Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) Research Training Program (U2R Clinical Trial Optional)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks applications for Research Training Programs as part of a broader initiative entitled Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa). The goal of DS-I Africa is to spur new health discoveries and catalyze innovation in healthcare, public health, and health research on the continent through application of data science. Through this FOA, DS-I Africa aims to increase capacity to carry out data science health research and innovation in Africa through the support of at least 4 institutional research training cooperative agreement awards. Applicants should propose long-term data science health research training through graduate degree (master's and/or doctoral) training and faculty development. Grantees will train cohorts of African investigators who will have the skills to become independent investigators, research leaders, and research collaborators. The cooperative agreements can either be direct awards to African institutions or awards to U.S. institutions in partnership with African institutions. Regardless of the applicant organization, the training programs must focus on building institutional capacity at one or more African institutions and train African researchers. Partnerships with additional organizations, including for-profit or governmental organizations, are encouraged as a means to provide applied research experiences for the trainees. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) allows appointment of Trainees proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial; or proposing a separate ancillary clinical trial; or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, as part of their research and career development.