CSIDNet Call for Working Group Proposals

The CSID Network (CSIDNet) invites members to submit proposals for new Working Groups (WGs) that will advance our mission to collaboratively address climate-sensitive infectious diseases through interdisciplinary, equitable, and community-led approaches. Building upon the operational model shaped by our Committees and our Fellows’ ambitious projects, CSIDNet launches its next step of frontline programming – Working Groups. These WGs will focus on issues that advance climate-sensitive infectious disease tool development and are open to all CSIDNet members. Operating semi-autonomously with shared accountability structures, each Working Group will contribute to network-wide learning, visibility, and governance goals. The 2025–2026 Working Group cycle will support up to 10 groups, selected through a transparent open call, community-wide voting, and a participatory funding process. For more details refer to the Terms of Reference for Working Groups.

CSIDNet Working Groups Overview

This is a 12-month proposal for CSID-related topically-focused activities. We are seeking to support members who are drawn to interdisciplinary collaboration and consider themselves passionate about climate justice, public health, and/or open source software.

Benefits

Participants in CSIDNet Working Groups will receive priority opportunities to present at Annual General Meetings, including leading sessions and showcasing outputs. They’ll benefit from increased visibility through CSIDNet channels, access to shared funding for group activities, and connections to a vibrant network of interdisciplinary experts. Members will also gain opportunities for skill-building, mentorship, and direct influence on the network’s strategic direction. Active contributors will be recognized and supported as key voices shaping CSIDNet’s collective agenda.

Expectations

Commitment

Working groups will vary in their activities and time commitments depending on their proposed topical focus and goals. However, we expect proposer teams to typically meet 1–2 times per month, with additional asynchronous contributions between meetings. On average, proposer teams should anticipate dedicating 3–5 hours per month to guide the group’s direction, set priorities, and support participation. Staff will provide logistical and facilitation support to help working groups function smoothly and stay aligned with broader network goals.

Language

CSID Network desires to break from normative global science where extraction is a norm. We recognize that if we do not weave equity into everything we do, we risk replicating extractive and oppressive systems in how we do our work. That said, we are also bound by the realities of limited capacities and resources. Thus, currently our CSIDNet general membership meetings are held in English. We recognize that English is not a primary language for many and will do our best to accommodate specific language supports (such as translation or interpretation) as needed and on a case-by-case basis.

While the working language of the Network currently is English, working groups are invited to submit proposals and share their work in any language. We require that all reporting be submitted in English.

Support

Working group leads will be supported by CSIDNet staff to schedule virtual group meetings. CSIDNet staff are available for additional support on an as-needed basis.

Reporting Requirements

Working groups will be expected to submit quarterly updates to the broader community about their progress on proposed activities. An annual summary report will be submitted after 12 months of activities and shared at the Annual General Meeting.

Budget Guidelines

Each selected working group will be eligible for up to $15,000 USD in funding. Eligible costs could include: stipends for facilitators, honoraria for guest speakers, software subscriptions, event logistics, and small-scale research or convening activities. Ineligible costs include: large equipment purchases, regular salaries, or indirect overhead. Please note: Final funding allocations will be determined through a participatory budgeting process with all selected teams in September 2025. We encourage teams to think creatively and realistically about what resources will support your group’s success.

About CSIDNet

Climate change, an indisputable and stark reality of our time, impacts human health. The term “Climate Sensitive Infectious Disease” (CSID) is used to describe infectious diseases whose transmission and spread are directly influenced by changes and variations in climate and weather. In response to growing awareness about CSID as well as advances in technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, there has been an expansion of digital tools, such as climate-informed early-warning systems, to better understand and predict the impact of near-term and long-term shifts in climate on disease transmission.

If implemented well, such tools have the potential to support governments, grassroots organizations, and individuals to proactively respond. However, to date, these tools and related practices have been unequally distributed, disconnected, and primarily developed and directed by those based outside of regions most affected by CSID.

Thus, the new CSID Network (CSIDNet) looks to both connect a global community of actors contributing towards impactful CSID software tools and establish localized CSID communities that can link existing on-the-ground issues and initiatives to the development and maintenance of CSID tools.

Selection Process and Details

All submitted proposals will first be reviewed by the CSIDNet staff to ensure they are complete and aligned with CSIDNet’s goals. If more than 15 eligible proposals are received, the Ad Hoc Committee committee will apply the selection criteria to narrow the list to a slate of 15 proposals.

A maximum of 15 proposals will then be shared with the full CSIDNet membership for a ranked choice voting process. Members will begin by indicating whether or not they support each proposal. For those they support, members will then rank them in order of priority. This ranking process will help identify the 10 proposals with the strongest collective backing. Members will also have the option to express significant concerns about any proposal, creating space for thoughtful dissent through a veto mechanism.

Proposed CSIDNet Working Groups should collaboratively develop and submit an application form that describes:

• Clarity and Feasibility: A clear problem statement, defined objectives, and a realistic work plan with achievable milestones and outputs within a 12-month timeline.
• Value Addition and Alignment: Demonstrates how the work adds new value to existing efforts (within or beyond CSIDNet) and aligns with the network’s goals and vision.
• Outreach and Ecosystem Impact: A plan to share outputs with relevant communities and encourage adoption, including addressing any capacity or knowledge gaps.
• Team Participation and Governance: Clear criteria for working group membership and expectations for participation, communication, and conduct.
• Openness and Continuity: A commitment to Creative Commons licensing (CC BY 4.0) and a brief reflection on how the proposal builds on prior work.

Proposal Template

Find application questions here. Submit via the platform linked below.

Key Dates and Deadlines*

• July 26: Call Opens
• August 8: Q&A and Peer Feedback session for Working Group proposals: 5 PM – 6 PM GMT+3.
• August 15 (midnight anywhere in the world): Submission Deadline
• August 23 – September 6: Voting Open to All CSIDNet Members
• September 16: Results Announced
• September 22: Participatory Budgeting Process begins for Selected Working Groups.

* These dates are subject to change depending on various factors including number of applications received, selection committee and team capacity, etc. Visit www.csidnetwork.org for the most updated timeline.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposer team leads must be based in a part of the world heavily affected by Climate Sensitive Infectious Diseases with significant kinship and relational ties to the place.

• There should be at least 2 different organizations represented in the proposer team

• Proposer team leads must be 18 years or older with demonstrated expertise in the proposed topic area, strong facilitation skills, and the ability to guide collaborative work. Ideal team leads should be:
  • Familiar with the technical, policy, or research context related to the group’s focus area;
  • Experienced in managing group processes and driving projects to completion; and
  • Committed to inclusive, transparent, and collaborative approaches that align with CSIDNet’s values.
  • Leads should have the ability and time to commit to leadership on a working group for 13 months beginning with a participatory budgeting process (first 4 weeks following successful selection) and then 12-months of planned working group activities including regular synchronous calls, and meetings.

• A proposer team member may only be listed on one submission. If you are on more than one proposing team, we will ask you to select one.

• At least 2 of the proposer team should be confirmed network members. There can be up to 6 people in the proposer team, at least 2 should be confirmed network members). The full working group member composition does not need to be finalized. The proposal should include a plan for recruiting and engaging new working group participants.

• We encourage diversity across sectors, disciplines, geographies, and identity categories, and strongly recommend striving for gender equity within each group.

How to Submit

The proposal submission portal is now closed.

The best responses will be specific and original. We do not advise using Chat GPT or any AI software, but if you must, we strongly encourage you to come up with your idea first and collaborate with the software to edify or proofread your answers. Reviewers will not be looking for perfect grammar, rather, for originality of ideas. We encourage applicants for whom English is not their first language to apply.

“Open Office Hours” Information Session

We hosted two informal office hours session on July 29th and Aug 8th to answer any emergent questions about the working group proposal and process. We compiled the questions and answers received in these FAQs. If you have questions that are not answered in our FAQ document, email operations @ csidnet .org. There is no preferential treatment towards a proposal based on attendance (or non-attendance) of this session.

No late proposals will be accepted. For questions not covered here, please email operations @ csidnet.org.

Acknowledgements: This program is made possible thanks to the support of the Wellcome Trust. Huge thanks to members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Working Group Selection Process (alphabetical by first name)–Benedicte Razafinjato, Gerald Odhiambo, Muchiri Nyaggah, Shakira Babirye–who helped refine this call and steward the overall process.