AFRI-HIGH IRI

Goal of AFRI-HIGH IRI

Afri-HIGH IRI seeks to foster a vibrant, equitable, global network of scientists, researchers, program implementers, and policymakers to advance the development and deployment of implementation science to improve the health of populations in Low-and-middle income countries. The program seeks to grow the global scientific community engaged in dissemination and implementation research addressing HIV, infectious diseases, and related
conditions so that we can find novel solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing the population within Africa.

Because implementation research is a relatively new field, investigators seeking to grow in this area may not have a critical mass of mentorship or peer support in their home institutions. Afri-HIGH IRI seeks to fill this gap.

Benefits of the AFRI-HIGH IRI Fellowship

The Afri-HIGH IRI Fellowship offers three key benefits:

  1. Training: One week of intensive training in each of the two years. This will provide rigorous, up-to-date concepts in implementation research, equipping trainees with knowledge directly applicable to research projects and grant applications.
  2. Mentoring: Fellows will develop mentoring relationships with Afri-HIGH IRI faculty, enhancing their professional network and receiving expert guidance to complement existing mentoring resources.
  3. Networking, Partnerships and Collaborations: Participation will foster long-lasting relationships that support professional growth and development beyond the time of program enrollment.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Resident in Africa; and
  • Interest in Implementation Science Research in HIV, Infectious Diseases and related conditions; or
  • Demonstrated commitment to implementation research as part of their career development; or
  • Willing to be an effective champion for implementation research in the applied scientific field of infectious diseases;
  • Early- or mid-career academic scholars including Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Associate Professors, Faculty, Researchers; or
  • Program implementers in the Governmental agencies or Departments such as the Ministry of Health, Social Development, Education, etc., and the non-governmental sector in HIV and Infectious Diseases programs and management.

About the Fellowship

  • Number of Awards: 6 awards respectively for the UKZN and UNZA Afri-HIGH IRI hubs.
  • Duration: Two years
  • Fellows will be accepted from all regions in Africa but assigned to the nearest hub in their region for the duration of the fellowship
  • This program does not offer a salary or seed funding to trainees. Fellows will receive training and mentoring in Implementation Science, build a community of practice, and establish a valuable global network.
  • Fellows are expected to attend a one-week in-person intensive training each year. Year 1 will be held from the 3rd March – 7th March 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. Travel and accommodation will be covered for the training.
  • Mentoring – fellows will be expected to attend regular mentor meetings with assigned faculty (at least twice a year) and regular pod meetings with at least two other fellow trainees.
  • Please note: This is not a doctoral or post-doctoral fellowship program and it does not confer an appointment or position with the hub universities.

Expectation of Fellows

  • Completion of the in-person intensive training in years 1 and 2. The travel and accommodation for the training will be covered by the fellowship.
  • Participation in mentorship pod meetings with fellow trainees.
  • Attendance at biannual meetings with the assigned faculty mentor.
  • Conducting a before-and-after self-rated competency assessment.
  • Submission of quarterly progress reports to the hub team.
  • Submission of a grant proposal or a manuscript from the implementation science project that you are currently involved in, or will be embarking on during your fellowship.
  • Commitment to mentoring emerging implementation scientists in your institution upon completion of the fellowship.

Please visit our Application Package page for more information on how to apply!

Application Package Information

Leadership

Mosa Moshabela, MD, PhD, Director of the University of KwaZulu-Natal hub
Hikabasa Halwiindi, MD, PhD, Director of the University of Zambia hub
Elvin Geng, MD, PhD, Director of the Washington University St Louis hub
Ross Brownson, PhD, Co-director of the Washington University St Louis hub

For more information, please contact Dr. Nisha Nadesan-Reddy (Nadesanreddy@ukzn.ac.za) and Jamie Macon (j.macon@wustl.edu).