear this in mind as they select their in-country mentor. Applicants that do not identify an in-country mentor will not be considered. 
  • The applicants are required to identify which institution and/or laboratory they will collaboratively conduct their proposed project with, and ensure that their host country MOH is amenable to their participation in this program. It is encouraged that an APDC member institution be engaged. See below for a list of APDC sites in or near your country/region. For more information or assistance with initiating collaboration with an APDC site, contact the Small Grants Program at sgp@tephinet.org.  
    • USA – Rush University, UCSF, Stanford University, SUNY-Buffalo 
    • Haiti – Quisqueya University 
    • Jamaica – University of the West Indies (UWI) 
    • Colombia – OneHealth/Universidad Nacional Colombia 
    • Peru – Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) 
    • Brazil – University of São Paulo (USP)                   
    • Senegal – IRESSEF 
    • Sierra Leone – OneHealth/University of Sierra Leone 
    • Cameroon – University of Yaoundé I 
    • Uganda – Uganda Viral Research Institute (UVRI) 
    • Zimbabwe – University of Zimbabwe 
    • South Africa – Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) 
    • Georgia – National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) 
    • Pakistan – Aga Khan University (AKU) 
    • Egypt – Ain Shams University (ASU) 
    • India – YRG Care 
    • Thailand – Mahidol University 

 

Project Scope and Focus Areas 

The project scope must be non-research or exempt human subjects research as defined by Task Force for Global Health guidance and US Federal Guidelines . The scope must also be feasible to accomplish in a 10- to 11-month period. Awardees and their host institutions must be amenable to a Material Transfer Agreement with Abbott to facilitate biobanking and specimen shipments to Abbott or an APDC partner site, if specimen testing required for the project is not feasible in the Awardee’s host institution.  

A project must focus on one of three tracks: Pathogen discovery and surveillance, Non-communicable diseases, or Neglected tropical diseases and diseases of public health consequence (see below).  Where feasible, collaboration with facilities in neighboring countries may be considered for specimen collection and/or testing.    

Project Tracks 

  1. Pathogen discovery and surveillance: Identification and/or monitoring of genetic diversity and evolution of endemic or emerging pathogens. The following types of projects will be considered: 

    1. Build upon existing and/or setup/establish surveillance systems for emerging and re-emerging pathogens where none exist. 
    2. Design and conduct serosurveys (e.g. cross-sectional or longitudinal) or case studies involving patients with illness of novel or unknown etiology 
    3. Work with clinics, hospitals or laboratories to establish specimen banks with database for specimen and data collection. 
    4. Utilize existing specimen banks from clinics, hospitals or laboratories to plan and coordinate selection of appropriate samples, assays and/or shipment of specimens to Abbott/APDC sites. 
    5. Other studies/projects may be considered. 
       
  2. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs): Identification and/or monitoring of NCDs with established infectious risk factors and infectious diseases with long-term non-communicable sequelae. The following NCDs will be considered: 
    1. Liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other chronic liver diseases associated with viral hepatitis including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or hepatitis D virus (HDV), or other infectious etiologies. 
    2. Epidemiology and burden of Long-COVID syndrome in LMICs. 
    3. Epidemiology of cervical cancer and human papilloma virus (HPV). 
    4. Other cancer areas not listed above. Before submitting an LOI, applicants can contact TEPHINET Small Grants Program at sgp@tephinet.org to verify if their cancer topic area will be considered. 
    5. Other diseases and syndromes associated with infectious diseases including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV, EBV, CMV, H. pylori, and others. 
    6. Autoimmune diseases 
       
  3. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and priority public health infectious diseases. The following types of projects will be considered: 
    1. Submissions addressing Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and Hantavirus are encouraged. 
    2. Build upon existing and/or setup/establish surveillance systems for emerging and re-emerging pathogens where none exist. 
    3. Design and conduct serosurveys (e.g. cross-sectional or longitudinal) or case studies involving patients with illness of novel or unknown etiology 
    4. Work with clinics, hospitals or laboratories to establish specimen banks with database for specimen and data collection. 
    5. Utilize existing specimen banks from clinics, hospitals or laboratories to plan and coordinate selection of appropriate samples, assays and/or shipment of specimens to Abbott/APDC sites. 
    6. Other NTD projects may be considered. 

 

Ethics Considerations 

The Task Force for Global Health is devoted to upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of our work, and we firmly believe that the welfare, rights, and dignity of all individuals involved in our programs, research or otherwise, should be safeguarded. As such, we are committed to (1) following national and international best practices in the conduct of research and other programs, (2) complying with all relevant laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to the protection of participants, and (3) remaining current with evolving ethical considerations.   

This work cannot be done without strong partnership and ethical engagement between the Task Force for Global Health and our partners. We emphasize the importance of sincerity and transparency among all involved partners and encourage open and honest communication, allowing for the exchange of ideas, questions, and ethical deliberation. We will collaborate in good faith, with a proactive exchange of information and insights, to ensure that ethical principles are upheld throughout the duration of our projects and throughout our engagement with all partners. 

Guidance that may inform projects

Please review the following resources for more information about the APDC: 

​​​Supporting Activities 

This small grants program may also include the following activities to further complement the training experience and foster sustainable impact of the APDC FETP Fellowship: 

  • Scientific writing resources on developing and structuring field epidemiology investigations and relevant academic articles.  
  • Conference travel to support dissemination of project findings and foster networking, contingent on project progress and/or funding availability.