An International network of DSS sites involved in demographic and health research in developing countries      

The INDEPTH Prize for Extraordinary Research in Population and Health at INDEPTH Sites

Previous Winner:

2006 Prize: Won by Kintampo DSS, Ghana

2005 Prize: Won by Filabavi DSS, Vietnam

The INDEPTH Prize for Extraordinary Research in Population and Health at INDEPTH Sites was established by the Board of Trustees of the INDEPTH Network in March 2002. The Prize fund of $10000 was donated to INDEPTH Network by Dr. Peter Aaby, leader of the Bandim HDSS site in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. The Prize of $3000 is awarded annually (until the fund has been exhausted) at an INDEPTH Annual and General Scientific Meeting (AGM) or periodically to HDSS researchers who have published innovative INDEPTH-relevant research work in a refereed journal or a comparable publication.

The objective of the Prize is to stimulate researchers at INDEPTH member sites to undertake innovative work leading to extraordinary results that have the potential to impact policy and practice. The results could challenge existing knowledge. The Prize has been established to honour the men and women who are advancing population and health research at INDEPTH sites in developing countries by creating novel methods – or reinvigorating older, established methods -- to motivate and instruct the next generation of practicing developing country epidemiologists, demographers and social scientists.

The INDEPTH Prize is unique for two reasons. First, it aspires to influence the fundamental approach to population and health research in developing countries. Second, the prize rewards innovation and catalyses expansion of novel approaches in field-based research. Thus, one-half of the prize money goes to the individual or individuals who develop(s) the innovative research methods that demonstrate impact; the other half recognises the HDSS site where the research was conducted and is intended to provide the impetus for innovative research at INDEPTH sites.

Nominations

The Secretariat is calling for recently published (or accepted for publication) HDSS-based papers in 2007/2008 from INDEPTH sites. Any member site may nominate an eligible work. Nominations should accompany a short statement for the reasons of nomination as well as the nominated academic work itself.

Please submit your nominations to Dr. Ayaga Bawah (bawah.ayaga@indepth-network.org)

Selection Process of the Award Eligibility - Any research work which has been published in a refereed journal or book in 2007/2008 by a researcher at an INDEPTH member site, is eligible for consideration of the Prize. Papers which have been accepted but are awaiting publication may also be submitted for consideration. Papers refused publication but where author(s) will argue that rejection was based on poor judgement, may also be submitted. Publication through the Internet will be considered if there is a refereeing process. A Ph.D. dissertation, before its publication in its entirety or in part in refereed medium, is not eligible.

The INDEPTH Scientific Advisory Committee will set up a Selection
Committee and will announce the winning paper at the 8th AGM in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 22-26 September 2008.

Selection Criteria

1. Innovativeness - The work introduces an innovative concept or an
approach for understanding of dynamics of populations at INDEPTH sites.

2. Expected Impact on Future Research Development - The extent of the
impact the work will likely have on the development of the research
studies in the respective field.

3. Completeness - The work should be completed as an academic work in the
sense that meaningful conclusions are derived.

Deadline for nominations: 31st July 2008