TOPIC: Infectious Diseases and Immunology (including Antimicrobial Resistance) 

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) invites interested Filipino researchers to submit proposals under the 13th Joint Call for Proposals of the e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) in the fields of health research.

The aim of the e-ASIA JRP 13th Call in the field of Health Research is to invite applications that will address health and medical issues in East Asia and neighboring regions and contribute to enhancing regional research capacity through multilateral collaboration. The topics identified for the e-ASIA JRP 13th Health Research Call pose a considerable health threat to East Asian countries and are more broadly considered global health issues. 

The focus of this joint call, within the “Health Research” program of the e-ASIA JRP, is on Infectious Diseases and Immunology (including Antimicrobial Resistance).

This Health Research Call aims to identify biomedical and public health research opportunities, facilitate research collaborations, encourage sharing of knowledge, expertise and resources, and expand the global base of knowledge to respond to infectious disease priorities and challenges in the region.

Possible research topics in infectious diseases and immunology include the following, but are not limited to: 

• Intersections between chronic and infectious disease, including co- and multi-morbidities

• • common risk factors that aggravate the condition (e.g. tobacco, obesity)
  • immune response, inflammation, metabolism, and microbiome

• Novel vaccine immunogens for combating emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
• Utilization of microfluidics for discovery of antibody-based therapeutics against antimicrobial resistance 
• Pandemic preparedness and response (e.g., surveillance, interventions, public awareness and prevention, vaccine development, climate change)
• Multi-OMICS approach towards discovery and innovation – Host immune responses to infectious diseases
• Novel antibody therapeutics and vaccine immunogens for combatting antimicrobial-resistant pathogens
• Effective public health infection control and prevention methods 

DOST- PCHRD, as one of the Member Organizations, will select two (2) research proposals under this Call for local funding. 

Review procedures for approval of research grants will be based on a multi-level review process:

1. In-house screening and evaluation in terms of alignment to the research priorities, duplication, and completeness of requirements. 
2. Technical review and scoring by external consultants (Technical Panel) based on the following criteria: 

a. Relevance & Sensitivity

• • • Alignment to national S&T priorities, strategic relevance to national development and sensitivity to Philippine political context, culture, tradition and gender and development.

b. Technical/Scientific Merit

• • • Sound scientific basis to generate new knowledge or apply existing knowledge in an innovative manner. 

c. Financial Feasibility 

• • • Financial viability of the undertaking with proponent’s and institutional capacity to manage R&D funds vis-à-vis the proposed work plan and budget 

d. Proponent’s / Institutional Capacity 

• • • Good track record or CV with proven competence to implement and complete the R&D program / project within the approved duration and budget. 

e. Program Contribution 

• • • How much will the proposal contribute to the overall achievement of the program and what are its  other potential socio-economic, environmental, and health impacts? 

3. Final approval by the PCHRD Governing Council or the PCHRD Executive Director depending on the recommended total budgetary requirement of the proposal. 

Who may apply for the grant?

Filipinos with at least a Master’s Degree in a relevant field, have proven research competence / track record, and employed in universities/colleges, research agencies/institutes, hospitals, and other health related agencies are eligible to apply for the research grant. 

How to apply:

Interested researchers shall ensure to be part of the research consortium before submitting their local proposal to the DOST – PCHRD. The consortium shall be led by a lead Principal Investigator (PI) that will be responsible running and managing the project and will be the one to submit the main proposal to the e-ASIA JRP Secretariat (Please refer to the main e-ASIA Main Call at https://www.the-easia.org/jrp/)

A project consortium must be consisted of at least three eligible research teams from at least three different participating countries listed below: 

1. Australia: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
2. Indonesia: National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
3. Japan: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
4. Lao PDR: Ministry of Health (MOH)
5. Philippines: Department of Science and Technology (DOST- PCHRD)
6. Singapore: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
7. USA: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD)

The interested researchers shall submit their application using the DOST Proposal format through the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS) (http://dpmis.dost.gov.ph/). 

When submitting your application, please follow these steps: 

1. Register and create an account in the DOST DPMIS website
2. If you already have an account, simply login to your DPMIS account.
3. Select Type of Proposal: 13th e-Asia Joint Research Program (the e-Asia JRP) for Health Research.
4. Select Classification: New Proposal

Documents Required: 

Your application shall include the following documents:

1. DOST Proposal Form
2. Supplemental Files such as:
   • Informed Consent Form, if applicable
   • Case Report Form, if applicable
   • Endorsement letter of the Agency Head
   • Curriculum Vitae of Proponent(s)
   • Duties and Responsibilities of each Project Personnel
   • Letter of request addressed to:

The Executive Director
Philippine Council for Health Research and Development
Department of Science and Technology
Saliksik Building, DOST Science Complex, Gen. Santos Avenue
Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila

DOST-PCHRD will also require the proponent to submit the following documents before the start of project implementation: 

• Biosafety Clearance, if applicable
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Clearance, if applicable 
• Bureau of Animal Industry Clearance, if applicable
• Ethics Clearance (for studies involving human subjects)

Deadline for online submission will be on or before 5:00 PM of 04 April 2024 (Philippine Standard Time) through the DOST DPMIS website. Submission via emails and hardcopies will not be accepted.

IV. Funding Support Available

DOST-PCHRD will allocate up to 87,000 USD (PhP 5,000,000) for each research project for a duration of 36 months or (3) three years. DOST Grants in Aid guidelines shall be applied.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For Philippine Council for Health Research and Development: 

Mr. Vincent John H. Tumlos

Office of the Executive Director

Email: vhtumlos@pchrd.dost.gov.ph 

Mr. Paul Ernest N. De Leon

Research and Development Management Division 

pndeleon@pchrd.dost.gov.ph 

For e-ASIA Joint Research Program: 

Yukio Kemmochi, PhD (Mr.) 

e-ASIA JRP Secretariat 

E-mail: easia_secretariat@jst.go.jp

For further information on the complete package of the Call and the application procedures of the 13th Joint Call of the e-ASIA JRP, you may visit the e-ASIA website: https://www.the-easia.org/jrp/ .