--- title: "ASCEND: Call for Applications for ASCEND Research and Innovation Fund" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "CROWN AGENTS LIMITED" published: "2020-12-14" --- # ASCEND: Call for Applications for ASCEND Research and Innovation Fund Buyer: CROWN AGENTS LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee.json) ## Summary CROWN AGENTS LIMITED is conducting a tender titled "ASCEND: Call for Applications for ASCEND Research and Innovation Fund," focusing on research and innovation projects aimed at controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The tender period ends on 29 January 2021 at 10:00 hours (UK time), with the project completion expected by 31 January 2022. This opportunity falls under the research and development services category and is available for projects located in various countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Bangladesh. The procurement is being managed under Private Procurement Rules, with available funding ranging from £25,000 to £350,000. This tender presents a valuable opportunity for academic, non-profit, and for-profit organisations engaged in health research and innovation, particularly those with expertise in NTDs. Businesses that are well-suited to compete include those that can propose projects that address the challenges posed by NTDs, especially in the context of building resilience against COVID-19. Collaborative approaches that demonstrate national engagement in the target countries will be favoured, enabling participants to contribute to impactful research while expanding their portfolio in international health initiatives. ## Notice Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of NTDs (ASCEND) is funded by the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to advance the impact and sustainability of national programmes tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). A core component of the programme is the ASCEND Research and Innovation Fund which finances research and innovation projects to accelerate progress towards control and elimination of NTDs. Crown Agents Limited, as leader of the consortium managing ASCEND, now invites applications requesting funding for potential research or innovation projects. Projects will propose research or innovative approaches to accelerate progress towards control and elimination of NTDs. Projects may also explore how adaptive NTD delivery can be supported to 'build back better' to minimise the risks of COVID-19 whilst also accelerating the elimination of NTDs. Projects can be at any stage from hypothesis testing, to pilot studies to scaling-up. Applicants may apply for funding ranging from PS25,000 to PS350,000. Proposed projects will have to be completed by 31 January 2022 and must relate to one or more of the following NTDs and target countries: - NTDs: lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis, and trachoma - Target countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Bangladesh, and Nepal This is an open Call for Applications under which applications are invited from any organisation. Applicants may be non-profit, academic, for-profit or government-owned organisations, either independently or in partnership or consortia. Applicants may be national or international organisations; international organisations are encouraged to show national collaboration and capacity strengthening within the target countries. The full Call for Applications (CFA) document can be downloaded from https://www.crownagents.com/procurement-notice/ascend-call-for-applications-for-ascend-research-and-innovation-fund/ The deadline for submission of applications is 10:00 hours (UK time) on Friday 29 January 2021. Applications must be submitted electronically in accordance with instructions contained in the CFA. Late applications will be rejected. Applicants are also requested to notify Crown Agents of their intention to submit an application by 15 January 2021. The Fund is looking to invest in a range of projects that vary in size and focus. Proposed projects will be evaluated by an evaluation committee to assess their eligibility, contribution to ASCEND objectives, feasibility, viability and value for money. Selected projects will be submitted to FCDO for approval Successful applicants will be expected to sign a subcontract based on terms set out in the CFA. Additional information: The full call for applications document can be downloaded from https://www.crownagents.com/procurement-notice/ascend-call-for-applications-for-ascend-research-and-innovation-fund/ ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4e922a17-d23d-4274-868b-7b787803e086 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Other - Private Procurement Rules | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Dec 2020 | | Submission deadline | 29 Jan 2021 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 15 Mar 2021 - 31 Jan 2022 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £350,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | CROWN AGENTS LIMITED | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South East London | | Postcode | SE1 0SU | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East | | ITL 3 | TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark | | Local authority | Southwark | | Electoral ward | Borough & Bankside | | Westminster constituency | Bermondsey and Old Southwark | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ## Release History - 14 Dec 2020 at 13:29 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4e922a17-d23d-4274-868b-7b787803e086 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4e922a17-d23d-4274-868b-7b787803e086 14th December 2020 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.crownagents.com/procurement-notice/ascend-call-for-applications-for-ascend-research-and-innovation-fund/ ## Notice URLs - https://www.crownagents.com/research-and-innovation-fund/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-74d2c76c-69ab-428d-b4a7-a6965e0ae3ee.json.