The Social Science Research Council announces USD $2 million grant for projects designed to increase demand for childhood vaccines, HPV, polio, measles, and COVID-19 in low- and lower-middle income countries. 

By First Check Desk 

The Social Science Research Council recently announced a USD $2 million Call for Proposals to support research projects for cost-effective and scalable solutions to build vaccination demand and healthier information environments. The latest funding expands the $25 million Mercury Project, a consortium of researchers working across the globe to support science-based health decision-making. 

Projects designed to increase demand for routine vaccinations, including childhood vaccines, human papillomavirus (HPV), polio, measles, and COVID-19 in low- and lower-middle income countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean are eligible for grants. The grants will be awarded on a rolling basis through May 2023, following rigorous review.

A unique product of collaborative philanthropic investment and scientific innovation, the Mercury Project, founded in 2021, currently supports over 90 researchers and practitioners based across 20 countries. The endeavour is to evaluate evidence-informed, locally tailored strategies to lower the search, decision, and logistical costs to accessing vaccination, while increasing the benefits, including social benefits, that drive vaccination. 

The research outcomes will help provide a solid foundation for data-driven policy and regulatory interventions, enabling the creation of a healthier information environment, while combating the growing health misinformation. 

Named after the Roman god of communication, Mercury, the global project encourages researchers to discover data-driven, evidence-based tools, approaches, and interventions to combat misinformation and disinformation and improve the dissemination and uptake of reliable health information.

Interested candidates can submit their applications through Social Science Research Council’s online application portal.