In 1995, CONRAD established the Consortium for Industrial Collaboration in Contraceptive Research (CICCR) to help revitalize the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to developing new contraceptives. CICCR supports research and development of methods that specifically address the needs and perspectives of women, with particular emphasis on three priority areas: male methods, monthly methods for women, and vaginal methods that prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

CICCR encourages collaboration between industry and not-for-profit organizations by identifying potential leads under investigation in both developed and developing countries; encouraging industry to collaborate with and provide support for these organizations; and providing additional funds to investigators at not-for-profit entities. CICCR operates flexibly and on a case-by-case basis to accomplish its goals.

Support for CICCR was initiated by the Rockefeller Foundation. Subsequent support has been provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the United Nation Population Fund, and a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous.

At this time, only very limited funding is available for projects that fall within CICCR's priority areas. However, projects that have an established collaboration with a for-profit partner would still be of high interest. Activities of CICCR are now being handled by the parent organization, CONRAD (see: www.conrad.org)

CONRAD's overall goal is to improve reproductive health, especially in developing countriies. Our main objective is to help develop safe, acceptable, affordable products and methods that provide contraception and/or prevent the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS and other infections.

For inquiries regarding funding opportunities through CICCR, please contact Michael Harper at 703-524-4744 or mharper@conrad.org or Doug Colvard (dcolvard@conrad.org) or go to www.conrad.org and then Site Map/Partnerships/Funding Guidelines.