This new fellowship programme will maximize the value of the clinical research skills obtained through the placement at Training Partner Organizations (TPO)
by focusing on research leadership, with fellows using their clinical research skills, in conjunction with competencies and capabilities to effectively communicate with, and support, members of a multidisciplinary team.
TDR Clinical Research Leadership fellowship programme
Summary
TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps facilitate, support and influence efforts to combat diseases of poverty. It is co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2023, TDR will launch the Clinical Research Leadership (CRL) fellowship programme which is based on four pillars:
- Pillar 1: Improved clinical research skills obtained through flexible placement of fellows at Training Partner Organizations (TPOs).
- Pillar 2: Strong clinical research leadership skills acquired through customized learning, coaching and leadership experience at the home institution, geared to each fellow’s needs and interests.
- Pillar 3: Enhanced gender equity promoted through active measures to ensure fair participation of women and men and people who do not fit into these binary gender identities.
- Pillar 4: Strengthened institutional capacity by maximizing the fellow’s contribution on re-entry.
This new fellowship programme will maximize the value of the clinical research skills obtained through the placement at a TPO by focusing on research leadership, with fellows using their clinical research skills, in conjunction with competencies and capabilities to effectively communicate with, and support, members of a multidisciplinary team. Several actions identified through the contest challenge and focus group discussions with previous fellows will be put in place to enhance gender equity, by increasing the participation of women. An institutional development plan will enable the fellows to maximize their contribution to strengthening their institution on re-entry, as well as developing and managing a research team to undertake a research study.
We invite applicants interested in a CRL fellowship programme to carefully read the eligibility criteria for TDR’s Call for Applications.
TDR will fund fellows employed by academic and research institutions in any low- and middle-income country across the globe (not limited to those in sub-Saharan Africa) to be placed in pharmaceutical companies, product development partnerships (PDPs) and academic affiliated research organizations, in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Latin America, to train and develop new research skills on infectious diseases.
Successful applicants are placed for 12 months in TPOs and then receive a reintegration plan for 12 months at their home institutions.
Application procedure
The application should be sent in electronic format (Word or PDF only) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (no application form is required). Reference letters must be attached electronically. The following information should be provided:
- Full name, with the family name(s) underlined.
- Date of birth, gender and nationality (copy of information page of passport or other identification document may be requested later).
- Name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the institution where the applicant is employed. All applicants must have permanent employment.
- Telephone number and e-mail address for personal contact and possible interview (if not the same as institutional telephone number in #3 above).
- Educational qualifications, including place of study and graduation date (transcripts and copies of qualifications are not required but may be requested later).
- A description of each of the following, each 1-page maximum:
• The applicant’s current post and of the post held immediately before.
• The applicant’s current work/research interests, including disease(s) interest.
• Competencies and skills the applicant would like to acquire during the fellowship.
• How the applicant, if selected, plans to apply the acquired skills and knowledge after returning to home country/institution.
7. An endorsement from the Director of the applicant’s home institution testifying the ability of the applicant to successfully undertake the training proposed and certifying that the applicant, if selected, will be financially supported as a leave of absence. The Director has also to indicate how the proposed training will strengthen the institution’s capability to conduct clinical research upon
the return of the fellow.
8. A list of the applicant’s publications and other abstracts or presentations.
9. A letter of recommendation from two senior scientists/professors that includes their full name, address, telephone number and e-mail address to be scanned and included with the application.
Deadline for submission of proposals
Applications must be received at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 17:00 (CET) on 30 March 2023.
Selection process
The process includes the following steps:
- Applications submitted before the deadline undergo an initial screening by the TDR secretariat, based on the eligibility criteria.
- Eligible applications will be forwarded to participating TPOs.
- TPOs select up to five shortlisted candidates for interview.
- Interviews are held between the home institution, the candidate and the TPO, in the presence of TDR.
- TPOs rank candidates based on the interview.
- The final matching process of candidates and TPOs is conducted by TDR.
- Once the matching process is complete, home institutions, fellows and TPOs are informed of the final match, following which contractual arrangements begin.
For more information about the programme, please visit the >>> TDR Clinical Research Leadership fellowship programme
