Open Call: Vector-Borne Diseases Research Grant Programme (Nepal)

Deadline: 31-Aug-2026

The Vector Borne Disease Research and Training Centre (VBDRTC) is inviting Master’s and PhD students in Nepal to apply for research grants supporting innovative studies on vector-borne diseases and public health priorities. The programme supports operational and implementation research in areas such as malaria, dengue, kala-azar, lymphatic filariasis, scrub typhus and Japanese encephalitis, with emphasis on climate resilience, surveillance, vector control and evidence-based health policy. What Is the Vector-Borne Disease Research Grant Programme? The research grant programme is organized by the Vector Borne Disease Research and Training Centre (VBDRTC) under Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population. The programme aims to strengthen Nepal’s capacity to generate scientific evidence for the prevention, control and elimination of vector-borne diseases. It particularly encourages research that responds to emerging public health challenges, including: Proposals should demonstrate a clear connection to vector-borne disease prevention, control, elimination or related public health priorities in Nepal. Which Diseases Can Be Studied? The programme has a particular focus on important vector-borne and related diseases in Nepal, including: Malaria. Dengue. Kala-azar. Lymphatic filariasis. Scrub typhus. Japanese encephalitis. Research proposals may examine epidemiology, transmission, surveillance, diagnostics, prevention, treatment implementation, vector behaviour, community practices or other relevant aspects, provided they align with the programme’s research priorities. Who Is Eligible? The grant is specifically intended for students undertaking postgraduate research in Nepal.

Applicants must:

Be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme. Be enrolled at a recognized university or academic institution in Nepal. Be a Nepali national. Propose research relevant to the programme’s priority themes. Ensure the research complies with applicable national ethical requirements. The grant can be used to support research that forms part of the applicant’s Master’s dissertation or PhD thesis. Principal Investigator Requirement Each research project must have one Principal Investigator (PI). An individual Principal Investigator cannot submit more than one proposal under the programme. Applicants should therefore ensure that their proposal clearly identifies the responsible Principal Investigator and avoids duplicate submissions. Research Ethics Requirements Proposed research must comply with the National Ethical Guideline for Health Research of the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC). Applicants should consider ethical requirements during proposal development, particularly when research involves: Human participants. Patient information. Community-level data. Biological samples. Sensitive health information. Field-based epidemiological research. Where required, applicants should ensure that appropriate ethical approval processes are followed. What Should a Strong Research Proposal Include? A strong proposal should clearly explain the public health problem and how the proposed research will contribute to addressing it.

The research proposal should establish:

The research problem. The background and rationale. Research objectives. Research questions or hypotheses where applicable. Proposed methodology. Study population or research setting. Data collection and analysis methods. Expected results. Potential public health significance. Relevance to Nepal’s vector-borne disease priorities. Ethical considerations. Applicants should demonstrate that the proposed study is scientifically sound, feasible and relevant to public health needs in Nepal. How to Apply for the Research Grant Applications must be submitted electronically.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before preparing the application, confirm that you: Are a Nepali national. Are enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme. Study at a recognized institution in Nepal. Have a research topic aligned with the programme priorities.

Step 2: Select a Research Topic

Choose a clearly defined vector-borne disease or public health issue relevant to Nepal. The research should fit within one or more of the programme’s priority areas, such as surveillance, entomology, climate-health, vector control, diagnostics or implementation science.

Step 3: Develop the Research Proposal

Prepare a scientifically rigorous proposal explaining the problem, objectives, methodology and expected contribution. If the grant will support your thesis or dissertation, clearly explain how the proposed research fits within your academic programme. Research that addresses climate-related health risks, disease elimination, surveillance capacity and evidence-informed policymaking can contribute to these broader priorities. Why This Research Grant Matters The programme provides postgraduate researchers with an opportunity to contribute directly to Nepal’s evidence base on vector-borne diseases.

Required documents: Proposal, CV, citizenship copy and supervisor/department head recommendation

Potential next stage: Virtual proposal presentation

Ethics: Must comply with Nepal Health Research Council’s National Ethical Guideline for Health Research

Frequently Asked Questions Who can apply for the VBDRTC research grant? The programme is open to Nepali nationals enrolled in Master’s or PhD programmes at recognized universities or academic institutions in Nepal. Can the grant support a Master’s thesis or PhD dissertation? Yes. The grant may be used as part of a student’s Master’s dissertation or PhD thesis, provided the research meets the programme’s requirements. What diseases can applicants research? Priority diseases include malaria, dengue, kala-azar, lymphatic filariasis, scrub typhus and Japanese encephalitis, along with related vector-borne disease and public health research areas. What research themes are supported? Priority themes include surveillance, entomology, climate-health, disease eliminat