The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research is calling for Proposals (in collaboration with The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), to strengthen health systems, promote civic engagement, and make research matter. The aim of this exercise is to support the integration of political, economic, social and policy analysis into research on public health and health care systems and policies in Eastern and Southern Africa. Only proposals focusing on this region will be considered. The research should provide solid grounds for making informed and needs-based decisions on the equitable financing and functioning of health systems.