UNZA-Vanderbilt Training Partnership for HIV-NCD Research (UVP-2)

PROJECT ABSTRACT The goals of the parent project UNZA-Vanderbilt Training Partnership for HIV-NCD Research (UVP-2) are to build the University of Zambia (UNZA)’s research capacity by continuing our “sandwich” model of PhD training. We have used a similar model to develop a postdoctoral training program to further strengthen the

pipeline of independent UNZA scientists. With this supplement, we will introduce new training mechanisms and support structures at UNZA and Mulungushi University (MU), through the Zambia Leadership in Research Program (ZAMLead). ZAMLead will enhance and expand prior research training in Zambia by (1)

building critical competencies in leadership and management, strategic partnerships, and policy and advocacy for diverse trainees (students, post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty) with different areas of scientific expertise, and (2) enhancing diverse perspectives in the UVP2 parent grant by including new institutional

partners who are based in underserved, geographically different, and/or rural or semi-urban areas and expand much needed support for future leaders in research at those institutions. The current supplement request responds to NIH’s Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) NOT-TW-24-006 Opportunity Pathways in Global Health Research and Training. There is a pressing need for additional

capacity building for research scientists in Zambia, particularly for under-represented and diverse populations. Leaders at UNZA and the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health (VIGH) have collaborated since 1998 to train Zambian and American scientists to build institutional capacity and develop researcher skills

across numerous grant-funded training programs. However, additional innovative ways to support researchers’ career development and diverse trainees will be crucial to meet the need of building an inclusive national workforce in research in Zambia. After conducting a needs assessment, we propose to develop a

2-month pilot training program in research leadership that leverages past skill-building workshops for Zambian research leaders. This program will include targeted new trainings and expanded structured mentorship opportunities to meet the unique needs of diverse research leaders in various higher education

institutions in Zambia. To accomplish these goals, we aim to (1) Develop a new research leadership training program for diverse Zambian researchers in the country utilizing Community Advisory Boards to bring diverse perspectives to the research enterprise; (2) Implement a pilot ZAMLead Program to train 20 fellows in

leadership and management, strategic partnerships, and policy and advocacy; (3) Use an iterative evaluation model to optimize the sustainability of the training program as a component for facuty and trainee development and (4) Create a strategic plan for scaling the program to other universities across Zambia.

Consistent with the NIH Supplement objectives, the overall goal of this initiative is to bolster professional competencies of investigators in Zambia and the region so that they are well-equipped to initiate and lead research at their local institutions.