Strengthening Infectious-Disease Research Capacity for Public- Health Action in Guatemala and Central America deadline 2009

Deadline summary

The HHS/CDC/COGH is seeking a cooperative agreement with the Center for Health Studies of the Institute for Research of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) to strengthen capacity in Guatemala and Central America to address the following goals:1. To conduct field and laboratory research on important human infectious diseases, with an emphasis on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases as well as other identifiable public health problems. 2. To incorporate the results of research int...

Key dates

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Eligible Applicants 1.A. Eligible Institutions You may submit an application(s) if your organization has any of the following characteristics: Eligibility for this program is limited to the Center for Health Studies of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in Guatemala City. This limited eligibility is based on the key objectives of the programs to develop and implement infectious-disease research projects, and allow the organization to carry out multiple, ongoing, public-health research activities in Guatemala and the Central America region. 1. UVG is currently in its second year of a five-year non-research cooperative agreement, “Implementing Public Health Programs and Strengthening Public- Health Science in Guatemala and the Central American Region.” Some projects in the non-research agreement developed into related research activities. This interim FOA will allow UVG to move all research activities from the non-research to a research agreement, ensure these activities are properly peer-reviewed, and provide an opportunity for future research capacity. The work of this new FOA is an extension of previous HHS/CDC projects in Guatemala, and will use previously generated databases currently under the administration of the UVG that would not be available to other potential applicants. 2. UVG currently has the only biosafety level laboratory (BSL-2) in Guatemala, and is uniquely equipped to provide lab capacity and support to the Ministry of Health in Guatemala and other countries in the region. 3. As part of a non-profit foundation that established the American School in Guatemala, UVG has the legal authority to hire third-country nationals with the technical skills to meet the requirements of the proposed research components through an expedited process, which provides UVG with unique capability to bolster research capacity in Guatemala and the region. 4. UVG has an established history of collaboration with HHS/CDC beginning in 1978 under a tripartite agreement among HHS/CDC, the Guatemalan Ministry of Health and the UVG. In 1999, a revised Memorandum of Understanding expanded research, training and technical assistance in the area of infectious diseases. Through this agreement, UVG has developed into the only public-health partner in Guatemala with the level of infrastructure and expertise necessary for supporting and strengthening the national regional lab capacity. For the above reasons, UVG is uniquely equipped with the resources and infrastructure necessary for the scope of work required, which will eliminate start-up costs, and save significant U.S. taxpayer dollars.