Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa)

Data Map of Africa

Overview

The NIH Common Fund's Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovations in Africa program will leverage data science technologies and prior NIH investments to develop solutions to the continent's most pressing public health problems through a robust ecosystem of new partners from academic, government, and private sectors. Despite recent progress, Africa carries a disproportionate share of the global burden of disease.

In the next decade, rapid advances in data science are expected to transform biomedical and behavioral research and lead to improved health for individuals and populations. While data science applications are largely undeveloped in Africa, there are opportunities to utilize data science to impact health outcomes on the continent and around the world, including in the United States.

DS-I Africa initiative is mentioned in the White House Fact Sheet on US-Africa Partnership in Health Cooperation 

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Participating NIH Institutes and Centers

Roger Glass, Director, John E. Fogarty International Center

Bruce Tromberg, Director, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

Joshua Gordon, Director, National Institute of Mental Health

Patricia Flatley Brennan, Director, National Library of Medicine

For more information and research funding opportunities, see the Common Fund website.

Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs)

There are currently no funding opportunities.
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Virtual Symposium Platform

The DS-I Africa program hosted an online-only Virtual Symposium Platform in 2020. Tune into the collection of keynote videos from leaders in health and data science and panel discussions about cross-cutting challenges in bioinformatics, COVID-19, and environmental, child, and maternal health as experienced in Africa.

Related News

March 10, 2022
A graphic of red and blue dots attached to red and blue lines.
Scientists have developed a single point-of-care assay that identifies malaria, typhoid—or both simultaneously—in just 15 minutes.
February 9, 2022
The NIH recently invested over $74 million over five years to support 19 DS-I Africa awards that will conduct research and training activities across the continent.
November 19, 2021
Washington University in St. Louis is joining a major international effort to advance data science, catalyze innovation and spur health discoveries across Africa. The program is supported by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Common Fund, which will invest nearly $75 million over five years to fund the Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) program. Source: Washington University in St. Louis
October 26, 2021
researchers in white coats
NIH is investing about $74.5 million over five years to advance data science, catalyze innovation and spur health discoveries across Africa. Under its new Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) program.
August 25, 2020
DEBUT 2020 logo
The winners of National Institutes of Health’s 9th annual Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) challenge developed simple and low-cost diagnostics and treatments for conditions such as tuberculosis, cervical cancer, birth defects, and onchocerciasis (river blindness).