Language:

English. Knowledge of the local language where one will be researching is an added advantage. However, a researcher can comfortably depend on an interpreter or translator.

Grant period:

9 months. Fulbright grants will begin between August 2014 and March 2015, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe.

Candidate profile :

Candidates at all degree levels will be considered. Candidates should be mature, independent and self-motivated.

Affiliation:

Fulbright Students affiliate with the constituent colleges of the University of Malawi or Mzuzu University, various Malawian government ministries, and the Center for Social Research. Applicants may seek affiliation with any of the three options mentioned above. However, candidates are strongly encouraged not to pay any affiliation fees until they are formally offered a Fulbright award. The National Commission for Science and Technology, National Research Council of Malawi (NRCM) promotes and coordinates all research activities at the national level and ensures that research projects are geared to national development needs and goals.

Research clearance:

An application for research clearance, together with complete biographical information, must be submitted early enough to reach the appropriate research coordinator at least six months before the date the applicant intends to conduct the research. Special permits might be required when conducting HIV/AIDS research. This permission is obtained through a special committee.

General comments:

Applied research receives priority over purely academic research. Preference is given to research that will directly benefit Malawi and to projects that involve local people and institutions as a way to build local capacity in research. Applicants should indicate how their research will directly benefit Malawi and involve local people and institutions.

Dependents:

The grant is increased by US$200 per month for one accompanying dependent; by US$300 per month for two or more accompanying dependents.

Website:

http://malawi.usembassy.gov

Location:

Lilongwe, Malawi

Affiliation:

UNC Project-Malawi, Lilongwe.
U.S. partner: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Contact:

• Dr. Charles van Der Horst 
  charles_vanderhorst@med.unc.edu
• Dr. Mina Hosseinipour
  mina_hosseinipour@med.unc.edu

Eligibility:

Medical students who will have completed 3 years of medical school at the time the fellowship starts or students in epidemiology programs, with preference given to those who have at least an MPH.

Project descriptions:

 Fellows would work in one or more of the following areas:

• Sexually transmitted infections; prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT); antiretroviral treatment (ART); tuberculosis diagnosis; family planning; obstetric fistula repair; cancer registry and hospital admissions (medicine, surgery and obstetrics). Through these activities and their existing databases, a wide variety of research questions can be supported. Additionally, the UNC Project will be responsible for the roll-out of laboratory services in the country for the next 5 years.
• Rolling out universal ART for pregnant and breastfeeding women and evaluation of the impact on HIV transmission to the infant. The proposed position will work closely with the existing monitoring and evaluation team to answer operational issues related to the rollout of PMTCT and ART activities and best practices for the integration of additional services, including tuberculosis screening, family planning and laboratory services. Research activities will include cost effectiveness evaluation of novel programs such as: point of care testing; modification of ART eligibility guidelines; recruitment and retention strategies, such as cell phone reminders; and, evaluation of the impact of such programs if expanded nationally.
• Development of optimal screening algorithms using new technologies. Drug resistance to common tuberculosis treatment is increasing, but the extent of resistance in Malawi is under investigation. UNC Project has developed more sensitive diagnostic testing capacity, but it is unclear how these tests should be integrated into the TB program. Research activities will include development of optimal screening algorithms using technologies. 
• The Malawi ART program, initiated in 2004, has now evolved to provide more comprehensive integrated services, including family planning, cervical cancer screening, pre-ART care including Isoniazid prophylaxis, and other prevention health programs, including mosquito bednet distribution. Previous projects have included evaluation of uptake of family planning services, including IUCD, evaluation of criteria for treatment failure and reasons for loss to follow-up in both pre-ART and post-ART care. Fellows may develop projects focused on program evaluation of existing services or models of integration within the program.
• The UNC Project is a part of the ACTG, IMPAACT, MTN, HPTN, CHAVI, IPM and Malaria Vaccine Initiative  networks and has participated in many network studies. Under some circumstances, trainees may become involved with site specific projects related to a network study.