The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $ 2.5 million dollars to support global research partnerships that will promote advancements across the full spectrum of discovery, from building new knowledge to piloting and scaling game-changing breakthroughs.

The Agency selected a total of 32 research projects for funding through the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program managed by the US National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The lead researcher for each project carried out overseas will work in tandem with a US Government-funded researcher. By increasing international scientific cooperation, the United States can accelerate progress on the Journey to Self-Reliance.

The 32 selected research projects span 18 countries on four continents, and range in amount between $ 30,000 and $ 80,000. Researchers will investigate a number of topics, including health, water and sanitation, agriculture, and economic growth. The new grants include studying the impact of fires on agriculture and the management of pastures to create recommendations for decision-makers and prevent deforestation in the Republic of Colombia and using innovative molecular genetic techniques and multi-stakeholder partnerships to conserve shark populations in the Republic of Indonesia.

The grants are also to help produce pesticides derived from natural materials to combat the contamination of crops with aflatoxin (which is a cause of stunting in young children) in the Republic of Mali; and use a novel assay to provide a rapid and low-cost diagnosis of tuberculosis in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Voltic Togo