2023 African Researchers Small Grants Program

20 Mar 2023

The Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Disease (COR-NTD) together with the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD) selected nine researchers from six African countries as recipients of the 2023 African Researchers’ Small Grants Program, which will allow them to pilot context-driven solutions to combat NTDs in their communities.

This year, with financial support from USAID and from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, these 9 early- and mid-career scientists will be able to join the fight against NTDs through impactful research.

“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,"

John Amuasi

Executive Director, ARNTD

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.

The Global Schistosomiasis Alliance is delighted that five of the nine grant recipients are awarded funding for their work on schistosomiasis.

Research Financing
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Grants recipients for work on schistosomiasis

Estelle Mezajou Mewamba - University of Dschang, Cameroon

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.

Abebaw Tiruneh Asfaw - Jimma University, Ethiopia

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

Ayenew Addisu Melkamu - University of Gondar, Ethiopia

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

Dodzi Amelor - National Public Health Reference Lab, Accra, Ghana

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

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

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