Planetary Health Center of Expertise invites proposals for pilot research projects

May 30, 2017

The University of California Global Health Institute Planetary Health Center of Expertise (PHCOE) invites proposals for pilot research projects to explore synergies among population (animal, plant, and human), health and environmental health (environmental services, diversity, integrity, and sustainability). UC faculty, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students and postdocs are eligible to apply. The deadline is 5:00 pm PT, Monday, June 5, 2017. We anticipate announcing results by June 15, 2017.

Proposals may explore proof of concept for population, health, and environment synergies by analyzing existing data or by collecting new data. Proposals must include at least one faculty and/or student from multiple UC campuses and bridge at least two academic disciplines. Applicants may usefully refer to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or other international frameworks for guidance.

The PHCOE will fund proposals up to $10,000 total for 1 or 2 years beginning July 1, 2017. Cost-share is available for projects collaborating with Conservation International's Vital Signs and with the Women's Health and Empowerment COE and may be available for additional select projects involving our core partners.

The PHCOE may invite successful pilot research project participants to team up with the PHCOE leadership and our core partners in grantwriting for externally funded collaborative projects in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, with the ultimate aim of leveraging resources for high impact and transformational results. The goal of these efforts is to drive the science and policy applications needed to help transition the world to a more sustainable home for future populations of people, plants, and animals.

While we welcome proposals on any topic and focused on any geographical region, we encourage interested applicants to consider how they might advance synergies among our core partners:

Proposal Requirements

  • Must be received by 5:00 pm PT, Monday, June 5, 2017
  • Maximum length: two pages, single-spaced, 12pt font)
  • Proposals should contain the following sections:
    • Project Title
    • Key words
    • List of collaborators and role of each
    • Significance
    • Methods
    • Anticipated Results
    • Timeline, budget and budget justification
    • Discussion of how the research might either leverage other existing research or provide necessary foundation for external proposal writing in collaboration with our core partners, ideally indicating the potential funding sources.
    • 2 page bio of the lead PI
    • 1 page bio or CV of student(s) involved

To apply, email your proposal to Maya Chatterjee planetaryhealth@ucdavis.edu no later than 5:00 pm PT, Monday, June 5, 2017.

For questions about this request for proposals, email planetaryhealth@ucdavis.edu or contact the UCGHI Planetary Health Center of Expertise Leadership Team:

  • David Lopez-Carr: david.lopez-carr@ucsb.edu (Food & Nutrition theme)
  • Woutrina Smith: wasmith@ucdavis.edu (Infectious Disease theme)
  • Samantha Ying: samantha.ying@ucr.edu (Environmental Exposures theme)
  • Nancy Suski: suski2@llnl.gov (National Laboratory linkages)
  • Federico Castillo: f.castillo@berkeley.edu (Planetary health economics and frameworks)

About the Planetary Health Center for Expertise

The PHCOE brings together faculty, students, and stakeholders from across the University of California system, including the national laboratories, to address issues involving population pressures on the environment and environmental pressures on populations. The PHCOE has three thematic areas:

  • Infectious Disease
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Environmental Exposures

Together these thematic areas represent the majority of morbidity and mortality for our global population. Across these areas, the PHCOE focuses on the impacts of environmental change and the importance of placing women and girls at the center of interdisciplinary transformational solutions.