Health Equity Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is inviting institutions and research teams to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for health equity–focused policy and systems research. This initiative seeks to generate actionable evidence to support countries in identifying, addressing, and monitoring health inequities, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. The call aims to highlight community-led, innovative, and disruptive strategies that address the social determinants of health, generating research outputs that can be directly applied by governments, health-system leaders, and policy partners. Objective of the Call The primary goal of this call is to foster research that: Maps and assesses health inequities using locally relevant indicators. Identifies system-level drivers of inequities. Proposes practical entry points for policy and health-system action. Strengthens routine data collection, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. Produces evidence directly usable by decision-makers to reduce health disparities. Priority Research Areas Research proposals should focus on one or more of the following priority areas: Economic Inequality Examining the impact of income disparities and poverty on access to healthcare and health outcomes. Structural Discrimination Investigating inequities driven by gender, ethnicity, caste, or other systemic forms of discrimination. Climate Change and Health Equity Exploring how climate-related events exacerbate existing health disparities. Conflict and Health Systems Analyzing the health equity implications of conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems. Commercial and Digital Determinants of Health Assessing the influence of commercial interests, technology, and digital platforms on health equity. Eligibility Criteria The call is open to research institutions, universities, think tanks, and policy organizations based in the following countries: Brazil India Kenya Nepal Pakistan Senegal Sri Lanka South Africa Additional eligibility criteria include: Consortia or partnerships demonstrating capacity in health systems, policy research, or equity analysis. Experience working directly with ministries of health, national programs, or local health authorities is strongly encouraged. Proven ability to translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations. Research Expectations Applicants are expected to design research projects that: Apply health policy and systems research methodologies to capture innovative, community-led approaches. Identify drivers of inequities at both local and system levels. Offer practical solutions to reduce disparities within health systems. Strengthen data monitoring, evaluation, and accountability frameworks. Produce outputs that can inform real-world health policy and practice. Research teams are encouraged to integrate participatory approaches, ensuring that the perspectives of marginalized populations are central to the research design and analysis. Application Process Interested teams should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) detailing: A description of the research team and institutional capacity. Previous experience in health policy, systems research, or equity-focused studies. A preliminary outline of the proposed research focus, methodology, and anticipated policy impact. Potential partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including governments, local authorities, and community organizations. EOIs will be assessed based on: Relevance to the priority research areas. Feasibility and innovation of the proposed approach. Potential for policy influence and system-level impact. Capacity of the team to engage effectively with local partners and policymakers. Benefits and Opportunities Selected teams will: Receive guidance and technical support from AHPSR and WHO experts. Contribute to the generation of evidence with real-world policy relevance. Strengthen collaboration with ministries of health, local authorities, and other key stakeholders. Gain visibility within the global health policy and systems research community. Important Information Applications are open to institutions in specified countries only. Teams may apply individually or as part of a research consortium. Experience in translating research into policy-relevant outcomes will be highly valued. Submission and Deadlines For full details on the submission process, deadlines, and requirements, interested applicants should consult the official AHPSR page here This call represents a unique opportunity for research teams committed to advancing health equity through policy-focused, systems-oriented research that directly informs action in low- and middle-income countries. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.