Project Launch: Building Capacity for Implementation Science Research in Non-Communicable Diseases (BImS-NCDs)

Mbarara University of Science and Technology in collaboration with Bishop Stuart and Lira Universities in rural Uganda and California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM), Claremont Graduate University and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in the US were awarded the “Building capacity for Implementation Science Research in Non-Communicable Diseases (BImS-NCDs)” grant to create a research training hub at Mbarara University of Science and Technology to strengthen the capacity of health professions training institutions in implementation science with a focus on NCDs (epilepsy, dementia, mental health, and alcohol use disorders) at MUST, BSU and LU.

The project specific aims include:

1. To create a training hub at MUST to support research and research training in implementation science. We will provide research and career development opportunities for participants from MUST, BSU and LU. The priority of the training hub is to provide a solid foundation for the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions, relevant to selected NCD’s across the lifespan.
2. To train clinicians and health professionals in basic epidemiological, prevention, and implementation science skills to conduct research in NCDs across the lifespan in rural Uganda. We will competitively select 6 PhD trainees in: epilepsy (1), dementia (1), mental health (1), and alcohol use disorders (1), and implementation sciences (2), match them to two mentors (Uganda and US) each, provide one-time training support for mentored research, and offer contextualized training in implementation science and selected NCDs, and research capacity.
3. To provide mmentor training for BImS-NCDs mentors. We will hold quarterly workshops to strengthen capacity for the mentors in research training and mentoring.
4. To create a community of practice among the trainees and mentors. We will create a platform for quarterly engagement to provide guidance on priority research areas for implementation science in NCDs, provide ongoing mentoring for the trainees, share best practices and experiences, and dissemination of results. Engaged members will include mentors (MUST, MGH, CUSM, CGU), trainees (MUST, BSU, LU), and the investigators.

By the end of the 5 Years of funding, this grant will have provided foundational expertise for future NCD research and training focused on rural Africa.

Project Number: D43TWO011964 

Multiple Principal Investigators:  Prof. C. Obua & Dr. E. Wakida 

Project duration:  April 2022-March 2027