Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for Collaborative Hubs for International Research in Mental Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (U19)

Notice Number: NOT-MH-10-020

Key Dates
Release Date:  June 18, 2010

Issued by
National Institute of Mental Health, (http://www.nimh.nih.gov)

Purpose

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health, intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Request for Applications (RFA) that solicits applications to establish regional hubs to increase the evidence base for mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).  Each hub is to conduct research and provide capacity-building opportunities in the region.  As a group, the funded hubs will constitute a collaborative network of hubs for mental health research in LMICs with capabilities for answering, within and across regions, research questions that will improve mental health outcomes for men, women, and children.

This Notice is being provided to encourage investigators with global mental health research expertise to consider applying for this new RFA and allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.

The RFA, which will use the NIH Research Program Cooperative Agreement (U19), is expected to be published in the Summer of 2010 with an expected receipt date in October 2010.  Details of the planned FOA are provided below. 

Research Initiative Details

This program will support regional hubs in low- and middle-income countries, which will conduct innovative public health-relevant mental health research, build research infrastructure, and develop research capacity.  A region may be defined as (1) the countries bordering or in close proximity to the country where Hub research activities will be based; or (2) selected countries in the same geographic region of the hub.  Research activities must be conducted in one of the following geographic regions:

  • East Asia and the Pacific;
  • Europe and Central Asia;
  • Latin America and the Caribbean;
  • Middle East and North Africa;
  • South Asia;
  • Sub-Saharan Africa.

  The work supported under this funding opportunity is expected to:

  • Develop and strengthen regional collaborations, including partnerships among governmental and non governmental organizations, research institutions, and mental health service user advocacy groups;
  • Facilitate the conduct of high quality, state-of-the-art translational, clinical, mental health services and/or policy research, taking advantage of health system and sociocultural diversity;
  • Support research capacity building; and
  • Educate local communities on research processes and study outcomes.

This U19 RFA will provide support to develop regional research hubs that conduct research on mental health needs of local communities and governments and provide research capacity-building for countries in the region.  Each awardee will have partners consisting of:

  • One or more research institutions, defined as:
    • For-profit or non-profit organization
    • Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories
    • Units of State and local governments
    • Eligible agencies of the Federal government
    • Domestic or foreign institutions/organizations
    • Faith-based or Community-based Organizations.
  • One or more non-governmental organizations that provide access to service provider and service user viewpoints;
  • One or more representatives of a Government agency with a health-related function (e.g., Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, or Ministry of Social Welfare).  The representative(s) must have a policy-making, evaluation, or research role within the agency.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

Inquiries

Interested parties may contact:

Pamela Y. Collins, MD, MPH
Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8125, MSC 9659
Bethesda, MD 20892-9689
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 443-2847
FAX:  (301) 443-8552
Email:  pamela.collins@nih.gov

LeShawndra N. Price, Ph.D.
Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
Bethesda, MD 20892-9659
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 443-2847
FAX: (301) 443-8552
Email: lprice@mail.nih.gov

Jude Awuba, MPH, CHES
Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
Bethesda, MD 20892-9659
Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 443-9650
FAX: (301) 443-8552
Email: jude.awuba@nih.gov