Country Research Activity (CRA)
In fall of 2003, the Boston University
(BU) Center for International Health and Development (CIHD) was
selected by USAID to lead the Agency’s
country research activities over the next five years. Health
Research Program (HaRP) has undertaken research in priority
areas accelerating the adaptation translation
of a select number of key research products/findings into
use in worldwide health programs. As one activity under
the HaRP, the Country Research Activity (CRA) is working
to identify,
develop, and test new and improved tools, technologies,
approaches, policies and/or interventions to improve
the health status
of infants, children, mothers, and families in developing countries.
In addition to Boston University, the CRA Partnership includes:
CRA is carrying out a broad range of studies that are responsive
to country-specific research priorities and address locally
relevant research needs. The country specific research undertaken
by the CRA contributes to national evidence-based decision
making and program improvement. CRA is also directly responsible
for strengthening national research capacity and engaging
new host country partners. The CRA has the capacity to solicit
research competitions and effectively manage sub-awards between
U.S. and host country-based institutions on behalf of USAID.
The CRA can provide technical assistance to potential applicants
for competitive grants/contracts and ongoing technical assistance
to successful applicants, and conduct policy analyses
and research at the request of USAID Missions.
CRA capabilities include:
- Responding to mission/country specific priorities and locally
relevant research needs
- Contributing to national evidence-based
decision making and program improvement
- Engaging relevant
local partners, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), in research and in the
translation and introduction of research
results
- Strengthening national research capacity and engage
new host country partners
- Soliciting research competitions
and manage sub-awards between US and host country institutions
- Conducting
policy analyses
The CRA has
undertaken a multi-disciplinary agenda, conducting activities
in the following areas:
The CRA activities coordinate with the Global
Research Activity (GRA) and other collaborating
partners in research, introduction and implementation activities.
CRA is also working with host governments, non-government
organizations, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other
bodies that establish
consensus
and undertake relevant
country specific health research and introductory activities.
The CRA is also:
- Staying abreast and informing USAID of relevant efforts and developments in the larger international public health community of practitioners and researchers as they relate to country specific challenges;
- Participating in and being responsive to the research and introduction activity areas identified through USAID’s priority setting process;
- Functioning as a true consortium that shares resources and responsibilities so that studies are undertaken cost-effectively by partner institutions with appropriate technical expertise;
- Flexible in its approach so that it works on a broad range of activities and in diverse host country settings;
- Providing technical and managerial oversight to specific research studies in a cost-effective manner;
- Collaborating with USAID and relevant partners, including host governments, developing country institutions, multilateral health and bilateral organizations, and NGOs;
- Establishing and maintaining appropriate mechanisms to ensure that research undertaken meets quality and ethical requirements;
- Engaging relevant partners, including NGOs, in formulating and undertaking research and in the translation and introduction of research results into policies and programs;
- Disseminating research results/findings to appropriate audiences;
- Strengthening the research capacity of host country collaborators and institutions and maximizing opportunities to involve new and local partners in activities; and,
- Coordinating activities with other USAID partners, organizations, institutions, collaborating agencies and host-country programs.
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