More about the WHO Patient Safety Research Small Grants
The aim of this WHO Patient Safety initiative is to stimulate research on patient safety priorities worldwide, by providing seed funding for small research projects. In addition, it is envisaged that the initiative will contribute to building local research capacity and will help raise awareness about patient safety.
Objectives of the initiative
- To increase research on patient safety by providing seed funding for 20–30 small research projects per year
- To contribute to building local capacity for research on patient safety by providing grants to research institutions and research teams in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, especially for projects in which young researchers and those in early or mid career are the lead investigators
- To promote the culture of patient safety by improving dissemination of research findings to the global community
Between US$10 000 - 25 000 will be available per grant
The amount is flexible, but the grant must be appropriately justified. The grant may be renewable if the first project is completed satisfactorily and funding is available.
Eligibility
- Grants are intended for well-designed, well-defined research projects, which can be completed within 12–18 months.
- Research in all methodological and clinical disciplines that address patient safety is encouraged.
- The proposed studies may be conducted in any health-care setting, including hospitals, primary care, ambulatory care, community care and home care. Research to be conducted in developing countries, and countries with economies in transition is particularly encouraged.
- Researchers at all stages of their careers are eligible to apply, although submissions from junior or mid-career researchers or those aged 45 or younger are especially welcomed.
- Principal investigators must be affiliated with a recognized institution located in the country in which the project will be conducted.
- Collaboration, both between institutions and between countries, is encouraged.
- Multi-disciplinary research teams with an appropriate mix of expertise, including clinicians, practitioners or policy-makers, are strongly encouraged
Research priorities
The programme focuses on applied research. Applications that attempt to identify local solutions, or evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of existing solutions are especially welcomed. The current call for proposals will focus on the topics listed below, although studies on other topics among the global research priorities may be considered:
- Counterfeit and substandard drugs.
- Maternal and newborn care.
- Safe injection practices.
- Improving competencies, training and skills.
- Communication and coordination across care pathways.
- Latent organizational failures.
Assessment & selection
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, following peer review by a panel of external experts. Selection criteria will include:
- Relevance, significance and originality of the research question(s).
- Scientific merit, i.e. adequacy of the study design, appropriateness of the method and the measurements to be made and validity of the instruments to be used for data collection.
- Adequacy of management of the project team and the project plan.
- Adequacy of the budget and value for money.
The assessment will consist of three steps:
- Screening by the Screening Panel to ensure eligibility, accuracy and completeness of applications
- Peer-review by members of the review panel using pre-determined criteria
- Ethical clearance by WHO Ethics Review Committee