Financiamiento en investigación: ¿qué necesito antes de comenzar a buscar una fuente de financiamiento?: parte 1 / Research funding: what do I need before I start looking for a funding source?: part 1

Esta es la primera parte de un artículo sobre la búsqueda de financiamiento para un proyecto de investigación. Esta entrega resume los principales ítems para tener en consideración a la hora de postularse a una convocatoria. Requerimientos del proceso: 1. Tiempo protegido. 2. Propuesta de investigación sólida. 3. Equipo calificado y con experiencia. 4. Definición y organización de actividades. 5. Cronograma de actividades. 6. Estimación de costos. (AU)

This is the first part of an article about finding funding for a research project. This delivery summarizes the main ítems to take into consideration when applying for a call. Process requirements: 1. Protected time. 2. Strong research proposal. 3. Qualified and experienced team. 4. Definition and organization of activities. 5. Schedule of activities. 6. Cost estimate. (AU)

Measuring the value of a digital supplemental resource.

Supplemental resources in science education are made available to students based on the belief that they will improve course-based student learning. This belief is ubiquitous, with supplemental resources being a traditional component of physiology education. In addition, the recent large-scale transition to remote learning caused by the Covid-19 pandemic suggests an increased relevance and necessity of digital versions of supplemental resources. However, the use of a supplemental resource is entirely dependent on whether students view it as beneficial. If students in a specific course do not perceive a supplemental resource as useful, there is little reason to believe the resources will be used and are worthy of investment. Consequently, measurement of student perception regarding the effectiveness of any digital learning tool is essential for educators and institutions in order to prioritize resources and make meaningful recommendations to students. In this study, a survey was used to determine student perceptions of a digital, supplemental resource. Quantitative methods, including exploratory factor analysis, were performed on data collected from the survey to examine the dimensionality and functionality of this survey. The findings from this study were used to devise an improved, standardized (i.e., reliable and valid) survey that can be used and adapted by physi3ology researchers and educators to determine student perception of a digital supplemental resource. The survey, with known construct validity and internal reliability, can provide useful information for administrators, instructors, and designers of digital supplemental resources.

Advancing science and education through a novel collaboration platform between the University of Michigan and Peking University Health Science Center.

Research in China has been advancing over the past decade with increasing investments from government and private entities. Collaboration with Chinese investigators and those in the United States has also increased as reflected in the growth of scientific papers with Chinese authors. Collaborations are more commonly based on faculty-to-faculty relationships which can be challenged by institutional or governmental policies. This paper reports on an institution-to- institution collaboration, the Joint Institute for Translational and Clinical Research initiated in 2010 between the University of Michigan Medical School and Peking University Health Science Center, to enable and support collaborative faculty-initiated research. Concomitant education and training programs have also been co-developed. Beginning in 2011, 190 proposals from faculty-to-faculty partnerships have been submitted from which 59 have been selected for funding. These projects have involved over 138,000 patient subjects and resulted in 86 peer-reviewed publications to date. Pilot data has been leveraged to secure $27.3 million dollars of extramural funding outside of China. Faculty and trainee exchanges take place regularly including an annual symposium with mechanisms to link faculty who are seeking partnerships by utilizing each other's complementary strengths and resources. As the collaboration enters its second decade, both institutions believe that the model offers a unique platform to promote faculty-initiated collaborative research. Next steps include funding studies in prioritized scientific themes, and promoting access to high-quality cohorts to attract industry partners and to develop sustainable financial models.

The National Postdoctoral Palliative Care Research Training Collaborative: History, Activities, Challenges, and Future Goals.

Background: Palliative care-related postdoctoral training opportunities are critical to increase the quantity and quality of palliative care research. Objective: To describe the history, activities, challenges, and future goals of the National Postdoctoral Palliative Care Research Training Collaborative. Design: National web-based survey of participating program leaders. Measurements: Information about participating programs, trainees, challenges faced, and future goals. Results: Nine participating programs at academic institutions across the United States focus on diverse aspects of palliative care research. The majority of 73 current and former fellows are female (75%) and white (84%). In total, 38% of fellows (n = 28) have MD backgrounds, of whom less than half (n = 12) completed hospice and palliative medicine fellowships. An additional 38% of fellows (n = 28) have nursing PhD backgrounds and 23% (n = 17) have other diverse types of PhD backgrounds. Key challenges relate to recruiting diverse trainees, fostering a shared identity, effectively advocating for trainees, and securing funding. Future goals include expanding efforts to engage clinician and nonclinician scientists, fostering the pipeline of palliative care researchers through expanded mentorship of predoctoral and clinical trainees, increasing the number of postdoctoral palliative care training programs, and expanding funding support for career development grants. Conclusion: The National Postdoctoral Palliative Care Research Training Collaborative fills an important role in creating a community for palliative care research trainees and developing strategies to address shared challenges.

Clinical trials sponsored by industry and other private organizations

Abstract The present manuscript discussed some relevant aspects related to private sponsored clinical trials in dentistry. For decades, the academy has been the major responsible for research in Brazil. Distant from the trade sector, academic research has not always provided clear benefits to society. A key aspect of making benefits clearer is the process of scientific knowledge transference to decision-makers, which is, in fact, the ground of evidence-based dentistry. Although private sponsoring of clinical research seems to be part of the research progress of the business rates, investment in Brazil is lower than those observed in other countries. It is particularly important to understand that instead of creating its own rules, dentistry imported the high-quality standards originally designed for pharmaceutical studies. Therefore, it is critical to understand the original rules and how dental items are classified by regulatory agencies. In fact, knowledge about international and local regulation is a basic assumption in industry-sponsored research. Despite globalization, the identification of industry-sponsored studies through open access databases is still very hard and time-demanding. A common concern when conducting industry-sponsored trials is study biases. Fortunately, many relevant organizations, academic and industry groups, have been working seriously against that. Finally, for less experienced researchers, many aspects related to industry-sponsored studies - such as confidentiality, authorship, budget - are deeply discussed until a final version of the trial agreement can be written and signed, protecting all sides. In short, the scenario should be improved, but it already represents a nice opportunity for dental research.

Fostering a culture of research within a clinical radiation oncology department.

INTRODUCTION: Support and investment in increasing a research-active culture in clinical practice needs to be translated at the department and hospital levels as well as regional, state and national levels. We aimed to improve the research culture of our department, to enable more clinical staff to become more research competent and research active. METHODS: We describe and discuss the appointment of a Director of Research and a Research Coordinator into our already-research-active department and the interactions at the research-clinical interface. By identifying barriers and instituting enablers which ameliorate their effect, we explore how a clinical department can utilize the resources already available with the goal of developing a more confident and competent clinician-researcher culture as measured by a range of research metrics. RESULTS: We observed an improved research culture within our department. Our department's improved research culture was reflected by increased numbers of peer-reviewed publications (of 30%), research students/supervisions (of 60%) and engagement of external speakers. We also observed double the number of first-authored peer-reviewed articles and a growth in conference presentations, posters and speaker invitations/awards. In the majority of the research performance metrics tracked, there was a steady improvement noted over the four years monitored. CONCLUSIONS: By responding to the barriers of staff (such as time, expertise and ideas) with structural and personal enablers, as well as funded resources, it is possible to develop research capacity and confidence in a clinical setting.

1977-2017: Nursing research in Spain after 40 years in the University. / 1977-2017: La investigación enfermera en España tras 40 años en la Universidad.

Nursing research in Spain cannot be understood without analyzing the development of this profession over the last 40 years. The social, political and economic context has determined the evolution of nursing research, and an analysis of the current situation is necessary to confront the immediate challenges the nursing profession has to handle. To offer a global perspective of care research in Spain as a framework for reflection and discussion on possible short and medium-term strategies that guide the planning and decision making of the different stakeholders involved in nursing research in Spain. A multi-method study combining documentary analysis with bibliometric methods was carried out. Some isolated policies to promote nursing research have been identified, a significant increase in doctoral training (49 doctoral programs) and 89 nurse research groups (1.92 groups per million inhabitants) responsible for a scientific production that puts Spain in seventh place in the world ranking of scientific production in the area of nursing. The increase in public expenditure on R & D &I and the growth in bibliometric impact are associated with a higher density of nursing research groups. Nursing research in Spain is sensitive to research promotion policies and resources, although there is no consolidated and uniform strategy that overcomes current barriers. The impact of the academic development of Spanish nNursing in scientific production is still unknown.

Challenges and Priorities for Pediatric Critical Care Clinician-Researchers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

INTRODUCTION: There is need for more data on critical care outcomes and interventions from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Global research collaborations could help improve health-care delivery for critically ill children in LMIC where child mortality rates remain high. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To inform the role of collaborative research in health-care delivery for critically ill children in LMIC, an anonymous online survey of pediatric critical care (PCC) physicians from LMIC was conducted to assess priorities, major challenges, and potential solutions to PCC research. A convenience sample of 56 clinician-researchers taking care of critically ill children in LMIC was targeted. In addition, the survey was made available on a Latin American PCC website. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority of the 47 survey respondents worked at urban, public teaching hospitals in LMIC. Respondents stated their primary PCC research motivations were to improve clinical care and establish guidelines to standardize care. Top challenges to conducting research were lack of funding, high clinical workload, and limited research support staff. Respondent-proposed solutions to these challenges included increasing research funding options for LMIC, better access to mentors from high-income countries, research training and networks, and higher quality medical record documentation. CONCLUSION: LMIC clinician-researchers must be better empowered and resourced to lead and influence the local and global health research agenda for critically ill children. Increased funding options, access to training and mentorship in research methodology, and improved data collection systems for LMIC PCC researchers were recognized as key needs for success.

Global Forum 2015 dialogue on "From evidence to policy - thinking outside the box": perspectives to improve evidence uptake and good practices in the African Region.

BACKGROUND: The Global Forum 2015 panel session dialogue entitled "From evidence to policy - thinking outside the box" was held on 26 August 2015 in the Philippines to debate why evidence was not fully translated into policy and practice and what could be done to increase its uptake. This paper reports the reasons and possible actions for increasing the uptake of evidence, and highlights the actions partners could take to increase the use of evidence in the African Region. DISCUSSION: The Global Forum 2015 debate attributed African Region's low uptake of evidence to the big gap in incentives and interests between research for health researchers and public health policy-makers; limited appreciation on the side of researchers that public health decisions are based on multiple and complex considerations; perception among users that research evidence is not relevant to local contexts; absence of knowledge translation platforms; sub-optimal collaboration and engagement between industry and research institutions; lack of involvement of civil society organizations; lack of engagement of communities in the research process; failure to engage the media; limited awareness and debate in national and local parliaments on the importance of investing in research and innovation; and dearth of research and innovation parks in the African Region. CONCLUSION: The actions needed in the Region to increase the uptake of evidence in policy and practice include strengthening NHRS governance; bridging the motivation gap between researchers and health policy-makers; restoring trust between researchers and decision-makers; ensuring close and continuous intellectual intercourse among researchers, ministry of health policy-makers and technocrats during the life course of research projects or programmes; proactive collaboration between academia and industry; regular briefings of civil society, media, relevant parliamentary committees and development partners; development of vibrant knowledge translation platforms; development of action plans for implementing research recommendations, preferably in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals; and encouragement of competition on NHRS strengthening and research output and uptake among the countries using a barometer or scorecard to review their performance at various regional ministerial forums and taking into account the lessons learned from the MDG period.

A percepção de pesquisadores em alimentação e nutrição sobre as modalidades de fomento à pesquisa em saúde e a sua contribuição para a política nacional de alimentação e nutrição / The perception of researchers in food and nutrition on the modalities of foment to health research and its contribution to the national policy of food and nutrition

Introdução: as modalidades de fomento nacional e descentralizado sãoos principais instrumentos utilizados pelo Ministério da Saúde (MS) parafinanciar pesquisas em saúde. Entre 2004 e 2008, o MS lançou editaisem nível nacional e estadual, e financiou 278 pesquisas em Alimentaçãoe Nutrição com um valor global de R$ 14,5 milhões. Para a PolíticaNacional de Alimentação e Nutrição, o fomento à pesquisa representaum componente importante para o seu monitoramento e avaliação.Objetivo: Analisar a percepção dos pesquisadores contemplados poreditais do Ministério da Saúde no período de 2004-2008, sobre asmodalidades de fomento à pesquisa em saúde e a sua contribuição parao aperfeiçoamento da Política Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição.Métodos: Realizou-se estudo analítico, com aplicação de questionáriosonline semiestruturado com foco nas modalidades de fomento gerenciadaspelo Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia do Ministério da Saúde.Resultados: Observou-se que há uma preocupação dos pesquisadoresquanto a priorização de recursos para das regiões Norte, Nordeste eCentro-Oeste, o aumento do volume de recursos e melhoraria da go‑vernança nas Fundações de Amparo à Pesquisa. A modalidade fomentodescentralizado foi apontada como mais adequada para financiamentode pesquisa na área. Foram indicados dez temas prioritários para editaisde financiamento do Ministério da Saúde.Conclusão: As duas modalidades de fomento foram importantes paraatender prioridades nacionais e regionais de pesquisa, pois priorizamtemas importantes para saúde pública e proporcionam subsídios paracontornar tal problema e definir novas linhas de investigação para odesenvolvimento de novas pesquisas.

Introduction: the modalities of nacional and decentralized develop‑ment are the main instruments used by the Ministry of Health to financehealth researchs. Between 2004 and 2008, the Ministry of Health is‑sued national and state edicts and financed 278 food and nutrition re‑searches with a global value of R $ 14.5 million. For the National Foodand Nutrition Policy (PNAN), the promotion of research represents animportant component for its monitoring and evaluation.Objective: Analyze the perception of the researchers contemplated bythe Health Ministry in the period 2004-2008, regarding the methods offostering research in health and its contribution to the improvement ofthe National Food and Nutrition Policy.Methods: This is an analytical study, applying through an online semistructuredquiz guided about the funding modalities managed byDepartment of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Health.Results: It was observed that there is a concern of researchers regardingthe prioritization of resources for the North, Northeast and Midwest re‑gions, increasing the volume of resources and improving the governancein the research funds. The promotion modality has been identified asthe most suitable for research funding in the area. Ten priority topicsfor funding announcements from the Ministry of Health were indicated.Conclusion: The modalities of nacional and decentralized were impor‑tant to meet national and regional priorities, because they prioritize im‑portant issues for public health, provide subsidies to overcome problemsand define new lines of research to be developed.

Anatomía de la financiación mundial de artículos de excelencia en tabaquismo, 2010-2014 / Global funding for papers of excellence on smoking, 2010-2014

OBJETIVO:El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido conocer la financiación recibida por artículos de excelencia en tabaquismo a nivel mundial entre 2010 y 2014 a través de la Web of Science, y comprobar si recibir financiación se asocia con mayor repercusión de dichos artículos. MéTODOS: La búsqueda se realizó en SCI-E y en el SSCI a través de la plataforma Web of Science el 20 de mayo de 2015 (período 2010-2014, tipología originales y revisiones). La estrategia de búsqueda empleada fue "smok*" OR "tobac*". Para seleccionar los artículos de excelencia se escogieron los que tenían el índice h de la muestra global de la estrategia (número de artículos que tienen al menos ese número de citas). RESULTADOS: De los 193 documentos totales de excelencia en tabaquismo encontrados, 158 habían recibido financiación y en ellos participaron 279 instituciones financiadoras diferentes, que intervinieron en 522 ocasiones. La financiación provino preferentemente de organismos gubernamentales, fundaciones privadas y la industria farmacéutica. Se ha observado una disminución de la financiación pública y un incremento de la privada en los años analizados. Haber recibido financiación no se asoció con mayor repercusión posterior. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los trabajos de excelencia en tabaquismo recibieron en su mayoría financiación externa procedente preferentemente de organismos gubernamentales, fundaciones privadas y la empresa farmacéutica. La financiación pública se ha reducido y la privada ha aumentado. Haber recibido financiación no se asoció con una mayor repercusión posterior.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the funding received by papers of excellence on smoking at the global level between 2010 and 2014 through the Web of Science, and to find out if funding is associated with greater impact. METHOD: We searched the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) through the Web of Science platform on 20 May 2015 (typology consisting of originals and reviews for the period from 2010 to 2014). The search strategy was "smok*" OR "tobac*." To select the papers of excellence, we picked those that had an h index (i.e., number of articles having at least that many citations) from among the papers in the overall sample generated by the strategy. RESULTS: Of the 193 papers of excellence on smoking that were identified, 158 had received funding from 279 different financing institutions that intervened 522 times. The funding came primarily from government agencies, private foundations, and the pharmaceutical industry. Public funding declined and private funding increased over the years included in the analysis. Receipt of funding was not associated with greater impact at a later date. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the papers of excellence on smoking received external funding primarily from government agencies, private foundations, and the pharmaceutical industry. Public funding has decreased, while private funding has increased. Receipt of funding was not associated with greater impact at a later date.

The Stem Cell Research and the Aging of Brazilian Population.

The developing countries are experiencing a shift in the population profile, faster than that experienced by developed countries, especially due to the consolidation of health practices and technological advances. These social changes also imply new socioeconomic models, able to escort social demands caused by the growth of the elderly population and the decrease in young economically active population. Several countries seek for actions that do not marginalize the elderly, and invest heavily in new technologies to ensure health access and active participation of this group in society. Stem cell research may reflect at an improvement of public health, reduction in costs of hospitalization and lead to prevention and treatment of extremely debilitating illness, like the neurodegenerative diseases. Preserving the physical and mental functional capacity is of extreme importance to ensure the active participation of elderly population in society.

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the progress of basic research of pancreatitis in China / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To evaluate the funding and output of pancreatitis related projects supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC),and provide suggestions for the funding strategy in the field of pancreatitis research.Methods Database of funded projects and completion reports of NSFC between 1990 and 2012 were retrieved.The number of grants,amount of grants,types,contents,and paper output of funded projects were respectively analyzed.Results From 2000 to 2012,114 projects involving pancreatitis were funded by NSFC,including 71 general programs (62.3％),8 regional programs,34 youth programs (29.8％),1 key program.The total fund during 2011-2012 reached 25.44 million RMB for pancreatitis research,which was 2.76 times higher than that of 2000-2010.According to PubMed search,93 SCI papers funded by NSFC were published during 2011-2012,which was 2.07 times more than that of 2000-2010.The researches mostly focused on molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of acute pancreatitis,chronic pancreatitis and severe acute pancreatitis,which accounted for 61.4％ of all projects.Conclusions The number of grants,amount of grants,and NSFC funded SCI paper output of pancreatitis research have grown steadily,and it indicates that long-term funding of NSFC has played a positive role in promoting the development of clinical and basic research in the field of pancreatitis.

Estrategia para fortalecer las capacidades de investigación en salud en universidades públicas regionales: rol del canon y del Instituto Nacional de Salud / Strategy to strengthen health research capabilities in regional public universities: the role of the mining canon and the Instituto Nacional de Salud

El desarrollo de investigación científica en salud requiere de un sistema de investigación sostenido, articulado y coherente con las prioridades de investigación; este sistema de investigación implica la existencia de financiamiento tanto interno como externo, y de disponer recursos humanos competentes. El canon minero es un derecho constitucional, parte de él ha sido destinado para el desarrollo de investigación científica y aplicada por las universidades públicas (UP). El Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) tiene entre sus funciones promover, gestionar y difundir el desarrollo de investigación en salud a nivel nacional. Como parte de estas funciones se conformó un equipo técnico para brindar asesoría técnica a las UP para el desarrollo de investigación con fondos del canon minero, mediante la adecuación local de protocolos de investigación promovidos por el INS y asumidos por los docentes-investigadores de la universidad. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo describir la realidad de investigación de las UP peruanas que cuentan con fondos del canon minero, y presentar la intervención que el INS viene realizando para fortalecer las capacidades de investigación, iniciando con desarrollar propuestas de investigación que potencialmente puedan obtener financiamiento de parte del canon.

The development of scientific health research requires a sustained and articulated research system that is consistent with the research priorities, as well as both internal and external funding, and availability of competent human resources. The Mining Canon, a constitutional right, has been partly used to foster applied scientific research in public universities (PU). In addition, the National Health Institute (INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SALUD - INS) is devoted, among others, to promoting, managing and disseminating health research development at a national level. As part of these activities, a technical team was created to provide technical assistance to PU for research development using Mining Canon funds by making local adjustments to research protocols promoted by the INS and assumed by the professors-researchers at the Universities. This article aims at describing the reality of research at Peruvian public universities that have access to Mining Canon funds, as well as to elaborate on the work the INS is carrying out in order to strengthen research capabilities, starting with the development of research proposals that could potentially be funded by the Mining Canon.

Colciencias, el Sistema General de Regalías y el futuro de la investigación científica en Colombia / Colciencias, the "General System of Royalties", and the future of scientific research in Colombia

Un concepto que hubiera podido propiciar un formidable impulso al desarrollo de la generación de conocimiento en Colombia, como es el de asignar un porcentaje importante de las regalías al fomento de la investigación, se convirtió en la práctica en una medida que obstaculiza el avance de la ciencia en Colombia y amenaza con hacer desaparecer a Colciencias, la institución en principio llamada a dirigir y financiar la investigación científica en el país. Si bien, la ley 1286 de 2009 otorgó a Colciencias un nuevo estatus y dio origen al Fondo Francisco José de Caldas el cual debería financiar los proyectos de investigación que contribuyan al progreso de la nación, la realidad es que Colciencias no cuenta actualmente con un política integral para el avance de la ciencia y que el Fondo Caldas como bien lo describiera el Dr. Luis Fernando García, Director del Sistema de Investigación Universitaria (SIU) de la Universidad de Antioquia es un "Fondo sin fondos".

A concept that could have propitiated a formidable impulse to the development of knowledge generation in Colombia, such as allocating a significant percentage of royalties to the promotion of research, became practice in a measure that hinders the advancement of science in Colombia and threatens to make Colciencias, the institution in principle called to direct and finance scientific research in the country, disappear. Although Law 1286 of 2009 granted Colciencias a new status and gave rise to the Francisco José de Caldas Fund which should finance research projects that contribute to the nation's progress, the reality is that Colciencias does not currently have a comprehensive policy for the advancement of science and that the Caldas Fund as Dr. Luis Fernando García, Director of the University Research System (SIU) at the University of Antioquia described it, is a "Fund without funds".

Financiamiento público de la investigación en salud en cinco países de América Latina / Public financing of health research in five Latin American countries

OBJETIVOS: Describir los subsistemas públicos de los Sistemas Nacionales de Investigación en Salud (SNIS) en cinco países de América Latina (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay y Uruguay), con énfasis en los tipos de arreglos institucionales que se observan en cada país para promover, desarrollar y sostener sus SNIS, así como en los mecanismos explícitos o implícitos de priorización de proyectos de investigación en salud. MÉTODOS: Se identificó a los organismos responsables de manejar los recursos públicos destinados a financiar proyectos de investigación en salud en los cinco países estudiados. Luego se analizaron los tipos de proyectos que fueron financiados -utilizando una matriz por área y objeto de estudio-, ciertas características de los investigadores principales y los montos asignados entre 2002 y 2006. RESULTADOS: Solamente los países con mayores recursos o con redes de investigadores más desarrolladas poseen estructuras formales de asignación de fondos, con convocatorias periódicas y reglas estables, y ninguno cuenta con mecanismos explícitos e integrales de priorización para la investigación en salud. A su vez, las prioridades de investigación en salud presentan diferencias importantes entre países. En este sentido, es notorio que ciertos problemas, como "nutrición y medio ambiente" o "violencia y accidentes", reciban escasa atención en la mayoría de los países, al igual que varios temas de salud pública en algunos otros. Contrariamente, la investigación referida a "ciencias básicas" absorbe hasta un tercio de los recursos totales para investigación. CONCLUSIONES: Surgen numerosos interrogantes acerca de la capacidad de estos países para adaptar y generar nuevos conocimientos, y de la casi inexistente investigación sobre condicionantes sociales, económicos y culturales o sobre servicios y sistemas de salud, de alto impacto en grupos con acceso limitado al cuidado de la salud. Es necesario establecer explícitamente las prioridades en la agenda de investigación en salud, en consenso con las partes interesadas, así como incorporar mecanismos de monitoreo y seguimiento por temas y áreas de estudio del financiamiento de la investigación en este campo.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the public subsystems of the national health research systems (SNIS) in five Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay), emphasizing the types of institutional arrangements in place in each country to promote, develop, and sustain their SNIS, as well as explicit or implicit mechanisms for prioritizing health research projects. METHODS: The bodies responsible for managing the public resources allocated to finance health research projects in the five countries studied were identified. The types of projects financed were then analyzed-using a matrix constructed by area and object of study-, certain characteristics of the principal investigators, and the sums allocated between 2002 and 2006. RESULTS: Only the countries with greater resources or better developed networks of investigators have formal structures for allocating funds with regular calls for proposals and fixed rules. None of them has explicit comprehensive mechanisms for prioritizing health research. Moreover, the health research priorities in the countries vary widely. In this regard, it is significant that problems such as "nutrition and the environment" or "violence and accidents" receive little attention in most countries. The same holds true for a number of public health issues in some countries. In contrast, the research in the "hard sciences" absorbs up to one-third of the total resources for research. CONCLUSIONS: Many questions arise about the ability of these countries to adapt and generate new knowledge, as well as the nearly nonexistent research on social, economic, and cultural determinants, or on health services and systems that have a high impact on groups with limited access to health care. Explicit priorities should be set with stakeholders for the health research agenda, and mechanisms should be adopted for monitoring and following up health research financing by subject and area of study.

Bioethics activities in India

The Indian Council of Medical Research formulates, coordinates and promotes biomedical research in India. In 1980, they formulated the first national ethical guidelines. They offer a number of different training programmes, from 1 day to 6 months. The council is developing a core curriculum for teaching bioethics, which would be applied uniformly in medical schools throughout the country. Drug development and ethics is also important in India, particularly now that the local pharmaceutical industry is expanding and so many drugs trials are outsourced to the country. The council is also very active in encouraging the development of ethics review committees