Establishing a Research & Training Hub in Tanzania
Establishing a research administration office in Tanzania and training program hub for sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract
Purpose: Building sustainable transnational collaborations with partners allows for opportunities for training and research capacity building.
Introduction: Leveraging existing partnerships and funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center through the G11 funding mechanism, we aim to develop and implement a collaborative training program to support the establishment of a research administration office at a National Infectious Diseases Institute in Tanzania, an office that will be ready to support others in sub-Saharan Africa. Historically, longstanding partners have primarily collaborated on grants with U.S. or European institutions serving as the lead organizations, perpetuating inequitable research funding distributions. By building research administration capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we seek to facilitate increased south-south collaboration, promote more equitable distribution of resources and funding, and enhance knowledge sharing among researchers and administrators.
Methods: In alignment with the objectives of this grant to establish a research administration office, we have recruited a team of research administration trainees specializing in pre-award, post-award, and finance/compliance activities. To support their development, we implemented a comprehensive training program that includes in-person didactics, virtual webinars, open-source resources, and formal paid certificate programs offered by the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI). Employing an iterative design approach, we are collaborating closely with Principal Investigators (M)PIs), Co-Investigators, and the trainees to continuously refine the training program components, ensuring both efficiency and effectiveness.
The second component of the grant involves trainees collaborating in partnership with institutions and organizations in the Global South to benchmark the training program and provide joint training opportunities. In the second year of the grant, we will focus on disseminating the training program, gathering feedback, refining its content, and sharing resources and materials with other institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to facilitate appropriate cultural adaptations.
Conclusion: Establishing rigorous training for research administration in LMICs is essential for the equitable distribution of research funding. This approach ensures that all countries have access to qualified research administrators who can effectively support global health research initiatives for the benefit of their communities.