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About

About EACCR4

An Eastern Africa-led network for clinical research

The Eastern Africa Consortium for Clinical Research (EACCR) has been building clinical research capacity in the region since 2009. In its fourth phase, EACCR4 aims to be the leading network with comprehensive clinical research ecosystem capabilities, in response to poverty-related diseases, epidemics and outbreaks in Eastern Africa.

EACCR4 brings together 22 partners from 13 countries, 11 of them new to the network. Seven of the countries are in Africa, with DRC, Somalia and Zambia joining as new members. Our strategy is to build capacity for ICH-GCP research by pairing centres of excellence with institutions that have less capacity, with a special focus on epidemics and outbreaks.

Download the brochure Meet the partners

Dr. Bernard Kikaire
Dr. Bernard KikaireOverall Scientific Project Lead, EACCR4
  • 2009Year the network was established
  • 22Partner institutions
  • 13Countries
  • 7African countries, including new members DRC, Somalia and Zambia
  • 21Work packages
  • 48Months of activity

Our Objectives

Capacity Building

To strengthen collaboration and optimize the use of shared research infrastructures, capacity building resources and opportunities, so that partner institutions across the region can conduct high quality clinical research together.

Promoting Research

To increase the number and retention of independent African researchers, research leaders and managers, by creating opportunities for them to grow, lead studies and build lasting careers in the region.

Training & Mentorship

To boost and deliver an Eastern Africa training and mentorship program that equips early career and established researchers with the skills needed to design, conduct and manage high quality clinical studies.

Clinical Trials

To establish new work packages (NID) that manage and set up the facilities needed to conduct clinical trials on the neglected, emerging and re-emerging diseases that burden the region.

Supporting Institutions

To strengthen and strategically expand South-South and North-South collaborations between researchers and institutions, with a focus on helping less established institutions build capacity for high quality clinical research across the region.

Networking & Dialogue

To promote networking and dialogue between researchers, communities and policy makers, so that health research evidence is used for shared knowledge management, policy change and better health programming in Eastern Africa.

Our 21 work packages, in twelve areas

EACCR4 works through 21 work packages over 48 months. Many run in phases (I, II, III), so they are grouped here by area. Each bar shows when a work package is active.

WP1 to WP2

HIV and TB clinical trial capacity

Expands HIV and TB clinical trial units across seven countries, strengthens drug-resistance surveillance and diagnostics, and trains a new generation of African research leaders.

WP1Active in months 1 to 18M1-18
WP2Active in months 19 to 36M19-36

Lead: NIMR, Tanzania

WP3 to WP4

Malaria

Builds a regional laboratory network for malaria surveillance and clinical trials, trains and mentors researchers, and turns evidence into policy.

WP3Active in months 1 to 18M1-18
WP4Active in months 19 to 36M19-36

Lead: KEMRI, Kenya

WP5 to WP6

Neglected tropical diseases

Strengthens diagnostics for priority NTDs, maps hotspots for schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, dengue and chikungunya, and builds regional expertise.

WP5Active in months 1 to 18M1-18
WP6Active in months 19 to 36M19-36

Lead: KEMRI, Kenya

WP7

Ethics and regulatory support

Supports ethics committees and regulators and trains researchers in research ethics, including during outbreaks.

WP7Active in months 1 to 24M1-24

Lead: University of Oslo

WP8

Statistics and data management

Standardised data systems, statistics training and a Data Management and Statistics Coordinating Center for the whole network.

WP8Active in months 1 to 24M1-24

Lead: UNHRO, Uganda

WP9 to WP11

Training, mentorship and research leadership

Short courses, MSc and PhD training, certification of clinical research associates, a leadership programme and an alumni network.

WP9Active in months 1 to 18M1-18
WP10Active in months 19 to 36M19-36
WP11Active in months 12 to 48M12-48

Lead: GSF-KCMC, Tanzania

WP12 to WP13

Epidemic research and surveillance

Training, adaptable protocols and exchanges that prepare the network for outbreaks of high-consequence and emerging infectious diseases.

WP12Active in months 1 to 18M1-18
WP13Active in months 19 to 36M19-36

Lead: RBC, Rwanda

WP14 to WP15

Mobile laboratory network

Extends a harmonised mobile laboratory network to Zambia and DRC, with field-deployable sequencing for outbreak diagnostics and trials.

WP14Active in months 1 to 18M1-18
WP15Active in months 19 to 36M19-36

Lead: BNITM, Germany

WP16 to WP18

Scientific leadership

Governance, quality assurance, annual general meetings, the monitoring dashboard and the plan for sustaining the network.

WP16Active in months 1 to 18M1-18
WP17Active in months 19 to 36M19-36
WP18Active in months 12 to 48M12-48

Lead: UNHRO, Uganda

WP19

Dissemination, outreach and community engagement

Takes evidence to policy-makers, health authorities and communities, with symposia, webinars and an open communication plan.

WP19Active in months 1 to 48M1-48

Lead: UNHRO, Uganda

WP20

Project management and monitoring

Coordinates the consortium, manages reporting to the funder and keeps work packages on schedule.

WP20Active in months 1 to 48M1-48

Lead: EDCTP Association

WP21

Grant writing, health research systems and site visits

Grant-writing workshops, national health research system assessments and technical site visits.

WP21Active in months 1 to 48M1-48

Lead: EDCTP Association

See all work packages

22 partners, 13 countries

The network is coordinated by the EDCTP Association. Partners from Africa and Europe work side by side, and each work package is led by one partner with a co-lead.

Based in Africa (12)

  • KEMRI Kenya
  • IAVI Africa Kenya
  • NIMR Tanzania
  • GSF-KCMC Tanzania
  • UoR Rwanda
  • RBC Rwanda
  • UNHRO Uganda
  • IDI Uganda
  • MLI Uganda
  • UCB DR Congo
  • UNZA Zambia
  • NIH-Somalia Somalia

Based in Europe (10)

  • LSHTM UK
  • UOXF UK
  • USTAN UK
  • AREF UK
  • AIGHD Netherlands
  • KI Sweden
  • UCPH Denmark
  • UiO Norway
  • BNITM Germany
  • Charité Germany

See all partners

Work with the network

Look for open calls for proposals and careers, or contact the EACCR Secretariat at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe.

Call for proposals Careers Contact us