JAKARTA - The United States will provide more than $1 million of funding for maternal health research as part of the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program.  The United States will award grants to Indonesian researchers for collaborative research with American scientists in maternal and neonatal health.

"Collaboration is the foundation of these projects," said Ambassador Robert Blake.  "These grants will support ground-breaking joint research between scientists from our two countries addressing global health challenges."

Through these research grants, Indonesian scientists will develop new and innovative solutions for maternal and neonatal health.  Maternal mortality is a major development challenge as Indonesia works to reduce the number of women who die in childbirth.  The United States is committed to transforming development through the increased use of science and technology.

Previous PEER grants in health have supported Indonesian scientists working on infectious diseases including tuberculosis and dengue fever. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals for scientific collaboration between the United States and Indonesia that address major issues in maternal and neonatal health.  The grants will be competitively chosen based on scientific merit and their potential development impact.  To read more about the application requirements, visit www.nas.edu/peerhealth<http://www.nas.edu/peerhealth>.

Globally, through PEER projects, USAID directly supports researchers around the world who are working with U.S. scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States.  USAID's PEER grants are just one component of the United States' health initiatives in Indonesia that demonstrate the breadth of U.S. engagement under the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.