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Felicia Ray Owens at the Center of It All.

Overview

The SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center (STAC), Bhaktapur, Nepal has issued a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Small Research Grants 2025.

The SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center (STAC) is committed to accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, with a vision of making the SAARC region free of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to support National TB and HIV/AIDS Control Programs through evidence-based policy guidance, coordination, and technical support.

Small Research Grants 2025

STAC invites interested research institutions to submit brief Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for research proposals related to tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Grants will be awarded for projects focused on Screening and Diagnosis, Prevention Strategies, Social and Structural Determinants, Case Finding and Access to Treatment, Program Evaluation and Policy Gaps, Special Populations and Emerging Issues, Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on relevant to TB and HIV programs.

Each grant will be approximately US$10,000, funded by the SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center, Nepal. Final award amounts may be less than, but will not exceed, US$10,000 This announcement does not guarantee funding for any EOI or proposal submitted.

The implementation period for all projects under this EOI is a maximum of four months, to be initiated and completed between September 1st and November 30th, 2025. Each applicant may submit up to two EOIs for projects related to tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, accompanied by a letter of support or forwarding from the National Tuberculosis and/or HIV/AIDS Control Program of their respective country.

Eligibility

• Research institutions, including public research institutions, government organizations, universities, and national TB and HIV programs from SAARC member states with relevant field experience are eligible to apply.
• Applicants or research organizations should identify an in-country subject matter expert preferably from the National TB or HIV/AIDS program who will serve as the direct supervisor for the project throughout the grant period.

Areas of focus (Themes) for the proposed projects

1. Screening and Diagnosis
Improving early and accurate diagnosis of TB, including latent TB and drug-resistant TB.
Integration of HIV testing in TB diagnosis, especially for high-risk and key populations.

2. Prevention Strategies
TB prevention among People Living with HIV (PLHIV): Focus on reducing incidence and transmission, including use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and preventive therapy.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in healthcare and community settings.

3. Social and Structural Determinants
Impact of gender, socioeconomic status, and migration on TB and HIV/AIDS vulnerability and outcomes.

• Mapping of vulnerability in urban slums and among marginalized populations.
• Stigma, discrimination, and other social barriers affecting access to diagnosis and treatment.

4. Case Finding and Access to Treatment
Strategies to improve case finding and reduce barriers to diagnosis and treatment for both TB and HIV/AIDS.

• Adherence to treatment and patient support systems, particularly among vulnerable and high-risk groups.

5. Program Evaluation and Policy Gaps

• Eanvaluation of public health programs: Advocacy, community engagement, and effectiveness of interventions.
• Identification d analysis of policy gaps in TB and HIV/AIDS programs, including service delivery and continuum of care.
• Operational research to optimize program implementation and integration of services

6. Special Populations and Emerging Issues

• PWID (People Who Inject Drugs): Gaps in the continuum of care for those living with HIV, and TB.
• Children, adolescents, and other vulnerable groups: Unique challenges in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

7. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Assessing the public health impact of the pandemic on TB and HIV/AIDS detection, treatment, and outcomes.

Checklist for Submitting Expression of Interest (EOI)

• Cover letter with addressed the Director, SAARC TB and HIV center
• Complete project proposal, including names of principal and co-investigators with their affiliations, contact email addresses, and signatures; a concept note with budget breakdown and projected timeline
• CV of the principal investigator(s)
• Organizational profile (if applying from an institution other than the National TB or HIV/AIDS Programme)
• Support letter from the relevant National Programs (TB or HIV/AIDS)
• Contact details of the focal person identified for the proposed study

Interested eligible research organizations through National TB and HIV/AIDS Control Programs from SAARC member states are requested to submit the EOI, along with all supporting documents, to research@saarctb.org (with a copy to director@saarctb.org) by 10th August, 2025.

Please click to download the file : EOI Documents

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center

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