About EpiScientia
An EDCTP3-funded training network strengthening infectious disease surveillance intelligence across Africa through work-based learning embedded within National Public Health Institutes.
Empowering NPHIs Through Training and Technology
EpiScientia addresses the critical skills gap in African National Public Health Institutes by providing advanced training in health informatics and data science. Our mission is to build a sustainable workforce capable of transforming health data into actionable intelligence for infectious disease prevention and control.
Through a unique work-based learning approach, trainees remain embedded in their NPHIs while developing expertise in biostatistics, machine learning, and real-world evidence analytics – directly applicable to their daily work in disease surveillance.
A Connected, Data-Driven African Health Ecosystem
We envision a network of NPHIs equipped with highly skilled professionals and interoperable health data systems, enabling real-time disease surveillance and evidence-based public health decision-making across the continent.
Project Objectives
Four interconnected objectives driving our 60-month programme
Create a coordinated, multi-institutional training network across African NPHIs and European academic partners.
Develop 37 skilled professionals in infectious disease data modelling through MSc and certification programmes.
Deploy federated health data platforms enabling privacy-preserving analytics across participating NPHIs.
Convert research findings into actionable policy briefs supporting public health decision-making.
Work Packages
15 interconnected packages delivering project objectives
Project Management and Monitoring
Lead: EDCTP Association
Foundational Scientific Leadership
Lead: UR/ACE-DS
Operational Scientific Leadership
Lead: UR/ACE-DS
Integrative Scientific Leadership
Lead: UR/ACE-DS
Continuity & Knowledge Valorisation Scientific Leadership
Lead: UR/ACE-DS
Training & Competencies Transfer – MSc
Lead: UR/ACE-DS
Training & Competencies Transfer – Certificate
Lead: UR/ACE-DS
Rwanda Scalable Prototype Health Data Node Set-Up
Lead: Heritage R&D RW
NPHIs Health Data Node Assessment for Readiness
Lead: Heritage Alliance BE
NPHIs Health Data Nodes Deployment & Integration in the Federated Network
Lead: Heritage Alliance BE
Synthetic Health Data Infrastructure & Modelling Capacity
Lead: IDIAP Jordi Gol
Operational Needs Assessment for Enhancing Infectious Disease Research and Innovation Capacity within NPHIs
Lead: Heritage Alliance BE
Needs-Driven Alignment of Infectious Disease Research and Innovation-Based Learning within NPHIs
Lead: LSHTM
Oversight on Regulatory & Ethics
Lead: EPHI
Dissemination, Communication, Exploitation & Impact
Lead: RBC
Strategic Sustainability Planning
Lead: IRSP-CAQ
Consortium Partners
12 institutions across Europe and Africa
EDCTP Association
Netherlands
University of Rwanda (ACE-DS)
Rwanda
Heritage Alliance Ltd
Belgium
Africa CDC
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI)
Ethiopia
Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC)
Rwanda