Young Researcher Grants (2004-2009) - Global
The Alliance HPSR launched the Young Researcher Grants Programme (YRG) in early 2004. The overall purpose of the programme was to pilot a strategy to develop capacity for the generation, dissemination and use of knowledge among researchers, policy-makers and other stakeholders. Its particular aim was to encourage the attainment of a critical mass of researchers in the field of health policy and systems research (HPSR), with the institutionalization of HPSR in teaching curricular seen as the best option for reaching that critical mass.
The specific objectives of the YRG Programme were:
To achieve these objectives, it became necessary to strengthen HPSR capacity within institutions. This involved a combination of the following actions:
(a) to strengthen the capacity of teaching programs to address HPSR in low- and middle-income countries;
(b) to increase the interest of students in research into health policy and systems and supporting dissertations in this area, and (c) to promote the policy relevance of postgraduate HPSR teaching and dissertations.
- increasing the quality of postgraduate teaching and learning in HPSR, particularly in syllabus development, protocol writing, research methods, data processing, writing-up and project supervision;
- supporting dissertations, including field work, data processing, writing-up and project supervision;
- improving the links between HPSR teaching and policy and system development through workshops and dissemination.
Along with the YRG Programme itself, three workshops were organized (Mumbai, India September 2005; Cape Town, South Africa February 2008; Manila, Philippines January 2009). The purpose of the workshops was to increase capacity building for young researchers in HPSR, learning, teaching (students) and dissertation supervision (teachers), as well as HPSR dissemination. Another important point was to promote the sustainability of HPSR programmes.
The following link provides direct access to a summary of the grants and a list of the institutions.