Supporting Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

an initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Dr. Detlef Böcking

PT-DLR Project Management, Health Research

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Introduction– BMBF activities

• the problem(s)• a bit of history and background information

– G8/G20 process and national policies

• implementation– Goals– Funding– Timelines

1) national funding within the Frame-work Programme for Health Research

e. g. German Malaria Initiative (2001) e. g. Junior Research Groups for

neglected diseases (2009) e. g. project funding initatives for

HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, health care research (ongoing)

e.g. German Centres for Health Research (DZG) with current focus on poverty associated diseases and partner sites in SSA

20 Mio. € / year (estimated)

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

elements in BMBF‘s funding portfolio (I)

2) Contribution to International Activities

2.1) European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership

EDCTP I, 2003 – 2015, total German Co-funding 8 -10 Mio €Germany supports EDCTP II, 2014 – 2020, 25 Mio € envisaged

2.2) Financial contribution to Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) 2011-2015, 20 Mio. €

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

elements in BMBF‘s funding portfolio (II)

3) funding activities of the International bureau of BMBF (health research and

beyond)

• e.g. call on knowledge-based partnerships for sustainable solutions with

Sub-Saharan Africa (health, climate, nutrition)

• e.g. funding of travel and workshops for the preparation of R&D

cooperation projects

• e. g. trilateral DE/FR/AFR research initiatives

• e.g. participation in Network Initiatives between the EU and Africa

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

elements in BMBF‘s funding portfolio (III)

DZGs &

National funding for PRDs & NTDs

Product Development Partnerships

(2011, € 20 Mio)

Health research related projects

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa elements in BMBF‘s funding portfolio

Problems:

(Health) research in Sub-Saharan Africa:• is largely North driven (science, politics, economy charity)• is often not related to academy• is not really seen as a priority by African governments• has many actors but lacks coordination• lacks capacity

The need for more and better (health) research has often been addressed (WHO, G8, etc.)

Until recently, health research for development hasn‘t been an important element of German development aid and/or research policies.

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa background and history

G8/ G20 initiative2007 - G8-Summit, Heiligendamm

Draft concept for Health Research centres in SSA by the German Academy of Sciences „Leopoldina“

2009 - G8 Summit, l‘AquilaDeclaration: „We will also begin to address substantial gaps ….. by developing networks of researchers and by working with our African partners to establish a consortium of interdisciplinary centres of health innovation.“

2009 - Follow-Up, RomeDE represented by BMZ & BMBF

2010 - Follow Up, NIH, Bethesda DE represented by BMBF & Leopoldina

Process not followed up by G8/G20 due to focus on MDGs 5 & 6but taken up by the German Federal Government as a possible future

activity

G8/ G20 initiative

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa background and history

Funding initiative „Strengthening of Health Research in Sub-Saharan Africa by networking, North-South Partnerships and Capacity-Building“

BMBF / Federal Government•Internationalization Strategy (2008) Goal 3: „Intensifying the cooperation with developing countries in education, research and development“ Goal 4: „Assuming international responsibility and mastering global challenges“

•Concept for Africa of the Federal Government (2011) „The German Government will be promoting research networks focusing on diseases of particular relevance to health care policy in Africa, in order to improve existing structures within health care research, training and provision……..“

•Funding concept „neglected and poverty associated diseases“ (2011)

• Financial Volume (envisaged): up to € 10 Mio/ year • Duration (envisaged): 5 years (2014 onward)

Steps so far:Consultational Process• November 8, 2011, Stakeholder Workshop (natl. & intnl.) in Berlin

• February 6, 2012, Round Table of German Funding Institutions, Bonn

• June 25 & 26, 2012, Workshop with African Stakeholders Addis Ababa

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Funding initiative „Strengthening of Health Research in Sub-Saharan Africa by networking, North-South Partnerships and Capacity-Building“

•Europe-wide and North America

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa The consultation: Whom we talked to

• Nationwide

• Multilaterals

• Africa-wide

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa The Consultational Process – major recommendations (1)

• Build partnerships on mutual trust and true sharing of benefits and risks

• Build on existing structures and networks, avoid white elephants

• Research subjects to be defined predominantly by African partners

• Strengthen Research Capacities in Universities• Successful implementation requires early contact to and integration of

responsible authorities (regional, national, district)

•Primary contact must established by researchers

•Existing initiatives, such as COHRED or WHO/TDR may help

•Germany should be committed to direct interaction with African authorities

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Consultational Process – major recommendations (2)

• Consider to put sufficient resources in management capacities (financial, project management)

• Allow for building capacities in documentation (libraries, archives, publication and grant writing skills)

• Training is key! Create career options on the Post-Doc/ junior professorship level

•Welcome explicitly projects dedicated to the operationalization of research results (implementation research, health-systems research, PH in general)

• Don‘t restrict thematic focus too narrowly. Research projects must be in alignment with national/regional research and/or health priorities.

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Attempting a scenario (1)

Health research networks – Subsahara- Africa

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African University

Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa Attempting a scenario (2) - Possible basic elements

AfricanResearch

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African Hospital

GermanResearch Institution

Prerequisites:1. German institutions

participate

2. the African Institutions contribute appropriately (money, ressources, administrative requirements)

3. Networks are backed by African Authorities

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Health research networks in Africa

the way forward (as we see it now)

•26 Sept 2012: 2nd Consultation with German Funding Partners (DAAD, GIZ, DFG) on the possibility of joint actions

•Summer/Autumn 2012: Drafting of a funding concept

•Autumn/Winter 2012: Finalisation of the funding concept

•Winter 2012/2013: Announcement of Call for expressions of interest / partnering event

•Spring 2013: Selection of Applicants for full proposal

•Winter/Spring 2014: Start of funding

Thank you very much

Questions?

detlef.boecking@dlr.de

anne.pflug@dlr.de