The Fogarty International Center (FIC), in partnership with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), both part of the National Institutes of Health, announced a new funding initiative, "Framework Programs in Global Health," to support promising approaches in global health research and training at universities in the U.S. and in low- and middle-income nations.

Specifically, the Framework programs will provide administrative support to link multiple schools on one or more university campuses to advance global health research and training. "As we look at global health challenges, including AIDS, poor health and disease from environmental contamination, and the growing burden of obesity and mental illness, among others, we understand that new and expanded strategies are needed in addressing these problems," said Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, Acting Director of the Fogarty International Center. "This new program will allow our traditional partners, the schools of public health and medicine, to forge new ties with schools of business, engineering, law, communications, and others, all of which have much to offer as we tackle global health challenges", she added.

A second goal was explained by Dr. Flora Katz, the Framework Program Director. "We expect that this program will also energize the next generation of global health scientists. As we look at pipeline issues worldwide, we recognize the need to prepare now to ensure that our workforce is in place to address future challenges." The Framework programs will also support global health curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Other activities that could be supported included leadership and grants management training, opportunities for students to gain research experience with the diversity of groups involved in global health, and opportunities to explore community involvement in research programs, among others.

Applicant institutions may be from the United States and/or from eligible low- and middle-income countries. Multiple institutions may work together to submit a single application. The deadline for Application Receipt is April 18, 2005. FIC plans to commit about $1 million dollars to fund up to 10 new awards in the first year of the initiative. More information is available at this website: http://www.fic.nih.gov/programs/framework.html.

The Fogarty International Center, the international component of the NIH, addresses global health challenges through innovative and collaborative research and training programs and supports and advances the NIH mission through international partnerships. NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.