U2RTW012116
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Makerere University Data Science Research Training to Strengthen Evidence-Based Health Innovation, Intervention, and Policy (MAKDARTA) - Project Summary. This is an application for the U2R: Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) Research Training Program Fogarty International Research Training Award. The proposed grant's goal is to leverage on the existing partnership between Makerere University and Johns Hopkins University to build a joint comprehensive data science research training program to strengthen evidence-based health innovation, intervention, and policy in Uganda.
Cognizant of the fact that the use of data science analytics in medicine is already generating new knowledge that is advancing prediction, performance, and discovery in health, the training program aims to: (1) establish graduate degree training (Master's and PhD) in data science for graduating health professionals at MAKCHS, (2) provide postdoctoral training that will enable Ugandan H3Africa alumni to transition into faculty and/or independent data science research leaders, and (3) train MAKCHS faculty to enhance their capabilities for data science research and mentorship of data science trainees.
The program will comprise of higher degree (Master's and PhD) and non-degree (faculty and post-doctoral) training with tailored coursework and mentored research training to equip trainees with the requisite skillset for successful careers in data science. For degree training, our strategy will be to take advantage of the existing infrastructure and trainings and gradually introduce data science training by selecting trainees from existing data science relevant Master's and doctoral programs. At the same time, we will expand the proposed Master's and doctoral data science curriculum in accordance with Makerere University guidelines, foster collaborations with other DS-I Africa training program PIs with a focus on curriculum harmonization and mapping of the same on core competencies, and seek national, regional, and international accreditation/endorsement.
With significant investment in key infrastructure and training at Makerere over the last 10 years, we believe that sustainable research and training in data science for health is feasible and could be transformative for Uganda's health research and care. At the end of the grant period, measurable parameters of increased research capacity we expect as a result of the training activities shall include (among others): significant new knowledge generated (as judged from the number of data science for health scientific publications, policy briefs, etc.), DS-I health innovations generated by trainees, interdisciplinary DS-I research teams at Makerere.
Cognizant of the fact that the use of data science analytics in medicine is already generating new knowledge that is advancing prediction, performance, and discovery in health, the training program aims to: (1) establish graduate degree training (Master's and PhD) in data science for graduating health professionals at MAKCHS, (2) provide postdoctoral training that will enable Ugandan H3Africa alumni to transition into faculty and/or independent data science research leaders, and (3) train MAKCHS faculty to enhance their capabilities for data science research and mentorship of data science trainees.
The program will comprise of higher degree (Master's and PhD) and non-degree (faculty and post-doctoral) training with tailored coursework and mentored research training to equip trainees with the requisite skillset for successful careers in data science. For degree training, our strategy will be to take advantage of the existing infrastructure and trainings and gradually introduce data science training by selecting trainees from existing data science relevant Master's and doctoral programs. At the same time, we will expand the proposed Master's and doctoral data science curriculum in accordance with Makerere University guidelines, foster collaborations with other DS-I Africa training program PIs with a focus on curriculum harmonization and mapping of the same on core competencies, and seek national, regional, and international accreditation/endorsement.
With significant investment in key infrastructure and training at Makerere over the last 10 years, we believe that sustainable research and training in data science for health is feasible and could be transformative for Uganda's health research and care. At the end of the grant period, measurable parameters of increased research capacity we expect as a result of the training activities shall include (among others): significant new knowledge generated (as judged from the number of data science for health scientific publications, policy briefs, etc.), DS-I health innovations generated by trainees, interdisciplinary DS-I research teams at Makerere.
Funding Goals
NOT APPLICABLE
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Uganda
Geographic Scope
Foreign
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 400% from $350,000 to $1,750,005.
Makerere University College Of Health Sciences was awarded
Data Science Research Training Evidence-Based Health Innovation in Uganda
Cooperative Agreement U2RTW012116
worth $1,750,005
from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in September 2021 with work to be completed primarily in Uganda.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years 10 months and
was awarded through assistance program 93.310 Trans-NIH Research Support.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) Research Training Program (U2R Clinical Trial Optional).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/20/25
Period of Performance
9/22/21
Start Date
7/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$1.8M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$1.8M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to U2RTW012116
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
U2RTW012116
SAI Number
U2RTW012116-3890634647
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Funding Office
75NA00 NIH OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Awardee UEI
QSXBGHKN8KV6
Awardee CAGE
STR11
Performance District
Not Applicable
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0846) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $700,000 | 100% |
Modified: 8/20/25