Global Innovation Challenge Funding

Eligible project scopes are exploratory, novel studies that break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications globally. This award supports high risk, high reward, and high visibility studies that may lead to a breakthrough in a particular global area, or result in novel techniques, agents, devices, methodologies, models or applications that will impact global biomedical, behavioral or clinical research. Projects should be distinct from those supported through traditional R21 or R01 mechanisms.

All applicants must have an active appointment at Northwestern University (tenure track, non-tenure track, or adjunct) and must be a member of the Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health.

Early and mid-career faculty will be prioritized. Multi-Principal Investigators (MPI) are encouraged, and at least one Multi-Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator must be located at an affiliated institution outside of the United States. Projects are required to demonstrate significant collaboration with its non-US partner(s).

Applicants may request a project period of up to two years.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The expected number of awards will depend on available funds; it is expected that approximately 1-3 applications will be funded annually.

All eligible applications will be peer-reviewed and will be asked to make a short presentation for judges. Notification of a decision will be sent within 45 days of submission. Review criteria will include needs assessment, impact for Northwestern global health community, sustainability, and applicant qualification.

To complete this application, you will need to be prepared to upload the following materials:

1. Research Strategy (may not exceed 6 pages)

• Aims

• Background/significance

• Innovation

• Approach

• Timeline and anticipated challenges

• Track record of collaboration with partner institution

2. Budget

Budget may include the following direct expense categories: salary, fringe benefits, medical & lab supplies, equipment, travel, meeting expenses, IRB expenses, patient incentives, laboratory services, books, conference fees, publication expenses. Unallowable expenses include computers and F&A to Northwestern.

3. Budget Justification

4. IRB Determination

If the study involves human subjects research, include IRB determination.

5. Letter of Support

It is required that an institutional letter of support come from the PI/MPI's academic supervisor (division chief, department chair, institute director, dean, etc.)

For any education related projects, a letter of support should be included from the Center for Global Health Education leadership. Please email your request to Sara Caudillo (sara.caudillo@northwestern.edu) 1-month prior to application deadline.

6. Biosketch or Curriculum Vitae

A NIH-formatted biosketch or curriculum vitae must be provided for all investigators.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

If you would like to discuss your project idea prior to submission, please reach out to Kate Klein, kate.klein@northwestern.edu or Robert Murphy, r-murphy@northwestern.edu.