UNICEF / UNDP / WORLD BANK / WHO SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN TROPICAL DISEASES (TDR)
WHO/TDR Research Capacity Strengthening Grants
full · phd, masters
- Research/training grantsType
- WHO/TDRProgramme
- Low/middle-income countriesEligibility
- Infectious diseases of povertyFocus
- Fellowships & grantsSchemes
- Call-basedApplication
At a glance
full
Funding
€30k
Max amount
Rolling
Deadline
Low- and middle-income, disease-endemic countries (per each call)
Country
UNICEF / UNDP / World Bank / WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
Provider
TDR — the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases — is hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank, and WHO. Its research capacity strengthening grants support researchers and institutions in low- and middle-income countries to build expertise in infectious diseases of poverty. The support takes several forms across different calls: training grants and fellowships (including for postgraduate research and PhD-level training), clinical research and implementation research grants, and institutional capacity-building schemes. Funding typically covers training costs, research expenses, and stipends/fellowship support for the period of the award, and is delivered in partnership with universities and research institutions. Because TDR delivers this support through specific, periodic calls — each with its own theme, eligibility, and deadline — there is no single global application or fixed date. Researchers from disease-endemic low- and middle-income countries (and their institutions) apply to the relevant TDR call for which they qualify.
What's covered
- Training & fellowship support — Support for postgraduate research training and fellowships, including stipends for the award period.
- Research expenses — Research costs for clinical, implementation, or operational research projects.
- Capacity building — Institutional capacity-strengthening support in partner countries.
- Partnership delivery — Delivered with universities and research institutions, varying by call.
How to apply
Identify the relevant TDR call (training grant, fellowship, or capacity-strengthening scheme), confirm eligibility, and apply through that call by its deadline.
- Find a current TDR call — Check TDR's grants/opportunities pages for a call matching your research and country.
- Confirm eligibility — Verify your country, field, and applicant type fit the call.
- Prepare your application — Assemble your research/training proposal, CV, and institutional support where required.
- Apply to the call — Submit through the TDR application route by the call's deadline.
- Review — TDR and partners review applications on scientific merit and capacity-building value.
- Award — Selected applicants receive the grant/fellowship per the call's terms.
Eligibility
OriginBased in a low- or middle-income, disease-endemic country.
FieldWorking on infectious diseases of poverty / tropical diseases and related research.
Applicant typeIndividual researchers (e.g. for fellowships/training) or institutions (for capacity grants).
QualificationsMeet the academic/professional requirements of the specific call.
Call-specific rulesEligibility, theme, and deadlines are defined per TDR call.
This is research/training funding, not a single degree scholarship. There is no fixed global deadline — apply to the specific TDR call (training grant, fellowship, or capacity scheme) for which you qualify.
Eligible countries
Low- and middle-income, disease-endemic countries (per each call)
Deadlines
Varies by TDR call
Selection
TDR and its partners assess applications on scientific merit, relevance to infectious diseases of poverty, and the value for research capacity in the applicant's country and institution. Each call has its own review process and criteria, with an emphasis on strengthening research capacity where it is most needed.
Verified sources
- TDR — Grants and Opportunitiestdr.who.intofficial
About the provider
TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, is hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank, and WHO. It funds research and training to combat infectious diseases of poverty and to strengthen research capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are the WHO/TDR research capacity strengthening grants?
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Support from TDR — the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, hosted by WHO and co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, and the World Bank — to build research capacity on infectious diseases of poverty in low- and middle-income countries.
Is this a degree scholarship?
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Not a single degree scholarship — TDR provides research/training grants, fellowships (including PhD-level training), and institutional capacity-building support through various calls.
Who is eligible?
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Researchers and institutions in low- and middle-income, disease-endemic countries working on infectious diseases of poverty, who meet the requirements of the specific TDR call.
What does the support cover?
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Depending on the call — training and fellowship support (with stipends), research expenses for clinical/implementation projects, and institutional capacity-building, delivered with partner universities.
How do I apply?
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Identify the relevant TDR call (training grant, fellowship, or capacity scheme), confirm eligibility, and apply through that call by its deadline. There is no single global application.
When is the deadline?
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There is no fixed global deadline — TDR delivers support through periodic calls, each with its own deadline. Check TDR's grants/opportunities pages for current calls.
Which diseases are in scope?
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Infectious diseases of poverty / tropical diseases, including the clinical, implementation, and public-health research that addresses them.
Can individuals and institutions both apply?
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Yes — depending on the call, individual researchers (e.g. for fellowships/training) and institutions (for capacity grants) can apply.
Does it fund a full PhD?
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Some calls support postgraduate research training including at PhD level, often in partnership with universities; the exact scope depends on the call.
Who runs and funds TDR?
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TDR is hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank, and WHO, focusing on research and training for diseases of poverty.
Why does this listing say to check current calls?
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Because TDR's support is delivered through specific, periodic calls with their own themes and deadlines rather than one standing scholarship, so you should consult the current TDR opportunities.
Where can I confirm current details?
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On TDR's official grants and opportunities pages, which list the current calls, eligibility, coverage, and deadlines — figures here are estimates, so always check the live call.