The research capacity network is an online digital platform hosted and coordinated by The Global Health Network at the University of Oxford and The University of Yaoundé (UNIYA) across the ALERRT consortia. The aim is to develop a network of research sites and build strong partnerships between all the research sites running (Re-)emerging and Epidemic-Prone Infectious Diseases (REPID)studies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) so that they can work together and develop a sustainable platform for research that can respond effectively to future outbreaks.

This regionally led network needs to be equipped with the knowledge, methods, skills and capabilities to support a high quality, rapid and coherent research response to outbreaks in the short term. In addition, this network sets out to establish lasting capacity to conduct research in the event of emerging infectious disease outbreaks in SSA in the long-term. To do so, we must first ascertain through a Knowledge Gap Analysis, the key gaps in clinical/health and laboratory research capacity in SSA, and then determine how best to fill these gaps through training and other capacity building activities.