The African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD) is pleased to announce seven recipients of the 2026 African Researchers’ Small Grants Program (SGP VII), an initiative that supports emerging African scientists working to address neglected tropical diseases across the continent.
The Small Grants Program is administered in partnership with the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD). SGP VII awardees are funded by UK International Development from the UK government. Over the years, the Small Grants Program (SGP) has received support from USAID, FCDO, and the Gates Foundation, who together have provided more than $2 million in funding to approximately 80 researchers across more than 16 African countries. Through this investment, the SGP contributes to advance the targets outlined in the World Health Organization’s roadmap, “Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030.”
John Amuasi, Executive Director of ARNTD, indicated, “ARNTD, with its partners, is delighted to offer these seven scientists the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and develop their research and innovation skills towards the vision of ending the neglect of diseases that continue to disproportionately affect the world’s poorest. Research equity is a deliberate effort that needs to be sustained, especially in today’s challenging research funding landscape. ARNTD’s SGP continues to create avenues for the advancement of NTD research.”
Trudi O’Neill, Board Chair of ARNTD, noted, “The African Researchers’ Small Grants Program reflects ARNTD’s long-standing commitment to strengthening African-led research and innovation in neglected tropical diseases. By supporting early and mid-career scientists across the continent, we are investing in the leadership and ideas that will drive sustainable progress toward eliminating NTDs. The diversity and quality of proposals received this year demonstrate both the urgency of these challenges and the commitment from African researchers and their institutions.”
Following the receipt of 553 applications from across 16 countries, 108 were deemed eligible and reviewed. Seven exceptional applicants – of which six are considered early-career awards and one falls in the mid-career award tier – have been selected to implement context-driven initiatives to combat neglected tropical diseases in their communities.
The seven 2026 SGP VII awardees are:
- Dr. Vivian Mushi Philemon: Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania
“Integrating Ivermectin Distribution into Reproductive and Child Health Clinics forWomen of Childbearing Age in Hard-to-Reach Communities of Mahenge, Tanzania: Opportunities, Challenges, and Evidence for Policy Formulation”. Awarded funds: $28,664.04
- Dr. Bashir Ssuna: Makerere University, Uganda
“Developing and Piloting Community-Driven and Evidence-Based Interventions for Schistosomiasis Control among School-going Children in Mayuge District, Uganda: A Participatory Approach Utilizing the EPIS Framework and Behavior Change Wheel”. Awarded funds: $29,999.18
- Fikre Hailekiros H. Gidey: National Podoconiosis Action Network (NaPAN), Ethiopia
“Co-Designing a Service Delivery Model to address barriers to the Uptake of and Adherence to Lymphedema Morbidity Management & Disability Prevention (LMMDP) in Ethiopia”. Awarded funds: $29,850.25
- Dr. André Domche: Translational Research and Development Foundation (TReND), Cameroon
“Challenges and opportunities for integration of community-based vector control (“slash and clear”) as a routine strategy for onchocerciasis elimination”. Awarded funds: $29,281.73
- Abaynesh Bekalu Fentahun: University of Gondar, Ethiopia
“Barriers to Accessing Trachoma Treatment and Capacity Building for Trachoma Surveillance and Control in Amhara Region’s Refugee Population, Ethiopia”. Awarded funds: $28,949.80
- Dr. Yabo Josiane Honkpehedji: Centre de Recherche Médicale de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Gabon
“Integrative approaches for the management of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) during pregnancy”. Awarded funds: $29,989.23
- Dr. Ngozi N. Murphy-Okpala: RedAid Nigeria
“Catalyzing AI4SkinNTDs: Accelerating equitable artificial intelligence (AI) use through participatory co-design of SelfCareQA by persons affected by Skin-NTDs”. Awarded funds: $70,080.00 (mid-career awardee)
Through the Small Grants Program, ARNTD, with funding from UK International Development and supported by COR-NTD, continues to nurture the next generation of African scientists by providing early- and mid-career researchers with the resources, mentorship, and platform needed to generate locally relevant solutions to neglected tropical diseases. For a 10-month period, the selected awardees will implement innovative projects addressing priority NTD challenges, strengthening research capacity, and contributing to evidence-based interventions across the continent.