Overview
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Posted Opportunities 0
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Founded Since 1850
Company Description
About us
TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps facilitate, support and influence efforts to combat diseases of poverty. It is co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Our Vision
“The health and well-being of people burdened by infectious diseases of poverty is improved through research and innovation.”
Our Mission
“To support effective and innovative global health research, through strengthening the research capacity of disease-affected countries, and promoting the translation of evidence into interventions that reduce the burden of infectious diseases and build resilience in the most vulnerable populations.”
Relationships with our other co-sponsors UNICEF, UNDP and the World Bank are also critical to our success, particularly in optimizing our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For example, we work with UNICEF on common approaches to children affected by poverty-related diseases, such as tuberculosis; with UNDP, we work to increase access to new products by engaging various stakeholders in countries and strengthening national capacities; and the World Bank’s agenda of increased health system resilience provides an opportunity for us to work together on implementation issues specific to country needs.
Our performance
Measuring not only what we do but how we do it
TDR performance measurement is guided by the TDR performance assessment framework. The framework has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders to help guide the implementation of TDR’s strategy. It has the following objectives:
- Promote continuous performance improvement through organizational review, learning and informed decision-making.
- Enhance accountability to stakeholders, including beneficiaries, partners and resource contributors.
Our History
TDR history: making a difference since 1974
TDR’s rich legacy began with the agreement at the World Health Assembly in May, 1974 to set up the programme. Since then, TDR has provided the most vulnerable communities in the world with new prevention strategies, treatments and approaches. It has also significantly strengthened research capacity in those countries.
A few key achievements
Provided research evidence to five major elimination campaigns for neglected diseases.
Been part of the development of 12 new drugs.
Helped to establish the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bednets and artemisinin combination therapy, now the mainstay of malaria control and treatment.
Identified social and gender barriers that impede access to treatment and care.
Provided evidence of the strength of communities in extending the health systems, starting with river blindness annual treatments, going on to diagnose and treat malaria, and to prevent dengue and Chagas disease transmission.
Trained thousands of researchers in just about every low- and middle-income country, many of the scientific leaders and policy-makers are former TDR grantees.
Special PLOS collection on TDR-40 year history
In a special PLOS journal collection (January 2015), TDR former and current staff provide their views on key challenges and lessons learned during the 40-year history, and explain how and why the approaches and workplans changed through time. This includes the type of research supported, the way it was conducted and even the diseases covered. As the needs in the countries evolved, so too has the Programme.
“TDR uses the tools of scientific investigation to understand why good drugs, good diagnostic tests, and good preventive strategies fail to reach people in need. In other words, to find the barriers to access, including costs, in impoverished settings and break them down.”
Dr Margaret Chan
Former Director-General
World Health Organization
Contact us
TDR mailing and street addresses
UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases
World Health Organization
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
General queries
Please contact TDR at tdr@who.int
Press and media requests
Please contact Ms Makiko Kitamura, TDR Communication Officer at kitamuram@who.int
Grant applications
TDR does not consider ad hoc (or case by case) requests for support. All grants are based on competitive selections in response to specific calls for application within priority areas of the portfolio. Refer to the website for current open calls.
If you have a question about a specific grant (either advertised on our website or in process) please contact: tdr@who.int
Governing bodies queries
Ms Christine Coze
Telephone: +41 22 791 26 66
Email: cozec@who.int
English