Due Date  : 5 July 2021
Max Funding : USD50,000 / group
Duration : 24 months
Website Link : https://twas.org/opportunity/isdb-twas-joint-research-technology-transfer-grant-2021-quick-response-research-covid-19

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and TWAS have partnered to promote and support quick-response research on key challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the possible consequences. The IsDB-TWAS Joint Research & Technology Transfer Grant programme is fully funded by the IsDB and established to develop collaboration between researchers of IsDB member countries. Under this programme, qualified researchers from 57 IsDB countries* are invited to form a joint research collaboration consisting of two groups from different countries working on areas related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Areas
• Examples of specific themes include, but are not limited to:
• Epidemiology of COVID-19
• Dealing with consequences of COVID-19
• Regional studies of COVID-19 infection
• Identification of possible sources of viruses: prevention of new zoonotic diseases
• HIV, SARS, MERS, COVID-19: lessons to learn on infections arising through species jump
• Evolution of viral disease: from animal to human and mutations of human strains
• Developing an emergency R&D response to any emerging infectious disease
• Discovery and development of diagnostics and therapeutics in viral outbreaks
• Dealing with viral infections: real-time data collection of the spread and preparation for future outbreaks
• Remote diagnosis and treatment

Eligibility Criteria
• Each Principle Investigator (PI) must be a national of an IsDB member country and hold a PhD with good research experience and lead each research group. (Note: The PI will be responsible for the coordination of the research, submission of requested documentation and reporting of the expenses. All TWAS correspondence will be with each PI).
• One PI MUST be from an IsDB Least Developed Member Country and the other from any of the eligible IsDB member countries.
• Each member of the group should operate in a university or research institution in one of the IsDB member countries and should be represented in the proposal by a PI. No age limit is applied to the applicant.
• Applications from women scientists are especially encouraged.
• Individual young scientists or leaders of research units currently holding a TWAS Research Grant in the Basic Sciences are not eligible.