FIVE AFRICAN WOMEN RECEIVE DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE TAGENDI PROGRAMME

The TAGENDI Programme (TESA Addressing regional gender and diversity gaps in clinical research capacity) is a scholarship funding initiative for women in the clinical research sector, launched in August 2021, where eight African women were selected in a public and international competition (in the Southern African region). The project is currently entering its second phase of implementation and awarding scholarships, under the regional TESA Consortium (Southern African Network of Excellence for Clinical Research), where five more women are joining the project. The first, TAGENDI I, ends in July 2025.

The second, TAGENDI II, which came into force in September 2024, will last for another four years. Its main objective is to strengthen the capacity to train doctoral graduates while promoting gender equity in research. The project is guided by four main objectives:

1.       Improve access and retention of female candidates in doctoral programmes, ensuring successful completion.

2.       Integrate gender equality and inclusion into the consortium agreement, with institutional implementation throughout the network.

3.       Encourage networking and mobility opportunities between doctoral fellows and EDCTP's Networks of Excellence.

4.       Promoting the visibility and dissemination of scholarship activities, while ensuring gender balance in the training programme.

This project is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), using UK Government aid to support global health research, as part of the EDCTP2 programme supported by the European Union. The TAGENDI project seeks to strengthen the female presence in clinical research, promoting greater inclusion and equity in the Southern region.

Among the five beneficiaries selected, out of 19 applicants, is Anete Isabel Mendes Muxanga, a Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM) since 2021 working in the area of Maternal and Child Health (MCH). She recently completed her master's degree in Clinical Research with a Speciality in International Health at the University of Barcelona, Spain, consolidating her academic and scientific career.

Strict and transparent selection

The selected applications were assessed on the basis of merit, through a rigorous and transparent process, which resulted in the award of these four doctoral scholarships and one master's degree.

The grants are aimed at women researchers from African countries that are members of the TESA consortium: South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The project also has the collaboration of European institutions, the Netherlands, Spain and France.

Training will cover core areas of health research, with an emphasis on topics such as epidemic preparedness, health economics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases and COVID-19 research. PhD students who have successfully completed projects funded by the DHSC (UK Department of Health and Social Care) for capacity building in response to disease outbreaks, with a letter of acceptance from the University and ethical approval of their research programme would have an advantage.

To apply for a doctoral scholarship, applicants had to be researchers with at least one published manuscript and a master's degree in a relevant field. In addition, they should citizins of one of those African aforementioned countries or had to be affiliated with a TESA institution or have a guarantee of employment in the same field, demonstrating their intention to continue working in research after training.

“It is undoubtedly an honour to be part of this great programme. This scholarship represents not only an opportunity for my academic growth, but also an important step towards strengthening the female presence in clinical research in Africa. I hope that my trajectory will inspire other women to pursue scientific careers and contribute to the advancement of health on our continent.”

The selection process took place in two stages. In the first, the applications were analysed by independent experts according to uniform criteria established within the TESA network (pre-selection of the best application from each country where the applicant is a member of TESA). In the second phase, the TAGENDI selection committee and the TESA business coordinator evaluated and analysed the finalist applications.

Benefits and expected impact

The selected beneficiaries will be entitled to a monthly stipend, a travel and insurance allowance, coverage of research costs and access to essential equipment. The doctoral scholarships will last 48 months, with the possibility of extension, depending on the results achieved, while the master's scholarships will be awarded for a maximum of two years. In this programme, each doctoral student will act as a mentor to a master's student within the scope of their research project.

Francisco Saúte, the TESA Consortium project Leader, one of the Principal Investigators, emphasizes the importance of the initiative:

“‘Empowering women researchers is not only a matter of equity, but a fundamental strategy for strengthening clinical research in Africa. With the TAGENDI Programme, we aim to reduce gender inequalities, expand opportunities for African women scientists and drive advances in the health sector by strengthening local competencies and promoting diversity and inclusion.”