The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced approximately $1 million in grants through the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program for six research partnerships between Indonesian and American scientists. The research will address research questions in topics such as climate change mitigation, infectious disease, and science education.

“The United States is proud to support Indonesia’s leading scientists and catalyze collaborative research between Indonesians and Americans,” said Chargé d'Affaires Brian McFeeters. “USAID believes that through the application of science, technology, innovation, and partnerships, we can develop breakthrough solutions together to help end extreme poverty and advance prosperity.”

Below are the six research projects that will examine challenges facing the Indonesian people:

• Name of Project: Strengthening Resilience to Extreme Weather Related Events in Indonesia through Improving the Predictability of Drought Risk within Drought Cycle Management Model

Principal Investigator: Heri Kuswanto, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, East Java

U.S. Partner: Justin Sheffield, Princeton University

• Name of Project: Enhancing Research Capacity through a Biotechnology-Driven Investigation of Novel Gram-Negative Bacteria from Indonesian Sponges

Principal Investigator: Ocky Radjasa, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Central Java

U.S. Partner: Phillip Crews, University of California, Santa Cruz

• Name of Project: Incorporating Climate Change Induced Sea Level Rise Information into Coastal Cities’ Preparedness toward Coastal Hazards

Principal Investigator: Syamsidik, Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Aceh

U.S. Partner: Louise K. Comfort, University of Pittsburgh

• Name of Project: Implementing a Combination of Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Biomarkers and Standard of Care Procedures for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Pediatric Patients to Improve Clinical Management in Indonesia

Principal Investigator: Herman Kosasih, the Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Diseases (INA RESPOND), DKI Jakarta

U.S. Partner: Clifford Lane, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (US-NIAID)

• Name of Project: Strengthening of Science Learning in Javanese Religious Schools

Principal Investigator: Askuri Ibn Chamim, Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies, DI Yogyakarta

U.S. Partner: Joel Kuipers, George Washington University

• Name of Project: Increasing TB Notification through One Stop Clinics and Engagement with Private Health Care Providers in Bandung, Indonesia (INSTEP)

Principal Investigator: Bachti Alisjahbana, TB-HIV Research Center, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java

U.S. Partner: Megan Murray, Harvard Medical School

The six projects from Indonesia were selected from over 650 proposals coming in from around the world this year. To read more about USAID PEER grants, visit http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/peer/index.htm

The next call for proposals for PEER will open in October 2016.