Newly emerging pathogens including bacterial pathogens with emerging resistance to current antimicrobial agents pose a major public health problem globally. There is an urgent need for more trans-disciplinary and trans-sectorial approaches to prioritize and tackle this emerging public health problem.

To step up the fight against newly emerging pathogens and specifically antimicrobial resistance, Institut Mérieux and KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR), have come together to jointly offer awards to young upcoming scientists in Kenya who have a keen research interest in antimicrobial resistance and newly emerging pathogens in general.

Institut Mérieux and KAVI-ICR will allocate a joint Young Investigator Award of € 10,000 in 2020; the laureate will be announced during the Annual University of Nairobi Collaborative meeting scheduled on 27th -31st January 2020 at the Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel in Nairobi.   The award is aimed at supporting clinicians and microbiologists:

• To strengthen their skills in antimicrobial resistance control
• Development of new tools/approaches in controlling antimicrobial resistance
•  Innovations aimed at improving control and reduction of hospital-acquired infections.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Full name of the applicant  and contact information (email address and cellphone number)
• A brief CV (3 pages maximum) detailing the professional history of the applicant, including a list of up to 15 publications.
• Two pages description of research and/or clinical projects the researcher has performed which could be considered for the award. Attach any evidence of the work such as publications.
• A three-page description of ongoing and future research to be  undertaken by the applicant in the field of AMR and/or infectious disease
• A recommendation letter from the mentor where the applicant is working at the time of application.

Selection criteria

• Investigators/applicants are affiliated with the University of Nairobi and its Collaborative Partners
• Serving in a hospital or in a relevant research institution on a full-time basis as infectious disease clinician, clinical or molecular microbiologist or epidemiologist.
• With less than 15 years of clinical practice experience or less than 10 years of working experience after their postgraduate qualification.
• Involved and have made a significant contribution to infectious disease diagnostics, AMR research and/or patient management with a national impact.

Applications should be submitted to the Director of KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, University of Nairobi before 8th December 2019 through this email: award@kaviuon.org