Capacity development in malaria research in Africa. (360G-Wellcome-084289_Z_07_Z)

The key goal of this proposal is to improve malaria research capacity in Africa. This will be achieved by further developing the skills of 35 African scientists previously supported through the Gates Malaria Partnership and by the training of a further 20 African scientists to doctoral level. Support for previously graduated PhD scientists will be provided through a mentoring and small grants programme. A new, highly competitive PhD programme will be established based on universities in Ghan a, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda. Successful applicants to this programme will be encouraged to undertake the majority of their research in Africa. Each student will be co-supervised by at least two supervisors, including one from a northern and one from a southern partner in an integrated way. Each student will receive an award of up to 50k for their research and will be encouraged, with guidance, to develop their own personal development programme. Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for a competitive re-entry grant. The output of this programme will be a significant contribution to research on the treatment or prevention of malaria and the establishment of an effective PhD programme that may act as a model for other African universities.