Africa is constantly exposed to endemic and pandemic health
challenges, but lacks adequate integrated, collaborative research
to respond to health crises effectively.
Our goal is creating pathways for dignified and fulfilling careers in life science and helping to build and retain a critical mass of high-calibre young scientists on the continent. Ensuring knowledge continuity between generations of researchers will enhance the continent’s resilience to emerging health threats.
The Collaborative supports seven networks of interdisciplinary research excellence known as Epidemic and Pandemic Sciences Innovation and Leadership Networks (EPSILONs), all led by outstanding African Principal Investigators. The EPSILONs will each lead a consortium conducting world-class, locally relevant research to inform public policy and develop solutions that reduce the risks and mitigate the impacts of epidemics and pandemics on the African continent. They will also nurture future generations of African scientists and promote networking and collaborative exchanges among African scientists and their international peers.
At any one time, the African continent experiences 100 or more ongoing disease outbreaks. As Africa undergoes rapid demographic growth, becomes increasingly connected, and faces persistent environmental degradation, the risks of outbreaks and novel disease emergence will likely intensify. Much can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate, prepare for, and prevent these occurrences.