Scientific Research in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition

Breastfeeding

The "Scientific Research in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition" Contest promotes Ecuadorian scientific production of high international impact, supporting the academic publication in the journal The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, by fully funding the publication costs of up to three academic studies.

It is aimed at researchers whose work presents results applicable to Ecuador or that demonstrate a substantial regional impact.

The Ecuador Grows with You Foundation makes available the databases of the Integrated Data Platform, worked by the Center for Analysis and Monitoring of the DCI, on national surveys and budget.

The application requirements are available on the following link of the
Competition rules and regulations

Priority issues

Maternal and child health: Addresses the health conditions of women during pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium, as well as their integral wellbeing in their first years of life.

Chronic child malnutrition: Limits the growth and physical and cognitive development of children, as a result of sustained nutritional deficiencies during the first 1,000 days of life.

Determinants of child malnutrition: These include a set of interrelated factors that influence nutritional status, leading to undernutrition or overweight.

Actuarial studies of ICD: They use statistical tools and predictive models to estimate the incidence, prevalence and evolution of this problem.

Schedule

  • Until December 31, 2025: Send abstract (300 words) to the following e-mail: centroanalisisdci@ecuadorcrececontigo.org.
  • Until March 31, 2026: Send the complete manuscript to the Foundation using the form.
  • April 1-30, 2026: Foundation qualification process.
  • 10 May 2026: Submission of articles to the journal by the authors.
  • 10 September 2026: Review decision.
  • September 15, 2026: Awarding of the prize.

Selection criteria

  • Relevance of the topic (20%).
  • Originality and scientific contribution (20%).
  • Methodological rigor (20%).
  • Expected impact on public policy or public health (20%).
  • Academic writing and linguistic quality (10%).
  • Use of databases of the Integrated Data Platform, worked by the Center for analysis and follow-up to the DCI (10%).

Type of financing

  • Funding will cover only processing and publication costs approved by The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, up to a maximum of USD $3,000 per study.
  • The amount will be paid directly to the publisher Elsevier upon formal acceptance of the article.
  • No cash funds will be given to the selected authors.
  • Other related expenses such as travel, translations, data collection or personal fees will not be covered.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements at the time of application:

  • Full research manuscript, for submission to The Lancet Regional Health - Americas journal in the format.
  • At least one of the applicants must present institutional affiliation to an Ecuadorian organization.