Research Grants in Tobacco Control
I. Background: (About the Bangladesh research grant program)
In Bangladesh, tobacco control is considered a low priority issue compared to other health-related programs. Tobacco control-related research has historically not been a popular topic within the academic community in Bangladesh. Therefore, there is a dearth of facts and figures needed to develop or strengthen tobacco control policy interventions in Bangladesh. The overall objective of the research grant program is to popularize tobacco control policy research in Bangladesh and generate local evidence to support effective tobacco control interventions in the country, and thus prevent death and disease from tobacco use.
Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) in collaboration with the Institute for Global Tobacco Control at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA is putting much emphasis on generating local evidence for effective tobacco control policy measures. Therefore, the Research Grant Program which is the first of its kind in Bangladesh, was initiated in 2013 with 10 research grants. The outcomes of those studies were very encouraging. Postgraduate students and individual researchers aspiring to contribute to tobacco control policy research in Bangladesh are eligible to apply for a research grant.
II. Description of 2017 program:
BCCP has been implementing the Tobacco Control Research Grant Program since 2013. Under the Research Grant Program, sixty research studies have been conducted to date through four grant cycles. During each grant cycle, the potential research applicants submitted proposals following the World Health Organization’s MPOWER package. Proposals on the research topics below are requested for the 2017 Tobacco Control Policy Research Grant Program.
III. Focus Areas:
1. Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies:
Industry interference /industry document research: Research proposals that demonstrate the tobacco industry’s attempts to reduce the effectiveness of the Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act. Research proposals that explore the industry’s marketing techniques and propaganda will also be considered.
Illicit trade of tobacco products: One of the deterring factors for tobacco control is illicit trade. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control aims at eliminating all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products. According to a WHO research study on Mapping of Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products, 115 brands of cigarettes, bidis, cheroots and other tobacco products are being sold in Bangladesh unlawfully. These illicit tobacco products lure young people into tobacco experimentation and use because they are more affordable. Illicit trade also takes tax revenue away from the government, which could otherwise be spent on public services. Research proposals on illicit trade of tobacco products are solicited.
Change of social norms towards tobacco, the tobacco industry, and tobacco control interventions: Using tobacco especially chewing tobacco is socially acceptable in Bangladesh. Proposals exploring the magnitude of these prevailing social norms or how to change these social norms are solicited.
Other policy development issues: Studies to inform new policies on tobacco control including banning the sale of single cigarette sticks; disclosing ingredients and emissions on tobacco packs; and, introducing a tobacco retailers licensing system can be considered.
2. Protect people from tobacco smoke:
Compliance with smoke-free laws in public places: According to the Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act, smoking in public places (the definition of public places is provided in the tobacco control law) is prohibited and it is a punishable offense. Proposals to measure the level of compliance with smoke-free public places (Public transports, public places, indoor workplaces, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals, etc) are encouraged.
Smoke free hospitality sector: Tobacco companies argue that 100% smoke-free hospitality sectors including restaurants, convention centers, community centers/halls, and tourist spots, decrease revenues. Studies exploring the economic and health impacts of the smoke-free law on the hospitality sector will be desired.
Short-term interventional study: Short-term intervention studies to measure the effectiveness of the tobacco control policy may be considered. The development and evaluation of communication interventions including Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.) campaigns will be considered.
3. Warn about the dangers of tobacco:
Public reactions to and/or impact of graphic health warning labels: According to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2013, graphic health warning labels shall be printed on both sides of the packet, cover, carton or box of tobacco products, covering at least 50% of the total area of each main display area. Proposals demonstrating public reactions to and impacts of graphic health warning labels are welcome.
4. Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship:
Compliance with tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship restrictions: Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act prohibits the advertisement of tobacco products in any print or electronic media, as well as tobacco product giveaways. However, tobacco companies are indirectly advertising to promote their brands and sales. Proposals addressing these issues, including explicitly addressing tobacco company tactics, are being solicited.
Tobacco marketing to youth: Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act prohibits the marketing or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products to people under the age of 18. Proposals exploring violations of the law will be considered.
Tobacco control and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities: According to the Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act, no person shall give or cause to be given any donation, prize, stipend or sponsorship of any program for the purpose of advertisement or promoting the usage of tobacco products. Proposals exploring the CSR activities of the tobacco industry or violations of this law will be considered.
5. Raise taxes on tobacco:
Tobacco taxes and prices: Applicants could propose to identify the impacts of tax and/or price changes on consumer behavior in various socio-economic tiers of the population. Research could examine who is getting the benefit of tax funds and/or raised prices, whether it is tobacco companies or the tobacco control initiative.
Price/income elasticity: Applicants could explore the adaptive nature of consumers in response to specific tobacco products. Research exploring how consumers switch from one brand to another due to rising prices corresponding to their current or annual income may be submitted.
6. Tobacco Cultivation:
Alternative crops and livelihood for tobacco farmers and industry workers: Bangladesh needs to take steps to find alternatives to tobacco growing. Proposals exploring economically sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing are invited. Proposals related to tobacco cultivation, processing & curing, and use of child labor will also be invited.
IV. Timeline for proposal submission:
No later than 4:00 p.m. on January 6, 2017 (Bangladesh Time)
V. Instructions for proposal development:
The research topic must be within the above mentioned themes and the priority issues of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use (monitor tobacco industry activities; protect people from tobacco smoke; warn about the dangers of tobacco through mass media campaigns and health warning labels; enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; raise taxes on tobacco). Proposals on generating local evidence that would contribute to developing a new policy or strengthen an existing one in line with the components of World Health Organization’s MPOWER package (http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/en/) are recommended. Proposals on quitting tobacco use, sub population based studies and evaluation of in-country tobacco control programs are currently considered to be non-priority issues.
BCCP will provide technical assistance, as and when required, to ensure completion of the research within the timeframe and with quality outcomes. The findings of the research projects will be presented at a Tobacco Control Research Conference to be organized by BCCP.
Interested applicants are requested to submit their proposals following the guidelines available at http://www.bangladesh-ccp.org/home/eventsDetails/32. In the case of student applicants, proof of current university enrollment must also be submitted. Three hard copies and an electronic version of the proposal in a CD should be submitted to the following address no later than January 6, 2017. Please mark the category “Student” or “Researcher” on top of the envelope.
In the cover letter of the proposal, the applicant should make a declaration that s/he is not involved with the tobacco industry or their agents in any form or manner.
For queries and clarifications, please contact us through email at btcrg@bangldesh-ccp.org by December 20, 2016.
BCCP Tobacco Control Research Grant Program
House # 08, Road # 03, Block- A
Section -11, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh
Email: btcrg@bangladesh-ccp.org
Website: www.bangladesh-ccp.org
Eligibility of the Applicants
Student Category:
- The student should be enrolled in a postgraduate program in Bangladesh.
- Applicant should be available in the country throughout the research period.
Researcher Category:
- Researchers having a Masters, M.Phil, or Ph.D. degree and affiliated with any university, institution or organization in Bangladesh. The applicant must submit a No Objection Letter from the applicant’s respective organization to carry out the research once it is selected.
- Freelance Researchers based in Bangladesh having a Masters, M.Phil, or Ph.D can also submit a proposal.
- Researchers must be available in the country throughout the research period.
- Applicants must have at least 3 years of research experience and have the ability to conduct a research study independently.
- Applicants must have at least one research publication. Evidence to prove research publication must be submitted with the application.
- A list of research studies that have been conducted by the applicant must be submitted on a separate page.
Selection Process
- Proposals will be short-listed according to the priorities listed above.
- Short listed proposals will be reviewed by a panel of renowned researchers and program/policy advisors to identify applicants who will be invited to make presentations in front of a review panel.
- Based on their merit, proposals will be selected for funding.
- Each selected proposal will receive a grant for a nine-month research project. The grant value for the Student category is US$ 5000 and for the Researcher category is US$ 10,000.
- The program will commence in February 2017.
- Each applicant is eligible to submit one proposal.
Documents to be Submitted:
Three (3) hard copies of the proposal with an electronic copy on a CD and the following documents must be submitted:
- Student applicant must be enrolled as a student at any recognized university or educational institution in Bangladesh. A proof of enrollment must be submitted with the proposal.
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The applicant should submit a consent letter from his/her Supervisor/Mentor confirming the following:
- The Supervisor/Mentor will oversee all components of the research activity
- Be available to attend research project related meeting(s) as and when required
- Ensure the quality of the research including research report
- Mention that s/he is providing a consent letter for not more than one applicant for the 2017 Research Grant Program.
Content of the proposal
- Cover page (Title of the study, name of the applicant, organization and contact details)
- Proposal abstract (maximum 250 words)
- Coverage of geographical/study area
- Background and problem statement: provide a clear and simple description of research problem/gap (maximum 500 words)
- Rationale/justification of the research (maximum 500 words)
- Objectives of the research (maximum 200 words)
- Methodology including study design, study type, sample size, data collection method and instrument, and analysis plan (maximum 1000 words)
- Implications of the proposed research for tobacco control policy in Bangladesh (maximum 500 words)
- Proposed personnel plan (maximum 500 words)
- Work plan
- Budget
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Suggested Budget Preparation Guideline:
- Personnel Cost (Salary for proposed staff members including Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Data Analyst, Data Entry Operator, etc.) - maximum 40% of total cost
- Field Activity Cost (Allowance for Data Collectors, cost for Enumerators’ training, local data collection costs, etc.) - maximum 30% of total cost
- Travel and Transportation Cost (Inter district travel costs by Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, and other travel costs not related to data collection) - maximum 10% of total cost
- Professional Service (Honorarium for Supervisor/Mentor and fees for Ethical Clearance) - maximum 10% of total cost
- General Operating Cost (any other costs related to the research work) - maximum 10% of total cost.
- Signed updated CVs of key personnel (Applicant, Supervisor/Mentor, Co-investigator) involved in the research (not more than 5 pages each)
Proposal review process
1 .The research proposal will be assessed based on the following criteria
2. Relevance to Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use priorities
3. Quality and feasibility
4. Suitability of approach, design, methods and/or analysis
5. Policy implications and scope for further research
BCCP will not compensate applicants for preparation of proposals against this grant announcement. This announcement does not make any commitment to award a grant to anyone. BCCP reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal without assigning any reason. Research work may be terminated at any time if research quality and the timeline of research are not maintained.
Reading documents:
- Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2009
- Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act 2005
- Amendment of Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005
- World Health Organization’s MPOWER package (http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/en/)
- Global Tobacco Control: Learning from the Experts (http://globaltobaccocontrol.org/online_training)
- Learning from the Experts: A Course for the Healthcare Professionals (http://hp.globaltobaccocontrol.org/online_training)
List of the Research Studies Conducted in the Last 4 Rounds
Sl. Title of the Research Studies Conducted in 2013
- Pattern and Awareness about Smokeless Tobacco in a Rural Area.
- Trade-off between the Informal Economy of Tobacco and Tobacco Control Policy in Bangladesh.
- Form and Effect of Indirect Advertisement and Promotion Activities of Tobacco Products in Khulna.
- Tobacco use among Rickshaw Pullers of Dhaka City: Behavior, Awareness and Prevention.
- Tobacco Smoking among the Adult Student: A KAP Study in Dhaka City.
- Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Respiratory Problems among the Infants of Smoker and non-smoker parents.
- Study on Health Hazards among the Tobacco Curing Workers of Bangladesh.
- The Practice and Consequences of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by Tobacco Companies in Bangladesh.
- Effect of Raising Taxes on Tobacco Consumption.
- Prevalence of Smoking among Physicians of Bangladesh.
Sl. Title of the Research Studies Conducted in 2014
- Smoking Behavior among Undergraduate Students Living at Hostel and their Homes in Dhaka City.
- Relationship between Oral Diseases and Tobacco Chewing among Slum Dwellers in Dhaka City.
- E- Cigarette: A Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Private University Students in Dhaka City.
- Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Youths towards the Use and Control of Tobacco: A Survey among University Students.
- Perception of Smoking-Related Risks and Benefits among Selected Urban and Rural Adolescent Students.
- Realizing the Ways to Keep Teenagers Smoke-Free.
- Prevalence and Awareness of Secondhand and Third-Hand Smoke Exposure among Medical and Dental Students.
- Expenditure and Knowledge about Tobacco use among the Rickshaw Pullers in Dhaka City.
- Changing Marketing Paradigm of Tobacco Industry in the Regulated Environment in Bangladesh: Lessons and Challenges for Tobacco Control Policy Advocates.
- Tobacco Consumption through Flavored Shisha among University Students in Dhaka City of Bangladesh.
- Use of Smokeless Tobacco by Low Socio-Economic Populations and Risk Factors Associated with It.
- Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Tobacco Users among Garment Workers in Dhaka City in Bangladesh.
- Magnitude of Cross Border Tobacco Trade and its Implications on the National Tobacco Control Program of Bangladesh.
- Disability and Economic Burden of Tobacco Related Illness: Experience from Rural Bangladesh.
- Smoking among Medical Interns and Their Perceptions towards Training about Tobacco Smoking in the Medical Curriculum.
- Dynamics of Smoking Behavior among Urban Adolescents and Young Adults of Bangladesh: Peer Effect and Family Influences.
- Prevalence of Tobacco Sales and Advertisement within 100 Yards of Schools in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Perception about Health Effects of Passive Smoking among Young Adults in Dhaka.
- Tobacco Growers and Incentives from Tobacco Companies in Selected Districts of Bangladesh.
- The Tobacco Consumption Practice of Female Day Laborer at Brick Kilns in Dhaka.
SL. Title of the Research Studies are being Conducted in 2015
- Heavy Metal (Cr, Cd and Pb) Contents in chewing and other categories of tobaccos used in Bangladesh and their effect on health.
- Second-hand Smoke (SHS) in Public Place: Awareness, Attitudes and Exposure among University Students.
- Smokeless Tobacco Consumption and Diabetic Foot Ulcer.
- Factors Associated with Female Smoking at Selected Areas in Dhaka City.
- Prevalence of Social Feedback against Smoking Incidences and their Immediate Impact on Smoking Behavior.
- Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Floating Youths and Young Adults in Dhaka City.
- The Prevalence of Tobacco Consumption and Associated Risk Factors among University Students in Sylhet District: A Cross-Sectional Study.
- Effectiveness of tobacco warning labels on cigarette packages to reduce smoking: A survey study in Dhaka city.
- Pattern of second-hand smoke (SHS) at Home and Determinants of Exposure to SHS among Children Aged ≤18 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.
- Emotional, Behavioral Problems and Cigarette Smoking Behavior: A survey among Bangladeshi Adolescent.
- Why farmers are turning into tobacco growers in Bangladesh?.
- Effects of maternal smokeless tobacco use on gestational age, and birth weight: a case control study in rural Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Level of compliance of Tobacco Control Act 2005 in terms of ‘Anti- tobacco’ signage display at Public place in Bangladesh.
- Practice of Tobacco Control Law in Major Public Places: A Survey in Dhaka City.
- Patterns of E-cigarette use and User Knowledge about the Safety and Benefits of E-cigarette smoking.
- Awareness of smoking related health risks and knowledge and attitude regarding national tobacco control law among Bangladesh Police.
- Smoking among the Employees and Barriers to Smoke free Hospital Initiative in a Public Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh.
- Warning people about dangers of Tobacco Use: The Role of Mass Media.
- A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Tobacco Consumption among Adults attending OPD of Public Hospitals with a view to develop an Information Booklet.
- Child Labor in Bidi Factories: Current Situation and Way Forward.
SL. Title of the Research Studies are being Conducted in 2016
- Socio-Economic Impact of Tobacco Cultivation in Bangladesh: A Study in Kushtia District.
- Prevailing social obstacles in keeping tobacco free homes in urban areas: Realizing ways to overcome.
- Insight of plain packaging among the adults general population in Dhaka City.
- Status of graphic health warning on tobacco packs: A study among low socio-economic group in Bangladesh.
- Relationship between Selling Tobacco Products by Children and Their Attitude and Practice Regarding Tobacco Intake.
- Impact of Taxation on the Consumption of Cigarette: A Study on Smoking Behavior among the Undergraduate Students.
- Price Elasticity, Social Norms, Tobacco Control Policies and Smoking Behavior among Students in the South-west Region of Bangladesh.
- Mapping Land use Land cover changes due to tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh with its public health impacts.
- Health and Environmental Impacts of Tobacco Farming in Selected Districts of Bangladesh.
- Marketing Strategy of E-cigarettes in Bangladesh.