Call for Applications AMANET Workshop, 07/04

AMANET workshop on proposing and reporting on intervention trials for African researchers

12-16 July, 2004
Arusha, Tanzania

Background and justification

Much intervention research has been conducted with Africa, but very little of it originates from African researchers. Part of the reason is that many African researchers have not been suffi- ciently involved in setting research agenda and research plans; they also have not been engaged in writing competitive research funding proposals for the intervention trials. The failure to originate and obtain funding for research tends to set a vicious circle as funders will generally prefer to finance investigators and institutions with a good track record of handling trial funds, conducting the research appropriately, and producing ac- ceptable financial and technical reports. In this regard, most African scientists will perpetually only participate in trials as co-investigators owing to the lack of the required experi- ence.

AMANET, in its quest to level the playing field in favour of Af- rican malaria researchers is now announcing this call for inter- ested research scientists who wish to be equipped with further knowledge and skills in proposing and reporting on intervention trials. The rationale being the need to empower African scien- tists so that they are able to participate in setting the re- search agenda for their institutions and communities by propos- ing trials that are scientifically relevant to their local situation and are able to compete for funding. The format for this workshop consists of formal lecture type presentations, group work/discussions and practical work for each participant to develop a proposal. The highlights to be covered among other relevant subjects include the following:

• Setting research priorities and research agenda
• What are funders interested in?
• Scientific question: setting the hypothesis and testing it
• Obtaining background information and literature search
• GCP requirements in intervention trials
• Study design: primary and secondary end points and methodology
• Statistical considerations and sample size calculations
• The role of randomisation and blind coding
• Planning patient enrolment, treatments and follow up
• Protocol preparation for adverse events
• Activity flow charts
• Proposal budgets and justification
• Ethical considerations in a proposal
• Report analytical plans: interim analyses and final analysis
• Writing the final trial report
• CONSORT publishing guidelines
• Dissemination of results
• Potential funding sources and their requirements
• Financial reporting

This workshop aims at offering the participants both the theo- retical knowledge and practical experience in writing a pro- posal. Participants will therefore be required to come with their ideas for a proposal which will be developed during the workshop. Experienced facilitators will handle the various sub- jects and will walk the participants through their proposals to ensure practical learning.

Venue
Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania.

Who can apply
Middle or senior level physicians and researchers directly in- volved in the conduct of malaria related studies or trials from African institutions. These need to have their idea of an inter- vention trial they wish to propose.

Timing
The workshop is intended to take five full days scheduled for 12-16 July 2004.

How to apply
Interested persons should submit a complete application, which must include the following:

1. One paged Bio sketch
2. A 1-page summary of the malaria related intervention trial proposal you wish to develop (not more than 100 words);
3. Names and addresses of two referees (including their tele- phone numbers and email contacts), who you have requested to provide letters of recommendation, to be sent directly to the address below.

Applications must be received by Friday 11 June, 2004.

Sponsorship
Selected applicants will be awarded an AMANET sponsorship, which will cover economy class airfares, tuition, ground transport in Tanzania, and full board. AMANET will not meet any visas or transit costs.

Applications preferably sent by e-mail must be directed to:

The Managing Trustee
AMANET, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology Building Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road
P O Box 33207, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: +255-22-2700-018

Fax: +255-22-2700-380
mailto:info@amanet-trust.org
mailto:wlkilama@amanet-trust.org
http://www.amanet-trust.org

Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.