EDCTP: Senior Fellowships for Co-Morbidities Between Poverty-Related Diseases (PRDs) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Feb 2018

Closing date: 2 February 2018

There is a shortage of senior researchers and research mentors in sub-Saharan Africa with skills in the prevention, diagnosis and management of co-morbidities between poverty-related diseases (PRDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCD). Support to develop senior researchers within an appropriate and supportive mentorship structure is required to build sustainable research capacity and provide a career pathway for researchers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Healthcare in Africa is facing a significant challenge from the double burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on top of high rates of poverty-related diseases (PRDs).

Often studied as two separate categories of disease, there is growing evidence for bi-directional relationships between PRD and NCD manifestation and progression, with a number of co-morbidities relevant to African healthcare identified to date. Examples include the inter-relationship between diabetes and tuberculosis; the link between Burkitt’s lymphoma and malaria; the role of certain viral infections in tumorigenesis; and the potential increased risk of cardio-metabolic dysregulation reported for people living with HIV.

The purpose of this Call for Proposals is to provide funding to actions that aim to support capacity development of potential African research leaders using the train-the-trainer model and to mentor junior researchers with emphasis on hands-on research training linked to clinical trials activities in sub-Saharan Africa in the area of prevention, therapeutic management and prognosis of PRD and NCD co-morbidities.

The objectives of the scheme are two-fold:

To support senior researchers to advance themselves as recognised research leaders in clinical trial research and related activities
To equip senior researchers with the necessary skills and experience to train and mentor junior researchers at host institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Grants will be awarded for up to five years with a total funding of up to a maximum of €500,000.

For the full call text please visit the EDCTP grant call webpage.