The ninth call for applications under the GACD banner focuses on implementation research proposals, to address management of multiple long-term conditions, in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
US National Institutes of Health
To apply through the NIH process please visit the NIH funding opportunity pages:
Exploratory phased awards
Implementation Research for Multi-morbidity Management in the Context of Non-communicable Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and US Tribal Populations (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required).
The NIH held a guidance webinar in November 2024 — you can watch the NIH webinar here.
The second deadline for the NIH Call closes on the 5 November 2025.
For studies involving people living with HIV/AIDS, you may submit your application according to the appropriate AIDS-related deadline (second deadline: January 7 2026).
Joint Call Process
Please note the joint application process is now closed and awards will be announced in February 2025.
Horizon Europe
The Horizon Europe Call closed on the 26 November 2024 and awards will be announced in 2025.
Call Focus
The ninth call for applications under the GACD banner focuses on implementation research proposals, to address management of multiple long-term conditions, in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Proposals should aim to improve the availability of effective, equitable, efficient, integrated, patient-centred, safe, and timely care for people living with multiple long-term conditions (including at least one non-communicable disease), in low- and middle-income countries or among disadvantaged populations in high-income countries.
Key documents and resources
Preparing an application
For this ninth GACD funding call, we will be moving to a two-step review process. Applicants will need to submit a brief first stage proposal, which will be peer reviewed. All applicants will be provided with feedback from the first stage review process and successful applicants will be invited to submit a second stage proposal.
Challenge
Multiple long-term conditions, in the context of Non-Communicable Diseases (MLTC NCD) refers to the co-occurrence of multiple chronic conditions, at least one of which is an NCD. Chronic NCDs include cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, certain cancers, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes, hypertension, haematological disorders, sleep disorders, and mental illness. The high prevalence of MLTC NCD is projected to rise with the ageing world population and the increasing burden of NCDs. MLTC NCD has a profound impact on patients, and is associated with premature death, physical disability, substance abuse, poor quality of life, depression, and financial difficulties from high costs of care. It is also associated with difficulties in adherence to and high rates of adverse effects from treatment with multiple medications. In addition, due to poor health and the complexity of managing their conditions, patients with MLTC NCD are high utilisers of health care, straining already over-burdened health care systems, especially in low-resourced contexts.
Addressing multiple long-term conditions, including NCDs demands a shift from fragmented models of care, that treat individual health issues separately as they occur, to a more holistic integrated care model that provides a whole person focus on health management. In keeping with the principles of Universal Health Coverage, the World Health Organization advocates that health systems move towards offering a continuum of quality NCD preventative, diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care services, that are available and accessible to all, independent of economic circumstances.
Evidence for how to manage multiple long-term conditions, including NCDs is emerging, mostly from research in HICs. This evidence suggests that primary healthcare, integrated and coordinated care, patient-centred interventions, digital health technology, and optimised medication therapy are key to improved management of multiple long-term conditions, including NCDs. However, implementing patient-centred strategies for treating multiple long-term conditions, including NCDs remains challenging and largely unexplored in disadvantaged contexts, especially in LMICs. Adapting and scaling such models is critical to improving quality of life; reducing disability; reducing the burden of caretaking on (typically female) family members and reducing health system costs. Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring together teams across disciplines and sectors and must show evidence of collaboration with communities and decisionmakers, such as policymakers or health system leaders.
Funding agencies taking part in the Joint call
Please note the joint application process is now closed. The following agencies took part:
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Awards from the Joint Process are usually announced by individual funding agencies, up to four months after the Joint Peer Review Panel Meeting; these are expected by April 2025.
The Horizon Europe Call closed on the 26 November 2024 and awards will be announced in 2025.
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Several agencies have specific co-funding requirements:
SAMRC require co-funding with the UK MRC-NIHR
HSRI require co-funding with another agency taking part in this call
AMED and NIH cannot accept applications for co-funding.
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Applicants must apply to the specific GACD funding agency/ies participating into this call. The funding agency members of the GACD do not pool their funds together. Applicants must therefore ensure that they are eligible to receive funds and that their proposed projects meet all requirements of at least one of the funders participating in this call.
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Teams should be diverse and multidisciplinary. Teams are encouraged to ensure gender and geographical balance in leadership. The GACD expects that project teams will exhibit fair and equitable collaboration, especially between HIC – LMIC and non-Indigenous – Indigenous partners.
A match-making tool has been created for applicants, to facilitate collaboration and team building:
The tool can be used for both:
Partners looking for projects: As individual researcher, policymaker, community representative or other relevant stakeholder, searching for a project to join.
Projects looking for partners: If you want to build a consortium around an existing project and want to find partners for your project or require specific expertise on the team.
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All application materials must be submitted in English unless otherwise noted. However, we anticipate that project teams may include non-English speakers that play a critical role in planning the research project.
There are links to external websites in English throughout this webpage. You may need to view this webpage in its original English to access these links. To translate the material presented on linked websites, please open them in Google Chrome. If you are in a non-English speaking country, you should automatically be given the option to convert the text into your local language.
To translate materials in documents linked to this webpage:
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Please note that materials translated by Google typically have errors. E-mail addresses in particular may be corrupted if translated; please always use the e-mail address provided in the original document or webpage. We highly recommend that you work with a fluent English speaker when preparing your GACD application materials to ensure that you comply with all GACD eligibility requirements and that the peer reviewers can easily understand and evaluate your application.
Questions or feedback?
If you have any queries, please take a look at our Frequently asked Questions. You can contact funding@gacd.org with any questions about this funding call.
We always welcome feedback, so please take the time to complete our anonymous feedback survey about this funding call.
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