Glasgow Centre for International Development

Afrique One - African Science Partnership for Intervention Research Excellence (ASPIRE) is the second phase of the Afrique One initiative and is funded by the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science (DELTAS) programme. Afrique One – ASPIRE is a consortium led by seven African institutions, and includes an additional seven African partners and two northern partner institutions, including the University of Glasgow. Afrique One – ASPIRE is focussed on endemic zoonotic diseases (diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans) through capacity building.

The Programme

The programme is significantly expanding research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa through a structured programme of scientific training across five Thematic Training Programmes (TTPs):

• Eliminating canine rabies
• Prevention and control of brucellosis
• Control of mycobacterial infections focussing on zoonotic tuberculosis and Buruli ulcer in humans and livestock
• Food-borne diseases and nutritional illnesses
• Syndromic surveillance-response and integrated One-health systems

The programme has created training and employment opportunities for African scientists and students:

• 18 Masters fellowships 
• 11 PhD fellowships
• 5 Post-Doctoral Research fellowships 

The Afrique One – ASPIRE programme is equipping African scientists with expertise in planning, monitoring  and evaluating interventions through well-implemented One Health research with the aim of tackling zoonoses. Through this programme, we aim to improve human and animal health and well-being, as well as food security.

First published: 4 February 2021