Core support 2005-2010 for Major Overseas Programme at Kenya (360G-Wellcome-077092_B_05_A)

This is a proposal for core support to the KEMRI Wellcome Programme in Kenya. The twin overriding aims of the programme are to conduct research to the highest international scientific and ethical standards on health problems which are major causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa, and to build strong and sustainable national and regional research capacity. Over the last five years we produced over 320 peer reviewed publications and registered 31 PhD students and 15 MSc students (24 and 13 respectively of whom are from eastAfrica). The programme has a broad scope, from basic laboratory based research, through clinical and community based studies to health systems and health policy research. There is a strong emphasis on communication and translation of research findings into practice and this is reflected in the influence of much of the programmes work on national and international guidelines and policies relating to child health and particularly to malaria. Our scientific programme over the next five years is presented in three major themes: (1) Clinical, developmental and therapeutic studies (2) Epidemiology and Immunology. (3) Social, behavioural and public health. Each theme comprises the works of several clusters of groups with specific research interests, however an important aspect of the programme as a whole is the close integration within and between major research themes. The cornerstone for the development of the programme has been sustained support through core funding for essential infrastructural, organisational and capacity building functions, which provides the platform for specific research projects carried out under Wellcome Trust fellowship or project grant support. The main areas of core support are for (1) Shared data resources: linked systems of clinical,laboratory and epidemiological surveillance in Kilifi District. (2) Training and capacity building. (3) Community liaison, ethics and the research-to-policy interface. (4) Administrative support (accounting and personnel, transport, buildings maintenance).