Investment in African epidemic and pandemic sciences research and preparedness will protect and enhance national and regional healthcare systems and help to safeguard African economic stability by mitigating adverse socio-economic impacts. Developing a thriving epidemic and pandemic sciences sector across academia, industry, government and policy organizations, and preparing an emerging generation of high-caliber scientists, policymakers, and healthcare leaders in Africa will enhance health security and economic prosperity on the continent, and leverage African expertise to influence epidemic and pandemic research, preparedness and response priorities at a global level.
EPSILONs
This call will foster a vibrant ecosystem of Epidemic Science Leadership and Innovation Networks (EPSILONs) across Africa. Each EPSILON will comprise three to eight organizations in a ‘hub and spoke’ consortium. Each consortium will establish a network of research excellence in a thematic area relevant to epidemic and pandemic sciences research, preparedness, and response.
These networks will nurture and promote world-class epidemic and pandemic sciences research and innovation in Africa, building a critical mass of experts across all health sectors in the continent to address ongoing health challenges while strengthening capabilities to respond to future infectious diseases and health threats. They will contribute to developing communities of practice that may be leveraged for long-term collaboration and during future outbreaks to respond to urgent research and policy needs.
Eligibility Requirements
Lead applicants can lead only one application but may be co-applicants in several applications.
Lead applicants must be based at an eligible organization and must fulfill the following conditions:
Hold an academic or research post; Have a salary, or the guarantee of a salary, for the duration of the award period, or be required by their contract of employment to have a salary;
Thematic research areas
Vaccinology / early-stage vaccine research and development
Virology – genotype to phenotype
Clinical research and clinical trials on epidemic and pandemic-prone infections
Epidemic and pandemic public health policy research
Climate change, biodiversity, and pandemic prevention
Advanced data assembly and analytics for threat assessment and mitigation
