EDCTP 2023 Prizes: Call for nominations - deadline of 31 May 2023 at 17:00 CEST
Every two years, EDCTP awards four
prestigious international prizes to recognise outstanding individuals and
research teams from Africa and Europe who have made significant achievements in
their research field. A call for nominations with a deadline of 31 May
2023 at 17:00 CEST is open for the following prizes, which will be
awarded at the Eleventh EDCTP Forum:
The Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize, named after EDCTP’s first High
Representative, is awarded to senior scientists, policy-makers or advocates for
health and research, from anywhere in the world.
The prize consists of a recognition
trophy and a cash prize of €50,000.
“I was truly humbled to receive the 2020 Pascoal
Mocumbi Prize which I attributed to the hard work of teams and collaborators
across continents. Winning the most prestigious EDCTP award gave my teams and
collaborators immense pleasure and pride that our work was valued. It also
enhanced my teams’ international profile and respect, and boosted morale and
motivation, upholding our African-led south-south and south-north R&D
partnerships at the highest level. This has attracted more talent and international
collaborators with a multiplier effect.” – Professor Sir Alimuddin
Zumla (Zambia/UK), winner of the 2020 Dr Pascoal Mocumbi prize
Watch the prize video: https://youtu.be/MI-TbynM9Po
Outstanding
Female Scientist Prize
The Outstanding Female Scientist Prize
is awarded to world-leading female scientists in sub-Saharan Africa working on
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected infectious diseases.
The prize consists of a recognition trophy and a cash
prize of €20,000.
“Winning this prestigious prize drew the attention of the international
community and local organizations to my research and capacity-building effort.
It attracted media attention in Ghana. The task forces and committees I served
on made it a point to highlight the award and in recent times I have received
several requests to serve on or chair a number of boards and committees. I am
indeed grateful to EDCTP for the award and the exposure it has given me and to
my colleagues who saw the potential in me and nominated me for the prize. I
sure do feel like a star.” – Professor Margaret Gyapong, winner of the EDCTP
2020 Outstanding Female Scientist Prize
Watch the prize video: https://youtu.be/zcBCDrQGOaM
The Scientific Leadership Prize is
awarded to excellent world-class scientists in sub-Saharan Africa up to 50
years of age working on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected
infectious diseases.
The
prize consists of a recognition trophy and a cash prize of €10,000.
“It was a real honour to be awarded the EDCTP Scientific Leadership Prize
for 2020. The prize was a recognition of the hard work and dedication of each
of the members of our research group and their contributions. The prize
provided me with a unique opportunity to support the ongoing work of an
emerging clinician scientist within our group who is investigating the
pathogenesis of severe HIV-associated TB. I strongly encourage eligible
colleagues to consider applying for this award in 2023.” – Prof. Graeme
Meintjes, winner of the EDCTP 2020 Scientific Leadership Prize
Watch the prize video: https://youtu.be/UfuYgKgM0xk
Outstanding
Research Team Prize
The Outstanding Research Team Prize is
awarded to outstanding research teams in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe working
on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected infectious diseases.
The prize consists of a recognition
trophy and a cash prize of €50,000.
“The
prize was awarded to a multinational consortium of which the members have been
working together for more than 10 years. It gave recognition not only to the
lead institution or investigator, but to all staff members from all
participating African and European partners. Such recognition is not given
often enough but is very important to motivate and acknowledge the essential
and high-level work performed by staff of all levels at each site.”- Prof. Gerhard Walzl, on
behalf of the AE-TBC Consortium (winners of the 2020 Outstanding Research Team
Prize)
Watch
the prize video: https://youtu.be/Acm8GW4sw8M
Articles
Prof. George Boateng Kyei: Advancing Hiv Research In Africa
In his EDCTP-GSK Senior Fellowship, Professor George Boateng Kyei of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, has not only advanced the search for an HIV cure but also strengthened research capacity across Ghana and the broader African region.
Addressing HIV persistence
HIV remains a pressing public health issue in Africa, with persistent challenges hindering the quest for a cure. This fellowship project focused on one such challenge: the virus’s ability to remain dormant within resting CD4+ T cells, even among individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). By exploring the innovative “shock and kill” approach, the research aimed to reactivate latent HIV and target infected cells for destruction. A notable scientific achievement was the identification and confirmation of three novel epigenetic compounds capable of reactivating latent HIV from virologically suppressed individuals. These findings pave the way for future studies in animal models, with the potential to transition into clinical trials aiming at finding a cure for HIV.
Strengthening research infrastructure
The establishment of a drug screening platform at the University of Ghana stands out as a long-term asset for HIV drug discovery and cure research. Additionally, the project introduced regular viral load monitoring for a substantial cohort of patients—an essential practice previously not standard in Ghana. The data generated from this monitoring has been instrumental in shaping national HIV treatment policies and improving patient care.
Furthermore, the project developed a biobank and a well-characterised cohort of HIV-infected adults, providing invaluable resources for ongoing and future HIV cure research. Insights gathered from patients regarding their perceptions of HIV cure research will inform the design and conduct of subsequent studies in Ghana and across Africa.
Training the next generation of researchers
The impact of the fellowship extends beyond laboratory accomplishments; it has significantly influenced research training and career development. The fellowship helped nurture the growth of junior scientists, many of whom have evolved into independent research leaders, securing competitive grants and fellowships, such as the IAS Research-for-Cure Academy and NIH R21. They have presented their findings at prestigious international conferences, including the African Virology Congress and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).
Post-doctoral fellows have notably received fellowships from esteemed international programmes, such as the Science by Women Fellowship and the NIH CFAR Africure award, showcasing their growing prominence in the research community.
Recognition and awards
Professor Kyei’s mentorship has not gone unnoticed; in April 2024, he received special recognition from the University of Ghana’s Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) for his outstanding mentorship of female academics—an honour highlighted by nominations from his own mentees. The project also celebrated the achievements of its team members, with one post-doc winning Best Senior Research Fellow at the 2024 NMIMR Awards and research assistants earning accolades at the 2024 African Virologist Conference.
Professor Kyei’s research has led to significant international visibility, with his team members winning travel awards to attend prestigious conferences, including the Keystone Symposium and the African Virology Congress. These opportunities have allowed them to present their findings and collaborate with global experts in the field.
Expanding horizons
The EDCTP-GSK Senior Fellowship grant has facilitated the groundwork for additional projects, including a newly awarded Fogarty grant aimed at enhancing HIV basic science and cure research training at the University of Ghana. This grant will train 17 researchers over the next 5 years, further strengthening the research landscape in Ghana.
As the team looks to the future, plans are in place to expand research into HIV reservoir characteristics among virologically suppressed patients across Ghana. This extension not only continues the momentum generated by the EDCTP grant, but also reinforces Ghana’s position as a leader in HIV cure research in Africa and contributes to the global effort to eradicate HIV.
Save The Date! Communications Workshop At The Edctp 2025 Forum
Dear Colleague,
Are you attending the EDCTP 2025 forum in Kigali (Rwanda)?
Don't miss the Communications workshop on Thursday 19 June (15:30 - 17:30 Rwanda time) in room MH3.
The topic of the workshop will be: "From good to great: Mastering communication skills for impactful science
Best,
The EDCTP team.
Call For Proposals: Panel Sessions At Science Forum South Africa 2025
Dear Stakeholder
Science Forum South Africa 2025 (SFSA 2025) will take place from 24 to 28 November 2025 at the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) in Pretoria, South Africa. This year marks the tenth edition of SFSA, celebrating a decade of igniting vibrant discussions on the role of science in society. The Forum brings together stakeholders from the scientific community, government, industry, and civil society.
We are pleased to invite proposals from individuals and institutions to convene panel sessions as part of the SFSA 2025 programme. These sessions should align with the Forum's theme and sub-themes, and provide an opportunity to engage diverse perspectives in critical conversations.
FORUM THEME
Igniting Conversations: Placing Science, Technology, and Innovation at the Centre of Government, Education, Society, and Industry
SUB-THEMES
- Financing for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
- Science and Society Nexus (Agriculture, Health, Climate Change, Just Energy Transition)
- Building Research Capabilities for Africa (STISA 2024)
- The Role of Science Diplomacy
- Emerging Industry – The Role of Disruptive Technologies
- Science Journalism and Science Communication
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
HOW TO SUBMIT
The deadline for proposal submissions is 21 July 2025.
SFSA 2025 is proudly co-hosted by the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) initiative.
We look forward to your participation in shaping the dialogue at SFSA 2025.
Best regards
The SFSA 2025 Organising Committee