Sixth Cohort of the African Researchers' Small Grants Program Announced

The Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Disease (COR-NTD) together with the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD) are delighted to present the recipients of the 2023 African Researchers’ Small Grants Program (SPG VI). 

After a rigorous and intense selection process, nine researchers from six African countries have been selected as recipients for the sixth cohort of the SGP.

ARNTD received 288 applications for this sixth edition, with 132 making it to the final stage for funding consideration. Our congratulations go out to the researchers who have been selected for this funding, which will allow them to pilot context-driven solutions in order to combat NTDs in their communities.

Over the first five years of the SGP, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Program and UK Aid from the UK Government have provided close to $1.5 million to about 65 researchers in over 15 African countries. With this funding, the SGP contributes to attaining the targets in the World Health Organization’s Roadmap: “Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030.” This year, with financial support again from USAID and from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, young and mid-career scientists will be able to join the fight against NTDs through impactful research.

At the fifth anniversary celebration of the African Researchers’ Small Grants program, John Amuasi, Executive Director, ARNTD, indicated, “It is profound how this investment in SGP has resulted in larger grants for these researchers as well as skill and knowledge transfer.”

“It is essential that young scientists in Africa have the opportunity to contribute their in-depth knowledge from their proximity to the field to the decision-making process. Research equity does not just happen; it’s a deliberate effort and the SGP definitely promotes this," he noted.

“USAID is pleased to be supporting entry and mid-level career public health researchers through the African Researchers’ Small Grants program for the sixth year,” said Joseph Shott, Health Scientist in the Division of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Global Health Bureau, USAID.

He continued, “It's a remarkable achievement for these scientists, and we hope that this opportunity opens more doors for them in the future. Concurrently, it will build the evidence base for new implementation and innovation strategies for national NTD programs.” 

Patrick Lammie, Program Director, COR-NTD, noted “I am impressed by the way that SGP has provided these young scientists with career defining moments, launching them into new opportunities and career trajectories. SGP is creating the next generation of young scientists who will eliminate NTDs.”

With Africa bearing about half the global burden of NTDs, the African Researchers’ Small Grants Program represents one of the innovative ways Africa is working towards reducing this disease burden through creating a critical mass of next-generation of NTD focused-scientists. 

Congratulations to these nine, listed below.

Timothy Oluwaseye Olanrewaju

Timothy Oluwaseye Olanrewaju

Impact of migration due to insecurity and conflicts on preventive chemotherapy intervention for Neglected Tropical Diseases control and elimination in Kaduna, Nigeria

Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis (and Onchocerciasis) Research, Kaduna, Nigeria

USAID

Estelle Mezajou Mewamba

Estelle Mezajou Mewamba.

Development of a molecular tool detecting cell-free DNA from urine samples stored on filter papers for the improvement of urinary schistosomiasis diagnostic: Importance in the elimination and post-elimination monitoring.

University of Dschang, Cameroon

USAID

Emmaculate Yaah Ntang

Emmaculate Yaah Ntang

Development and evaluation of an antigen detection rapid diagnostic test strip for Onchocerciasis diagnosis: a necessary tool for the disease elimination program

University of Buea, Cameroon

USAID

Abebaw Tiruneh Asfaw

Abebaw Tiruneh Asfaw

Optimization of snail cercarial infection rates and water cercariometry for Schistosoma mansoni surveillance methods

Jimma University, Ethiopia

USAID

Ayenew Addisu Melkamu

Ayenew Addisu Melkamu

Integrating traditional healers in schistosomiasis case finding among hard-to-reach communities affected by complex emergencies in two districts in Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

University of Gondar, Ethiopia

USAID

Dodzi Amelor

Dodzi Kofi Amelor

Implementation of a self-sampling strategy for improving access to cervical screening and detection of female genital schistosomiasis in rural Ghana

National Public Health Reference Lab, Accra, Ghana

USAID

Moussa Sangare

Moussa Sangare

Improving the management of lymphedema in remote hard to reach rural areas through the integration of hygiene measures into the routine care package of community health centers in Mali

ICER-Mali/ Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Mali

USAID

Koba Privat Agniwo

Koba Privat Agniwo

Development of a novel cell-free culture system for in vitro screening of new anti-schistosomal molecules for pure and hybrid Schistosoma haematobium

ICER-Mali/ Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Mali

USAID

Mary Amuyunzu Nyamongo

Mary Amuyunzu Nyamongo

Enhanced community-based treatment among nomadic populations in the prevention and management of trachoma through social behavior change communication in West Pokot County, Kenya

African Institute for Health and Development (AIHD), Nairobi, Kenya

Gates Foundation