LAUNCHing Leaders for Future U.S. Investments in Global Health Research (D43 Clinical Trial Optional)

The LAUNCH program supports the training of future global health researchers by providing early career researchers in the U.S. an opportunity for immersion in the wide-ranging health conditions and challenges experienced in international low-resource settings and to partner with local health researchers. Consortia consisting of four U.S. research institutions and at least six collaborating research intensive institutions and/or sites in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will develop one-year mentored research training programs for pre- and post-doctoral trainees that focus thematically on areas of biomedical or behavioral science relevant to the research priorities of the participating NIH institutes, centers and offices. These programs will provide research mentorship, rigorous technical and professional skills training, research partnerships with matched LMIC peers, career guidance, networking opportunities, and a collaborative research training environment to support the trainees’ potential to develop into independent researchers. By leveraging the unique scientific contexts of LMICs and existing NIH research grants led by program mentors, LAUNCH enhances the potential of future research by trainees to address health needs in the U.S. and globally.

Other Eligible ApplicantsForeign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessment of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study or research training program and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to the announced program objectives. All pertinent evaluation criteria are provided in the RFAs and PAs.