Building Research Capacity in Egypt through ...

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4. a pilot project program to create a competitive research culture within. Menoufia University. One of the major capacity building activities of the R21 grant was a ...
One of the major capacity building activities of the R21 grant was a video conference series on grant funding, which was jointly implemented by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and Menoufia University, Egypt in July 2011.

• Subtle changes in health outcomes due to pesticide exposures result in large social and economic consequences. • Universities in Egypt do not have resources, training or experience to carry out comprehensive pesticide exposure assessments or to effectively evaluate neurobehavioral changes associated with this exposure.

• There was no office at the University responsible for research and development. • There was limited funding available for supplies and equipment needed for research. • Researchers often independently funded their thesis or research projects. • There was limited recognition for research endeavors.

The seminar series presented various topics of grant opportunities and writing to the Egyptian participants.

• Egyptian researchers have little access to training on writing competitive grant applications to obtain these resources. • Therefore, it is important to build capacity among Egyptian researchers to make them competitive at the international level for carrying out pesticide related public health research.

Feedback from 108 participants who attended the symposium on grant writing

An additional symposium on grant writing and funding was held at Menoufia University, Egypt in January 2011. Dr. James Olson of the University at Buffalo (SUNY) presented various aspects of the grant application process for the participants. A needs assessment of faculty and students (N=108):

The capacity building activities were initiated through a R21 grant and and will be continued in the follow-up R01 grant funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Fogarty Institute.

We aim to achieve this the capacity-building goal through education, including 1. lectures and seminars 2. skills training on analytical methods and epidemiological research design 3. mentoring, including onsite opportunities for training in international laboratories 4. a pilot project program to create a competitive research culture within Menoufia University.

• 93% of faculty are interested in applying for funding • 83% are interested in training opportunities • The majority is not aware of available funding opportunities

 120 researchers were trained through seminars and videoconference to developing and enhancing their capacity to write grant proposals and explore funding opportunities.  The neurobehavioral test methods have been used in 5 additional research projects in Menoufia University.

Feedback from 108 participants who attended the symposium on grant writing

CONFLICT OF INTEREST OHSU and Dr. Rohlman have a significant financial interest in Northwest Education Training and Assessment, LLC, a company that may have a commercial interest in the results of this research and technology. This potential conflict of interest was reviewed and a management plan approved by the OHSU Conflict of Interest in Research Committee was implemented.

Staff working on the R21 project, were also trained and certified on: • Analysis of biomarkers of pesticide exposure • Trained on neurobehavioral test methods A major challenge is the lack of institutional support for grant activities, such as the absence of a grants accounting office.

 There is a need to provide training on how fundable research ideas can be developed and how the ideas can be used to prepare grant applications.  Future capacity building activities in the R01 grant will build on the success of the previous R21 grant, which would expand the research capacity at Menoufia University through both training and education. Funded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Fogarty Institute (R21 ES017223 and R01 ES022163-01)