Gilead Infectious Disease Scholarship Program
Developing African Medical Leadership
The Gilead Infectious Disease Scholarship Program is designed to transition the brightest young African clinicians and scholars into internationally recognized, independent investigators. . The program provides protected research time, a supportive research environment, access to IDI’s considerable resources, and intensive mentoring opportunities, enabling ambitious candidates at various stages of their career to succeed to degrees not often possible in resource-limited settings.
A Focus on Postdoctoral Researchers
With an emerging cohort of young African investigators in the fields of infectious disease, the lack of resources to help these individuals make the transition from trainee researcher to career, academic researcher has become a constraint. Postdoctoral investigators frequently struggle to find adequate time, support, and sponsorship to focus their research and develop a focused expertise. Recognizing these needs, the Sewankambo Program focuses on supporting postdoctoral researchers who have proven potential to successfully transition into long-term research careers. The program couples outstanding African clinicians and researchers with at least one internationally-recognized investigator who commits to providing five years of substantive, on-going mentorship.
The Sewankambo Postdoctoral Fellowship Program cultivates medical investigators with a good research track record and publications in peer-reviewed journals and provides intensive, personalized, and multi-disciplinary support to develop their skills in designing a study, writing proposals, and managing funding and study activities. Grants managers help the Fellows develop a long-term plan for their research careers and support them to find funded opportunities that fit into their plans. With mentorship being a key aspect of the program, the Fellows are paired with clinical research experts in their area of interest within IDI or Makerere University, and with an international mentor, with whom they develop a long-term professional relationship.
Masters in Medicine Fellowship
The Masters in Medicine Fellowship supports students in their post-graduate medical training. Currently the Masters in Medicine Fellowship provides Ugandan medical students enrolled in the Makerere University Masters in Medical (MMed) Training program a well-rounded education that explores the complexities and challenges associated with HIV/AIDS and other infectious disease and in Africa. Fellows enrolled in this program receive tuition support to enable them to pursue their interest in an infectious disease focus, and spend time working and studying in IDI’s clinic. In addition, it serves to screen potential candidates for more advanced fellowship and scholarship program opportunities.
