1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa background and history G8/ G20 initiative 2007 - G8-Summit, Heiligendamm Draft concept for Health Research centres in SSA by the German Academy of Sciences „Leopoldina“ 2009 - G8 Summit, l‘Aquila Declaration: „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, Rome DE 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 & 6 but taken up by the German Federal Government as a possible future activity

9. 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)

10. 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“

11. Europe-wide and North America Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa The consultation: Whom we talked to Nationwide Multilaterals Africa-wide

12. 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

13. 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.

14. Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa Attempting a scenario (1) Health research networks – Subsahara- Africa Health Research Education / Training Health care system Capacity building Outreach activities

15. African University Health Research Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa Attempting a scenario (2) - Possible basic elements African Research Center African Hospital German Research Institution Prerequisites: 1.German institutions participate 2.the African Institutions contribute appropriately (money, ressources, administrative requirements) 3.Networks are backed by African Authorities Innovation (scientific, societal, economic)

16. Health research networks in Africa the way forward (as we see it now) 26 Sept 2012: 2 nd 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

17. Thank you very much Questions? detlef.boecking@dlr.de anne.pflug@dlr.de