Call for Applications for Scholarships

The Makerere University School of Medicine Implementation Science (MAK-ImS) Training program with funding from the United States National Institutes of Health-Fogarty International Center is offering scholarships for PhD, Masters and non-degree fellowship in Implementation Science

MAK-ImS is a collaboration between Makerere University College of Health Sciences and University of California San Francisco in the USA. The goal of this training program is to create sustained growth of an ImS research environment at Makerere University and the application of ImS to bear on HIV research and service delivery on a larger scale.

This call for applications targets; junior and mid-level faculty, graduate trainees in Public Health, Clinical- and Social sciences, researchers and HIV implementers with demonstrated interest in developing generalizable approaches which enhance the uptake of evidence-based healthcare practices to optimize outcomes along the continuum of HIV care.

The program is soliciting applications for research training positions in the following categories;

1. PhD program

2. Master’s degree program in the fields of: (MMed) in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics, Master’s in Public Health (MPH); Master’s in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MSc CEB), Master of Arts in Social Sciences, Economics, Information Technology at Makerere University with demonstrated research experience.

3. Long-term non-degree fellowship program (1-2 years)

PhD training at Makerere University

Eligibility criteria

• Have a Masters’ degree in Medicine, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, Economics & Information Technology or any Biomedical / Health related field.

• Demonstrated interest in research and HIV care and prevention and potential to grow into an independent researcher.

• Has a near completed or completed proposal with a clear ImS component and willing to conduct a rigorously mentored dissertation project in this area as part of the degree program.

• Commitment to develop and maintain a productive career devoted to implementation research on the treatment and prevention of HIV/ AIDS.

• Must be either a junior or mid-level faculty at Makerere University or a staff of an HIV research/ implementing project or working in a relevant program at Makerere University or the Ministry of Health.

• Have clear training timelines, details of the training support needed and justification for the support.

• Ready to undertake training in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a one-year UCSF Online Certificate in Implementation Science.

2. Masters training at Makerere University

Eligibility criteria

• Should be enrolled on any of the following programs; Master’s degree in- Public Health (MPH), Medicine (Internal Medicine or Pediatrics), Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Services Research and Social Sciences.

• Should have a concept or proposal with a clear ImS component and should have completed at least one year of graduate training by August 2021. For MPH-Distance Education course, one must have completed at least two years.

• Demonstrated interest in HIV research, care and prevention.

3. Non-degree fellowship in Implementation Science

This is a 2-year fellowship program targeting junior and mid-level faculty at Makerere University, policy makers, researchers and HIV implementers.

Trainees will undertake courses in Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Implementation science to be equipped with knowledge and skills in ImS research, scientific writing and presentation so as to conduct a mentored HIV research project which must be published in an open access peer-reviewed journal.

Eligibility criteria:

• Having a masters’ degree in any Biomedical /Health or behavioral science related field.

• A good research training and publication background in HIV related field.

• Must have a concept or near completed HIV-related research proposal with an ImS component and willing to conduct a mentored research focused on HIV BSS.

The following are the broad HIV/AIDS Research priority areas (Themes). Applicants are encouraged to develop concepts from these themes.

(a) Research to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS e.g. implementation research on pre-exposure prophylaxis.

(b) Implementation research to ensure initiation of treatment as soon as diagnosis has been made, retention and engagement in these services, and achievement and maintenance of optimal prevention and treatment responses.

(c) HIV-associated comorbidities and co-infections (e. g Cardiovascular, Neurological, Malignancies and TB).

NB: All trainees must complete trainings in; Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), Protection of Human Research Participants (PHRP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) before conducting research involving human subjects.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Application letters should be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vita, copies of academic credentials, recommendation letters from two professional references or mentors experienced in HIV research, Personal Development Plan (Fellowship only), proof of admission at Makerere University (Master’s) and a Concept/ proposal of your proposed ImS HIV research project. The letters should be addressed to the Training Coordinator, Mak-ImS Project and sent to;

Email: ims.chs@mak.ac.ug

Submit applications Before: Friday, 23rd JULY, 2021