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Call for applications: Health Research at the Nexus of Humanitarian Crises and Climate Change

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The Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and partner organizations will host a Global Forum on Humanitarian Health Research (GFH2R) inclusive of public webinars and an in-person meeting in May 2025 (dates TBD) in Nairobi, Kenya.

GFH2R seeks to bring researchers and humanitarian organizations (including NGOs, local policymakers, and international agencies) together to share experiences and promote collaboration around health research in humanitarian settings. The theme for GFH2R 2025 is Health Research at the Nexus of Humanitarian Crises and Climate Change.

All interested applicants should review the information below and submit an application no later than October 7, 2024 on the application website. Note: Case study presenter applications will include a brief proposal.

This notice includes details on the following:

  1. About GFH2R
  2. Background and Theme
  3. Case Study Overview
  4. Call for Applications
  5. Eligibility
  6. Selection Criteria
  7. Timeline
  8. Application Checklist
  9. Steering Committee
  10. Definitions
  11. References

For questions about the call for applications or GFH2R, please email GFH2R@mail.nih.gov.

For technical questions regarding the application submission system, please email aking@crdfglobal.org.

About GFH2R

Humanitarian crises—including those resulting from armed conflict, forced migration and displacement, natural hazards, large-scale epidemics, and climate change—continue to proliferate globally and impact more people today than at any point in recorded history. To better meet the health needs of people affected by these events, humanitarian organizations need to act on reliable evidence. Unfortunately, there is limited scientific evidence available for these organizations to draw upon. Conducting health research in a humanitarian context is complex and uniquely challenging and has often been limited to small-scale pilots or evaluation in the past, which has resulted in a significant gap in evidence available to inform humanitarian policy and practice.

The Global Forum for Humanitarian Health Research (GFH2R) is a unique effort to address this gap. The Forum seeks to bring researchers and humanitarian organizations (including NGOs, local policymakers, and international agencies) together to share experiences and promote collaboration around health research in humanitarian settings. The 2025 meeting will be built around case study presentations by researchers from regions of the world affected by humanitarian crises. The Forum prioritizes the participation of researchers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), encourages networking and mentoring, and creates a venue for open and inclusive discussions.

GFH2R 2025 will consist of a series of public webinars and an in-person meeting in May 2025 (dates TBD). Compared to traditional scientific meetings, GFH2R is unique in that it is limited in size and built around small group discussions of case studies that are presented by researchers from settings affected by humanitarian crises. This format encourages open debate from varied perspectives, highlighting the voices of LMIC researchers. The model facilitates opportunities for networking amongst diverse participants for whom few formal, structured venues for interaction currently exist. Additionally, the involvement of research funders in the meeting will raise awareness among researchers of funding opportunities and help funders understand the unique challenges of humanitarian health research.

GFH2R is hosted by the Fogarty International Center at the U.S. National Institutes of Health in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre and Elrha.

Background and Theme

Humanitarian crises are occurring in the context of climate change and its environmental consequences, such as increasing sea levels, temperatures, extreme weather events, droughts, flooding, and wildfires, all of which impact human health and livelihoods (see reference 1). Some consider climate change itself to be a humanitarian and health crisis, with increasingly complex, frequent, and unpredictable climate risks that compound existing vulnerabilities and inequities within populations and cause cascading emergencies across different systems and sectors (see reference 2 and reference 3). The evidence base on the links between climate change and human health has emphasized the meteorological impacts of climate change on adverse physical health outcomes, including infectious diseases and respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological outcomes (see reference 1). However, much of this evidence draws from studies in high-income countries (see reference 4). There is a dearth of evidence from low- and middle-income countries (see reference 2), which have contributed the least to climate change but often bear the brunt of increasingly catastrophic events (see reference 5). There is also limited evidence on the impacts of climate change on mental health and broader social well-being (see reference 1).

Conducting health research in the context of humanitarian crises is already extremely challenging. Researchers may need to deal with safety and security concerns, political sensitivities, damaged or overwhelmed health systems, and a wide range of logistical challenges. Climate change acts as a “threat multiplier” and exacerbates the vulnerability of populations, making research in these contexts even more difficult.

In response to these realities, the theme of GFH2R is “Health Research at the Nexus of Humanitarian Crises and Climate Change.” The in-person meeting will be built upon in-depth case studies that describe research conducted at this nexus and share the challenges faced and strategies utilized by research teams.

Case Study Overview

Case Study Structure

For the purposes of GFH2R, a case study is a concise write up that provides insight into the planning and implementation of a funded research study. The case study will highlight challenges experienced and strategies employed throughout the research process. Unlike a traditional research paper focused on results and outcomes, a case study will provide an in-depth description of the research process and decision points throughout the study.

GFH2R case study proposals should describe an example of health research conducted at the nexus of humanitarian crises and climate change. Ideally, case studies should examine one of the sub-themes listed below but they may explore more than one sub-theme Case study applications are also free to explore the intersection of two sub-themes or discuss other issues associated with conducting health research at the nexus of humanitarian crises and climate change beyond the sub-themes listed. Case studies should be relevant to research in LMICs. 

GFH2R Meeting Sub-Themes

  1. Community engagement in research
  2. Equity in global research partnerships
  3. Academic-humanitarian collaboration
  4. Research methods innovation and adaptation in humanitarian settings
  5. Evidence use

Case study applications can be submitted under one of two categories:

  1. Research that is funded and will be complete by January 2025 or
  2. Research that is funded and still in progress after January 2025 that could benefit from feedback. 

Case study applications should not be based on research ideas or concepts that have not yet been implemented. However, applicants interested in sharing and discussing research ideas for future work should apply as a general participant as there will be other opportunities for these discussions during the in-person component of GFH2R.

For the purposes of GFH2R, “research” is inclusive of quantitative research, qualitative research, and mixed methods research, in addition to operational research.

Call for Applications

GFH2R is seeking two types of participants for the meeting:

  1. Case study presenters will receive informal mentoring prior to the Forum and present case studies of their research experiences during the Forum.
  2. General participants will be selected based on geographic, disciplinary, and experiential diversity, to join the meeting and participate in small group discussions and networking activities.

Case Study Presenters

We invite applicants to submit case studies that highlight issues related to conducting health research at the nexus of humanitarian crises and climate change. We welcome health-related case studies from various perspectives, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners (including clinicians and healthcare workers), government representatives, humanitarian NGOs, and intergovernmental organizations. Priority will be given to applicants from LMICs, though applicants from high-income countries (HICs) may also apply and are encouraged to discuss the relevance of their work for research in LMICs.

Selected case study presenters will be paired with a mentor from the GFH2R Steering Committee to help develop their application into a brief paper (2-3 pages) and a PowerPoint presentation. During the GFH2R meeting, case study presenters from around the world will share their presentations and discuss cross-cutting issues. The meeting will also feature keynote speakers and networking opportunities.

Case study presenters can apply as teams of two individuals for a joint presentation. All case study presenter applicants must be meaningfully involved in the research that is presented.

General Participants

In addition to case study presenters, general participants will be selected by the Steering Committee to attend the in-person component of GFH2R. General participants will be selected to ensure broad geographical representation, a mix of disciplinary expertise, and a combination of people who are early in their careers and leaders in their fields. These individuals will be expected to participate in discussions, attend presentations, and join networking activities. There may also be informal opportunities for these individuals to present their ideas for future work at the meeting.

Eligibility

Applicants from HICs and LMICs are welcome, although priority will be given to applicants from LMICs and researchers who are living in the country or region affected by crises. Applications are welcome from all career levels, although early- to mid-career scientists or those who are new to the field of humanitarian health research will be prioritized. Applicants are not limited to academic researchers; staff from government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector organizations are also encouraged to apply as long as their applications are focused on research.

All applicants must be able to submit an application in English, as GFH2R 2025 will be primarily held in English.

Note that travel to GFH2R, lodging, per diem, and visa costs for all accepted applicants (both case study presenters and general participants) will be fully sponsored.

Selection Criteria

Case Study Presenters

The GFH2R Steering Committee will select successful case study presenters based on the following factors:

  • Relevance of the case study to the meeting theme of “Health Research at the Nexus of Humanitarian Crises and Climate Change” and extent to which the proposed case study discusses how climate risks are compounding existing vulnerabilities and health impacts of humanitarian crises
  • Scientific and public health significance of the case study for the field of humanitarian health
  • Case study location (preference will be given to locations that are underrepresented in existing literature, e.g., LMICs)
  • Diversity of the submitting applicant or team in terms of geographic location and area of expertise (preference will be given to applicants under-represented in the field).

General Participants

Successful case presenter applicants are expected to fully participate in all mentorship activities and the complete in-person meeting.

The GFH2R Steering Committee will select successful general participants based on the following factors:

  • Geographic location: Applications will be selected to ensure a representative distribution of participants from different regions of the world.
  • Background/current area of expertise: Applicants will be selected for a diverse representation of different disciplines.
  • Experience conducting research in the context of humanitarian settings: GFH2R is intended for early- to mid-career scientists or those who are new to humanitarian health research, though applications are welcome from all career and expertise levels.
  • Reasons for attending the meeting: Participants should benefit from participating in the Forum and be able to actively contribute to discussions at the meeting.

Case study applicants who are not selected will automatically be submitted for consideration as general participants.

Timeline

Applications are due by 23:59 ET (USA) on October 7, 2024.

All case study applicants will be informed of the Steering Committee’s decision in November 2024. All general participant applicants will be informed of the Steering Committee’s decision in December 2024. The decision of the committee will be final.

Tentative timeline

  • August 2024 – Call for applications opens
  • October 7, 2024 – Call for applications closes
  • November 2024 – Case study applicants informed of status
  • December 2024 – General participant applicants informed of status
  • February – April 2025 – Steering Committee provides informal mentoring to presenters to develop and strengthen their case studies
  • May 2025 – GFH2R (Dates TBD)

Application checklist

To apply as a case study presenter or general participant, visit the application submission site. Please use the following checklist to make sure you have provided all the requested information in your application, in English.

Deadline: Applications are due by 23:59 ET (USA) on October 7, 2024.

If you are unsure about the suitability of a case study application or would like to discuss your proposed case study further, please email GFH2R@mail.nih.gov.

For technical questions regarding the application submission process, please email aking@crdfglobal.org.

Please ensure you include all the requested information as incomplete applications cannot be considered (see the checklist below). Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All applicants

All applicants must submit the following information:

  • Name
  • Contact information (email, phone)
  • Affiliation/institution
  • Country of residence and country of citizenship
  • Highest degree earned
  • Career level and discipline of expertise
  • Why do you want to participate in the GFH2R meeting? (200-word limit)
  • What would you uniquely contribute to the GFH2R meeting as a participant? How would you share meeting takeaways with your institution and local/regional partners? (400-word limit)
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (5 pages maximum)

Case Study Presenter applicants

In addition to the items listed above, case study presenter applicants must submit a Case Study Proposal (2 pages maximum) which includes the following information:

  • Title
  • Your name
  • Name of partner if applying to present as a team (2 people max)
  • Names of key collaborators and all relevant partners involved in the research
  • Status of the research
    • Please indicate if the research study will be complete by January 2025 or still in progress after January 2025.
    • Identify source of funding support
  • Identify selected major sub-theme
  • Identify selected minor subtheme(s) if applicable or other areas/topics explored
  • Brief description of the research project, including:
    • Research question explored
    • Public health challenge or disease area studied
    • Importance of study
    • Brief overview of results
  • Description of research context, including:
    • Location of study (if different from your own country of residence or citizenship, explain your connection to study location)
    • Description of the humanitarian crisis
    • Explanation of relevant climate risks/context affecting the study population
    • Relevant facts about the host country/community
  • Discussion of research issues. Refer to the theme descriptions and sub-themes for questions that could be addressed in this section.
  • Conclusions and two lessons learned to be shared as recommendations with other researchers.

Steering Committee

Definitions

The following are definitions of some of the key terms related to the scope of the meeting and theme developed for the purposes of GFH2R.

Climate change refers to changes in global or regional climate patterns attributed largely to human-caused increased levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases and planetary warming. Climate drivers affect health outcomes directly through weather events such as extreme heat, wildfires, droughts, storm surges, and floods, but also indirectly through a series of exposure pathways such as air and water quality, food quality, infectious diseases, and massive population displacement events (see reference 6). Climate change can act as a cause of humanitarian crises and/or as a threat multiplier of health risks in humanitarian settings.

Humanitarian crises involve sudden or protracted events that disrupt and threaten lives and livelihoods on a large scale and require extensive assistance and/or response, broadly including armed conflict, forced migration and displacement, refugee crises, natural hazards and disasters (e.g., extreme weather events, earthquakes, and droughts), large-scale epidemics, and disease outbreaks.

Humanitarian health research is inclusive of health research conducted in the setting of a humanitarian crisis and/or health research with a population directly affected by a humanitarian crisis (e.g., a refugee population fleeing conflict, relocated to a more stable setting, which may be in LMICs or high-income countries (HICs)). Such research may explore the effects of humanitarian crises on health systems or populations in specific contexts.

Humanitarian settings include locations where humanitarian crises have occurred or settings with populations directly affected by humanitarian crises (e.g., a setting where refugees fleeing conflict reside).

Low- and middle-income country (LMIC) refers a country categorized in “low-income economies,” lower-middle-income economies,” or “upper-middle-income economies” based on gross national income per capita by the World Bank. We recognize this terminology is not ideal and fails to account for many of the nuanced differences between nations. For consistency however, this language matches the current general NIH terminology used in NIH program announcements and funding opportunities. It is not intended to promote a hierarchy between different countries based on economic status.

Note on Privacy
GFH2R understands the delicate balance between protecting data collected and permitting access to those who need to use the data for authorized purposes. The primary use of this information is to identify candidates for participation in the GFH2R meeting. GFH2R and its Steering Committee will take every reasonable precaution to protect your information by maintaining appropriate physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to ensure the security, integrity, and privacy of your personal information. Additional information regarding CRDF Global’s Privacy Policy can be found here.

References

  1. Rocque RJ, Beaudoin C, Ndjaboue R, Cameron L, Poirier-Bergeron L, Poulin-Rheault RA, et al. Health effects of climate change: an overview of systematic reviews. BMJ Open. 2021;11(6):e046333.
  2. Baxter L, McGowan CR, Smiley S, Palacios L, Devine C, Casademont C. The relationship between climate change, health, and the humanitarian response. Lancet. 2022;400(10363):1561-3.
  3. Romanello M, Di Napoli C, Drummond P, Green C, Kennard H, Lampard P, et al. The 2022 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: health at the mercy of fossil fuels. Lancet. 2022;400(10363):1619-54.
  4. Berrang-Ford L, Sietsma AJ, Callaghan M, Minx JC, Scheelbeek PFD, Haddaway NR, et al. Systematic mapping of global research on climate and health: a machine learning review. Lancet Planet Health. 2021;5(8):e514-e25.
  5. Health, Wellbeing and the Changing Structure of Communities. In: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate C, editor. Climate Change 2022 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Working Group II Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2023. p. 1041-170.
  6. Climate Change and Health Initiative Strategic Framework. National Institutes of Health; 2022.

More Information

Updated September 11, 2024