Rural Global Health Partnership Initiative

The Rural Global Health Partnership Initiative (RGHPI) is a new program providing funding to support partnerships between rural BC physicians or medical trainees committed to rural service, and lower resource communities in BC, Canada, and in developing countries. Global Health is defined as “the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide” (Koplan, et al).  More simply, it is “a discipline that advances efforts to improve the well-being of people and the planet.” (K. Martin, CUGH).

The goals of this initiative are: to promote and enhance capacity for generalism in the health services of communities in rural BC; to foster reciprocal learning in diverse health systems and community contexts; to demonstrate how global health (local and international) community partnerships can heighten awareness, create innovative solutions to address healthcare challenges in rural BC, Canada, and globally, and lead to improved health outcomes, especially for underserved, marginalized, and indigenous populations.

Eligible applicants

• BC physicians with experience practicing rural medicine, extensive connections to rural communities, and a demonstrated interest in global health
• BC medical trainees (resident or medical student) with a demonstrated interest in rural medicine and global health

Criteria

Projects must demonstrate a commitment to ethical partnership and aligned goals among all participants and participating communities and be based on the following principles:

1. The project will significantly contribute to the enhancement of generalism and strengthening local capacity in health services of low resource and/or underserved rural communities.
2. The project will result in sustainable benefits to partner communities.
3. The project proposal reflects an evidence-based approach and provides clear rationale, methodology, and objectives consistent with the goals of the Rural Global Health Partnership Initiative.
4. Expected project outcomes are well-defined and achievable.
5. The proposed budget is reasonable and in line with the objectives of the project.
6. Partner communities and organizations have been significantly involved in the development of the project goals, expected outcomes, methodology, and evaluation process.

Activities ineligible for funding include: tuition costs for courses; salary remuneration for applicants; projects where no clear partner in the community served is identified (eg. NGO, community organization, institution, etc.); projects where the primary focus is transient clinical service delivery by foreigners in a developing country; and projects where the partner community is not significantly involved in determining project focus, goals, methodology, and implementation.

Funding

Applicants may apply for grant categories up to $5,000 and $10,000. This support can be applied towards project implementation, licensing fees, travel and living expenses. Travel and living expenses may not exceed $3,000 per application. Please note that proposals where the budget predominantly focuses on personal costs of travel will not be considered.

Funds may only be used for activities taking place after the approval of the application. Successful applicants will be asked to identify the recipient that will administer the funds (eg. university, NGO, medical corporation, etc). A T4A will be issued if the funding is received by an individual.

Application

To apply for the Rural Global Health Partnership Initiative, please download and complete the two forms below and submit along with the required supporting documents to apeltonen@rccbc.ca. The application deadline is October 31, 2020. Please note that only complete applications including all supporting documents will be reviewed.

1. RGHPI guidelines and application form 
2. RGHPI project proposal form (Download a copy, save and attach to your application email)
3. Current CV of applicant
4. Letter(s) of support from participating global health partner(s) (international or local ie. community organization, institution, First Nations band council)
5. Physicians: Letter of support from your community of practice Hospital Chief of Staff or Medical Director; Students/Residents: Letter of support from a faculty advisor or supervisor

For more information about the Rural Global Health Partnership Initiative contact Adrienne Peltonen at apeltonen@rccbc.ca. You may also find helpful information for developing your application on this list of resources.

The Rural Global Health Partnership Initiative is supported by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC and the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC).