NIH prepares for new MEPI research support in Africa
September / October 2014 | Volume 13, Issue 5
Photo by Richard Lord
for Fogarty/NIH
The NIH is planning the next
phase of the Medical Education
Partnership Initiative, designed
to help faculty strengthen their
research careers.
The NIH has announced it is committed to continuing to foster the next generation of researchers in sub-Saharan Africa and is planning to issue a second round of grants through the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI). A concept document published on the Fogarty website includes details of Research Training for Career Development of Junior Faculty in Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Institutions, the next phase of MEPI, currently in the planning stage.
The NIH Common Fund and a number of NIH Institutes and Centers have pledged support for the funding proposal, intended to build on MEPI's accomplishments by increasing the capacity of faculty to pursue careers that include research. Research training and mentored research opportunities will be provided for entry-level to mid-level faculty in MEPI-supported institutions. The scientific focus for research training will be broad and encompass the breadth of knowledge needed to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability based on the priority needs of the country or region.
MEPI was launched nearly five years ago to build human capacity for health by strengthening medical education across sub-Saharan Africa. The program is funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and NIH, and is jointly administered by Fogarty and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator has also expressed interest in continuing to support the program and is currently considering how best to structure a second phase.
The NIH funding opportunity to support the research and research training component of MEPI is expected to be released soon.
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