Call for
Call for Expression: Small Research Grants
About Organisation
The SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center (STAC) is a specialized body under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It serves as the regional hub for coordinating and supporting efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS among SAARC member states. Established to promote collective action, STAC provides technical assistance, shares best practices, and supports research initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of these diseases in South Asia.
STAC plays a vital role in offering evidence-based policy guidance to national TB and HIV/AIDS control programs. It fosters partnerships among governments, public health institutions, and research organizations to strengthen disease surveillance, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and program implementation. The center’s mission aligns with global targets like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to end epidemics of TB and AIDS by promoting effective and inclusive health strategies.
STAC emphasizes the importance of addressing social determinants of health and vulnerable populations in order to make national responses more equitable. With a focus on innovation, integration, and inclusivity, the Center acts as a platform for regional collaboration and capacity-building, ensuring that its member countries are better equipped to address existing and emerging challenges in the fight against TB and HIV/AIDS.
About the Grant
The SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for its Small Research Grants program, designed to fund short-term projects focusing on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The initiative seeks to strengthen national efforts in combating these diseases by generating practical evidence for policy and program improvements across SAARC member states.
The grants support research in diverse areas including screening and early diagnosis (especially for drug-resistant and latent TB), integration of HIV testing for high-risk groups, use of preventive therapies, infection control, and reducing TB incidence among people living with HIV. Other key focus areas include understanding social and structural determinants such as stigma, gender, socioeconomic barriers, and migration, which affect access to care and treatment outcomes.
Projects may also evaluate health program effectiveness, identify policy gaps, and propose innovative solutions to enhance service delivery. Additional attention is given to special populations like children, adolescents, and people who inject drugs. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB and HIV programs is another priority area for research.
Each selected project will receive up to US$10,000 and must be completed within four months, from September 1 to November 30, 2025. Institutions may submit up to two EOIs, provided they are supported by their respective national TB or HIV/AIDS programs.
Who can Apply?
This grant opportunity is open to institutions and organizations operating within SAARC member countries. Eligible applicants include public research institutions, universities, government agencies, and national TB or HIV/AIDS programs actively working to address public health concerns in their respective countries.
To qualify, applicants must submit projects that are aligned with national strategies and are endorsed by the relevant national TB or HIV/AIDS Control Program. A mandatory requirement is the inclusion of an in-country subject matter expert from the national program who will supervise and guide the research throughout the project duration.
Each organization may submit a maximum of two Expressions of Interest (EOIs), and each must be accompanied by an official letter of support from the appropriate national program. This ensures alignment with country-specific priorities and enhances the potential for the project findings to contribute to national policy and programming.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate institutional capacity to conduct quality research within the given timeline and budget. Principal investigators should possess relevant qualifications and experience in public health or disease-specific research. Interdisciplinary teams, especially those involving gender-sensitive and community-based approaches, are encouraged. Research targeting vulnerable or underrepresented populations and those affected by structural and social barriers is particularly welcomed.
How to Apply?
Applicants must submit a cover letter addressed to the Director of the SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS Center, a detailed project proposal, investigator CVs, a concept note with budget and timeline, organizational profile (if applicable), and a support letter from their country’s national program. All EOIs must include the contact information of the study’s focal person and demonstrate national-level alignment through appropriate documentation.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Small Research Grants by the SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS Center is 10 August 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
Last Date To Apply
All interested institutions must ensure their complete applications are submitted no later than 10th August 2025, including the mandatory support letter from the national TB or HIV/AIDS Control Program.
Grant Amount
Each selected project will receive a maximum grant of US$10,000, and must be completed within four months, specifically between September 1 and November 30, 2025.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
