Our international review panel will use the following criteria to assess the submissions.

Research Significance

Researchers and partners must clearly articulate the proposed research questions to be addressed through sustained, deep collaboration within an interdisciplinary research team. They should provide a brief background on the data challenge being addressed; the rationale for the proposed project, including details on the anticipated outcomes of the proposed solution; detailed overview of the proposed project, including activities and expected outputs; a detailed overview of the communities and geographic regions engaged if applicable; project timeline and expected key milestones; assessment of the possible risks or barriers to success, and planned mitigation strategies etc. They must describe the current state of knowledge of the proposed topic areas (chosen from one of the themes below) that they wish to advance, including any necessary conceptual frameworks and/or methodologies. We expect a clear articulation of how the proposed project will advance current research being undertaken globally on pandemic and epidemic preparedness. Proposals should address how such an effort is distinct from existing national and international research networks that are exploring similar research questions. Researchers are required to explain how the project is interdisciplinary and rooted in a gender-sensitive approach and how an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder collaboration will produce unique and important progress towards pandemic and epidemic preparedness.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Mobilization (Kmb)

A key aspect of our proposed network is a Knowledge Translation plan that creates pathways to societal impact as well as capacity building for the use of AI in addressing public health-related issues in the global south. Researchers should identify potential areas or issues their project may impact that can inform the development of the project’s Knowledge Mobilization plan, which will engage non-academic stakeholders from industry, the public sector, policymakers or civil society. A new generation of world-class researchers and practitioners in the area of AI for public health are in high demand by academic, industrial and government organizations. As noted in the 2014 Public Health Agency of Canada workshop report Economic Evaluation in Immunization Decision Making “The challenge for assessment in Canada will be the required support and training for analysts and reviewers of these models to promote a greater understanding of when traditional methods are inappropriate.” Projects should demonstrate how they plan to build capacity for the use of AI for public health.

Excellence of Research Team

Potential team members should include researchers who are recognized to be among the best in their fields globally. Proposals will be expected to demonstrate the scholarly excellence of proposed team members and make clear how the team reflects the necessary interdisciplinarity required to address the research questions or challenges. Proponents should include a plan to promote diversity of membership within the research team.

Potential Leadership

Each team is expected to describe the potential leadership in the NOI stage. Team leaders should not only be selected for their excellence in research, but also for their disruptive thinking and deep collaboration across disciplines and national borders, and their commitment to impact.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion& Decolonization Lens

Efforts to improve equity, diversity Inclusion & Decolonization (EDID) in research teams help the teams to attract and retain the best researchers, enable researchers to reach their full potential, and support research outcomes that are more relevant and strong. We expect to see EDID principles in the team’s composition and research design.

Alignment with IDRC AI4H Objectives

Proposals will be expected to clearly describe how the project aligns with DRC AI4H Objectives.

Required & Eligible Organizations

There is no maximum number of participating organizations per application. The participating organizations for a project must include a “recognized” public university and must be in Africa, Asia, LAC and MENA.

Budget & Allowable Expenses

In total, each team can apply for up to $362500 (Direct cost 320,796 (+13% indirect cost (41,704))). We anticipate sponsoring at most 16 research teams across Africa (4 teams), Asia (4 teams), Latin America and the Caribbean (4 teams), and the Middle East and North Africa (4 teams) in this initial phase. Each team is expected to request funds sufficient to complete the goals and activities outlined in the proposal. Proponents will be expected to provide a detailed budget justification.