COVID-19 Community of Practice
NIA: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Aging-Relevant Behavioral and Social Research on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
NIA is issuing this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) to highlight the continuing need for behavioral, psychological, social, and economic research on SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a need for ongoing research on the longer-term effects of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of those infected, those caring for the sick, and many others whose lives were disrupted by the pandemic and its associated mitigation and prevention strategies.
Beyond effects on individuals, this pandemic has brought about unprecedented social and economic disruption that is expected to have long-term and profound effects on the health of the population. These effects will likely be particularly acute for
NIH-designated health disparity populations, and other COVID-19 vulnerable groups including older adults, who have experienced higher rates of COVID-19 infection, who in some cases rely on the efforts of paid and unpaid care partners, and who may have additional barriers to accessing the medical system itself. Further, middle-aged and older frontline healthcare and essential workers and their families face unique risks of exposure to both infection and other health-related outcomes by virtue of their employment.
Award Size: varies with proposal
Deadline: see website
NIH: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): NIDCR Support for Research on the Physiological Involvement of Oral Cavity in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is issuing this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) to encourage research studies focused on the physiological involvement of oral cavity and oral manifestations related to SARS-CoV-2 and/or Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The oral/nasal route serves as the SARS-CoV-2 point of entry into the host thus playing a pivotal role in viral spread and COVID-19 onset and progression. As such, limiting viral infectivity, replication, shedding, and load at the point of entry is crucial to containing COVID-19 progression, as well as transmission to others. This NOSI will support studies focused on the role of oral/nasal cavity and oral manifestations related to SARS-CoV-2 and/or COVID-19 within the NIDCR mission. The areas of interest include:
- Investigation of the biological underpinnings of SARS-CoV-2 infection, transmission, and progression in the oral cavity;
- Investigation of the physiological mechanisms of oral manifestations of COVID-19;
- Establishment of predictive value and prognostic potential of oral manifestations of the severity of COVID-19 and post-acute sequalae of COVID-19.
- Definition of the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and oral/nasal microbiota and potential therapeutic roles of pre/probiotics and other exogenous modulators of these viral-bacterial interactions; and
- Development of tools and technologies to facilitate studies in the focus areas of this initiative, including animal models, ex vivo models
Award Size: varies with proposal
Deadline: June 5, 2021
Food & Agriculture
USAID: Innovation Lab for Food Systems for Nutrition
The Food System Innovation Lab will design, lead and implement a program of nutrition-sensitive food system research and capacity building aimed at addressing the opportunities and challenges, and will additionally serve as a resource to the Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (RFS), missions and their partners confronting on the role of food systems in inclusive economic growth, nutrition, food safety, and a nutrition-sensitive approaches, gender-sensitive and youth inclusive development, and resilience.
The Food System for Nutrition Innovation Lab is broadly expected to help implement and communicate impact pathways from nutrition sensitive food systems research to development outcomes through partnerships with USAID mission-supported value chain programs, national partners, private companies and associations, community-based organizations and other donors and their programs.
The Innovation Lab will deliver on this vision by a) strengthening the capacities of select country and regional research institutions to undertake research that is relevant and sound, to communicate findings in ways that are more likely to influence government partners, policy makers, and practitioners, while b) implementing an integrated country, regional and global research agenda.
Award Size: $25M
Deadline: March 8, 2021
Environment, Energy & Water
USAID: Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Activity
The purpose of the Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) activity is to expand the planting of trees outside of forests in India for enhanced provision of ecosystem services, especially carbon sequestration, and increased inclusive economic opportunities. Through the TOFI activity, USAID/India will support the Government of India (GoI) and other stakeholders to increase the uptake of trees outside of forests in India by: strengthening an enabling environment that promotes and incentivizes planting of trees; increasing economic opportunities from trees outside of forests; and improving access to information to help scale TOF in the country.
In India’s context, Trees Outside Forests (TOFs) refers to all trees growing outside the government’s Recorded Forest Area (RFA). It includes trees growing on private land and farms; in urban areas; along linear infrastructure such as roads, railway lines, canals; plantations in and around industrial areas; shelterbelts; and in land belonging to government and other institutions; etc. TOFs on farms and other private lands provide income and sustenance for farmers from timber, fuelwood, fruits and other products.
These TOFs play a critical role in the economy of many developing countries, including India. Additionally, TOFs are important in promoting cultural, social, and ecological functions that are important to human livelihoods2. TOFs also sequester carbon, stabilize soil, filter water and air, regulate water flow, and perform other ecosystem services. When planted along roads and canals, in institutional areas or within urban landscapes, TOFs provide shade to cool microclimates, absorb some air pollutants, beautify green spaces, provide nesting and habitat for birds and other small animals, help to regulate storm-water, and contribute to human well-being.
Award Size: $4.5M up to $9M
Deadline: March 2, 2021
Education & Engagement
DoS: U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Advancing Female and Youth Entrepreneurship
Facing both a shrinking population and an aging society, Japan’s decreased labor force capacity poses major challenges to its sustained economic growth. This places even more pressure on maximizing the capacity and efficacy of the existing workforce, as well as incorporating traditionally marginalized economic groups like women. Entrepreneurs, especially young entrepreneurs, also present an opportunity for Japanese economic growth. With Japan as a key security and economic partner, the U.S. is committed to promoting entrepreneurship, as a means to stimulate local economic growth, create better quality jobs, open new markets, and increase global economic security and prosperity.
The Embassy welcomes proposals that address these issues and is particularly interested in supporting the following priority areas: programs that build the capacity and leadership skills of female and young entrepreneurs through mentoring, strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and deepen bilateral entrepreneurial ties and investment. All proposals must include an American element or connection with an American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Award Size: $5,000 up to $70,000
Deadline: March 31, 2021
Other Opportunities
DoS: DRL Supporting Independent Media in Moldova (Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor)
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support and strengthen independent media outlets in Moldova. Independent outlets are an important component of Moldova's media environment as they can provide objective coverage of regionally-focused issues that are important and relevant to local citizens. DRL's goal is to strengthen regional independent media in Moldova (outside Chisinau) by helping newsrooms improve their financial sustainability and expand the reach of fact-based, locally relevant, and engaging content. Expected outcomes should result in expanded audience and improved audience engagement across a multitude of platforms, increased revenues leading to sustainability in the longer tem, and strengthened reporting and management capacity within the participating outlets.
Proposed activities could include, but are not limited to, intensive onsite and online editorial leadership training as well as enhancing local independent media outlets' ability to produce original, high-quality, professional, objective, and attractive content. To increase financial sustainability, activities could focus on media outlets bolstering their ability to engage in market analysis, show verifiable viewership numbers, counter the existing advertising duopoly in Moldova, and use relevant analytics to develop new business models and widen their audience. Competitive proposals should include the geographic areas to be covered along with the justification, as well as a clear plan on what languages content would be produced in accordance with Moldova's laws dictating Romanian and Russian content sharing time.
Award Size: Up to $1M
Deadline: April 5, 2021
DoS: U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program
The Public Affairs Section invites proposals for programs that further U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy interests in Panama in one of the four categories below. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
The U.S. Embassy seeks to expand the reach of economic opportunity to all levels of society and areas of Panama. As people struggle to adapt to and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses in particular must also acquire new skills and resources. Support for entrepreneurship improves not only the lives of individuals and communities but also prospects for greater integration of economic activities between the U.S. and Panama. The U.S. Embassy will give particular consideration to projects addressing social entrepreneurship, in which the focus of work serves the public interest and the local community. Activities in this category may include entrepreneur-focused training, workshops, or presentations; the development of tools, material, or resources for public benefit; or the establishment of networks or consortia to promote beneficial policies or collaboration with U.S.-based partners.
The U.S. Embassy seeks to support Panama’s expansion of mechanisms for promoting transparent and independent institutions, while addressing official corruption and responding responsibly in identified cases of concern. Projects in this area may focus on:
- Freedom of the press
- Civil society support
- Countering disinformation
- Cybersecurity
Award Size: $1,000 up to $50,000
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Scholarships & Fellowships
Foreign Policy Interrupted Bard Fellowship
The FPI-Bard Fellowship is for mid-career women in foreign policy who are eager to share their expertise and engage in policy discussions. In particular, we’re looking for experts eager to publish an op-ed. Open if you work at a university, a think tank, in government, in the private sector, at an NGO, or at a multilateral organization. This is a program for experts, who work on foreign policy, international relations, and national security issues. It is not a journalism fellowship. The fellowship is a six-week online workshop that covers such topics as op-ed writing, media training, editorial story pitching, and public speaking. It is intended for women over 30 in the middle of their careers in international relations, finance and investing, technology, foreign policy, or national security.
Award Size: Varies
Deadline: March 1, 2021
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
The Helen Hay Whitney Foundation supports early postdoctoral research training in all basic biomedical sciences. To attain its ultimate goal of increasing the number of imaginative, well-trained and dedicated medical scientists, the Foundation grants financial support of sufficient duration to help further the careers of young people engaged in biological or medical research.
Candidates who hold, or are in the final stages of obtaining a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and are seeking beginning postdoctoral training in basic biomedical research are eligible to apply for a fellowship. The Foundation accepts applications from candidates who have no more than one year of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the deadline for submitting the application (June 15, 2021), and who have received a PhD (or D.Phil. or equivalent) degree no more than two years before the deadline, or an M.D. degree no more than three years before the deadline.
Award Size: Up to $60,000 per year, $171,000 total
Deadline: June 15, 2021
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