The Research Network for Design and Evaluation of Adolescent Health Interventions and Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (DASH), a network of public health research and training institutions from seven Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries (Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda) and Germany invite researchers to submit abstracts for presentations (oral and poster) on a broad range of topics related to adolescent health in sub-Saharan Africa, including; 

• Nutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs); 
• Mental Health, violence, substance use and well-being; 
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights; 
• Social determinants of health. 

Submission is due by 5:00PM CEST on the 27^th of May 2024.

A few selected graduate and postgraduate students will receive a small travel grant based on their selection to present at the conference.

DASH is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as one of the RHISSA (Research Networks for Health Innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa) networks.

For more information about the DASH project and conference, kindly refer to the website; https://www.dash-rhissa.org/

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences & Case Western Reserve University, partnering with Mbarara University of science and Technology are implementing a five-year project, “Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult Ugandans with Epilepsy”.

The program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates with an interest in pursuing clinical and research careers in Epilepsy. We are aiming at growing epilepsy research capacity including self-management approaches in SSA.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Masters Research thesis support focusing on epilepsy related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 1, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

• Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field).
• Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above.
• Demonstrated interest in Epilepsy and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Epilepsy, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad Epilepsy research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Applicants are not limited to these themes; they can propose other areas.

• The epidemiology of Epilepsy and associated risk factors.
• Determining the factors affecting the quality of life, risk factors and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for Epilepsy, epilepsy genetics, and preventive measures among adults.
• Epilepsy in childhood and its associated factors, preventative measures etc.
• Epilepsy epidemiology and other Epilepsy related topics.
• Epilepsy interventions and rehabilitation

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

• Relevance to program objectives
• Quality of research and research project approach
• Feasibility of study
• Mentors and mentoring plan; in your mentoring plan, please include who are the mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
• Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing your project and addressing Self-Management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult or epilepsy related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Administrator, Reducing Epilepsy Burden Project.  Email: smireb2@gmail.com; Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 1^st July 2024.

For more information, inquiries and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Prof. Mark Kaddumukasa:  kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Mbarara University

Ms. Josephine N Najjuma: najjumajosephine@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Research Training and mentorship to strengthen brain health program is a five-year project, funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the Fogarty International Center (FIC). The Major goal is to strengthen brain health research through multidisciplinary training and build a sustainable faculty and institutional capacity for research to improve brain health across the Lifespan in Uganda.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Master’s training support in Brain Health-related research at Makerere University/UMU, 5^th Cohort, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

• Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field at Makerere University/UMU.
• Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above and ready to start their thesis development.
• Proof of admission onto a master’s program at Makerere or UMU
• Research work should be related to their selected research area in brain health
• A letter of support from a mentor and another letter from the department committing to give the candidate protected time to study.
• Demonstrated interest in Brain Health and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Brain Health, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad Brain Health Research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Meningitis, encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, seizures/ epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, Autism, cerebral palsy, mental health disorders, stroke, dementias, Parkinson’s disease and nerve disorders plus “other brain-related topics”

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Implementation science, behavioral sciences research, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, data analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

• Relevance to program objectives
• Quality of research and research project approach
• Feasibility of study
• Mentors and mentoring plan; in your Mentoring plan, please include who are the proposed mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
• Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with a detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or approved full proposal addressing a brain health or neurological disease related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Training Coordinator, Brain Health Project.

Email: brainhealthtraining@gmail.com.

Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 10^th June 2024.

For more information, inquiries and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Prof. Elly Katabira, katabira@infocom.co.ug;

Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa. kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews