News & Updates

July 2025 Edition, Issue 91

Welcome to another edition of the CARTA monthly updates. Read on to keep abreast with what is new.

Call for Applications: CARTA PhD Fellowships 2026

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the CARTA PhD Fellowships 2026!

The fellowship supports early-career African researchers in the broad fields of public and population health. Targeting junior faculty in CARTA African partner institutions, it equips the fellows with advanced research skills, mentorship, and resources to conduct world-class, multidisciplinary research, while remaining based at their home institutions. Successful applicants will commence the program in March 2026. 

What the fellowship offers

• Structured PhD training and mentorship
• A modest stipend for 28 months
• Research funds of up to US dollars 10,500
• A laptop to support your work

Eligibility

• Bona fide teaching or research staff at a CARTA African partner institution
• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Early-stage PhD or planning to register
• Men under 40 years; women under 45 years

CARTA at the DELTAS Africa Scientific Meeting

CARTA participated in the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training, and Science in Africa (DELTAS Africa) Scientific Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 28 - 30, 2025.

The event brought together Africa’s leading scientists and stakeholders to advance scientific research and celebrate a decade of transformative impact through the DELTAS Africa program.

At the event, CARTA Co-director, Sharon Fonn, presented a progress report on CARTA’s implementation of DELTAS Africa II activities. She highlighted how the USD 4.4 million grant awarded to CARTA in 2023 is supporting research capacity strengthening initiatives across CARTA’s African partner universities and research institutions. Sharon also participated in a panel discussion on "Strengthening the Roots: Building Supportive Research Environments in African Institutions," where she emphasized CARTA’s practical approach to institutionalization. She highlighted how CARTA’s model promotes working with both university leadership and staff to strengthen the professional and administrative teams. By promoting shared responsibility and leadership at all levels, CARTA helps build a strong, sustainable culture of research support within institutions.

Two CARTA fellows presented their PhD research work at the meeting alongside researchers from DELTAS Africa II Consortia:

• James Kang’ethe demonstrated how co-infection with Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) affects the persistence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in women living with HIV. His research highlights the added risk of cervical health problems and the need for better screening and care.
• Blessings Kaunda showcased her research work on the role of rural community gardens in enhancing household well-being in South Africa’s Amathole Basin. The study found that the gardens improve nutrition, resilience, and social cohesion but are constrained by limited land access, water scarcity, and reliable energy sources. Recommendations include empowering communities and youth and leveraging gardens as entry points for sustainable local development.

Rose Opiyo’s Community and Public Engagement (CPE) project, ‘‘Co-Creation of local food-based renal diet recipes for people living with Chronic Kidney Disease in Kenya, " was also featured at the meeting. Her project centers on engaging communities in co-creating local, culturally appropriate renal diet recipes for people living with chronic kidney disease in Kenya. By involving patients, caregivers, and local stakeholders, the project fosters shared ownership and understanding of dietary needs, making nutrition guidance more relatable, acceptable, and sustainable in both urban and rural Kenyan settings.

Alongside the scientific sessions, the meeting featured the DELTAS Africa directors' meeting, a risk management workshop, program managers' forum, finance training, and a science communication session. CARTA's Marta Vicente-Crespo (Program Manager), Cavens Kithinji (Program Coordinator), Janet Moraa (Assistant Finance Manager), and Gerald Omumbo (Communications Officer) participated in the respective sessions.

Exploring Collaboration with UNESCO to Advance Research and Doctoral Training in Africa

On July 3, 2025, CARTA Co-director Sharon Fonn met with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ambassadors and technical experts at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Florah Karimi, Head of Research and Related Capacity Strengthening at African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), also participated virtually.

The meeting was convened in response to growing interest by UNESCO in understanding the state of research and doctoral training across Africa, with particular attention to the quality assurance of transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs. Sharon shared CARTA’s experience in institutionalizing doctoral training by embedding it within partner universities and research institutions, creating sustainable environments where research and researchers can thrive.



Key outcomes from the engagement included the potential for collaboration with UNESCO in supporting research capacity strengthening in Africa, as well as plans to convene like-minded consortia focused on institutional development and doctoral education. More specifically, there was a consideration for UNESCO to participate in the CARTA Partners Forum in September 2025 and for the CARTA team to participate in the UNESCO Addis Convention on Higher Education, all with the aim of forging deeper relations towards strengthening higher education and research within the African region. There was also interest from the UNESCO team for CARTA’s model to be scaled beyond Anglophone and sub-Saharan Africa to the Francophone, Lusophone, and North African regions.

Enhancing Doctoral Supervision at Makerere

The Directorate of Graduate Training at Makerere University, in partnership with CARTA’s Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Research Hub and the East–Spark Project, conducted two capacity-building sessions in July 2025.



On July 2–3, the Directorate hosted an Academic Supervision Training for PhD supervisors. The sessions strengthened supervisors’ ability to provide high-quality, timely, and supportive guidance to doctoral candidates. Topics included effective supervision principles, managing supervisor–student relationships, supporting timely completion, ethical research practices, and navigating institutional processes.

On July 16–18, the Directorate conducted Training of Trainers in Advanced Research Methods for lecturers. The training equipped participants to cascade advanced research skills to colleagues and students in their respective colleges and schools.



Both training sessions targeted staff from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), College of Education and External Studies (CEES), College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB).

The training sessions are part of Makerere’s efforts to improve the quality of postgraduate studies in line with Uganda's national higher education policy. They also align with CARTA’s broader goal of sustainably strengthening research environments at partner institutions by institutionalizing its proven doctoral training interventions across the wider academic communities of the institutions. The training sessions were spearheaded by CARTA graduates and Makerere faculty members  Kato Drago (lead of the TERID research hub) and Stephen Wandera. Their leadership highlights the growing role of CARTA graduates in advancing institutional change and capacity strengthening within their home institutions.

Oluwatosin Eunice Olorunmoteni, cohort 10, graduated with a PhD in Physiology on July 14, 2025, from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Alice Muhayimana, cohort 10, University of Rwanda, has distilled the findings from her mixed‑methods study into a policy brief, ‘‘Sustaining Respectful Maternity Care in Health Facilities of Rwanda.’’ The brief presents five key strategies for sustaining respectful maternity care: strengthening women-centred care, ensuring privacy and dignified treatment during childbirth, professional and ethical conduct, strengthening supportive leadership to sustain RMC, and fostering community trust. These strategies were identified through appreciative inquiry in five hospitals across Rwanda’s Eastern Province. It calls for integrating respectful maternity care into national health policies and facility guidelines. The brief urges health managers, policymakers, and practitioners to adopt these strategies to improve maternal experiences.

Jepchirchir Kiplagat, cohort 5, Moi University, was awarded a Senior Fellowship in Global Health Communications Leadership for 2025 - 2026 on July 14, 2025, by the Center for Communications Leadership and Policy (CCLP) and the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health (IIGH) at the University of Southern California (USC). The fellowship, running from September 15, 2025, to August 14, 2026, will allow her to pursue a project that uses innovative communication methods to advance a global health issue. It is designed to be undertaken while fellows remain at their home institutions, with opportunities for virtual collaboration and a short visit to the US. As a Senior Fellow, she joins a distinguished network of scholars and professionals working to improve journalism and communications, address health inequalities, and strengthen democratic engagement in global health.

Solange Nikwigize, cohort 11, University of Rwanda, is leading a study on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) coverage and equity. The study seeks to improve how vaccine reach and inclusiveness are measured, providing evidence to strengthen HPV program delivery. In July, she led key implementation activities, including piloting the survey and training 45 data collectors. The study involves the collection of quantitative data alongside a sero-survey component, and Solange will be responsible for supervising activities in every district in Rwanda to ensure quality and consistency. Through this work, she is contributing evidence that will help shape more equitable HPV vaccination strategies in Rwanda and beyond.

Kganetso Sekome, cohort 10, University of the Witwatersrand, has been selected to join the Emerging Leaders Programme by the World Heart Federation, focusing on cardiovascular health policy research, health systems, and implementation science. He will attend a seminar in Florence, Italy, from November 15–19, 2025, where he will participate in collaborative grant proposal development. He will also engage in research and dissemination activities on cardiovascular disease prevention and care, and contribute to global dialogue at the World Congress of Cardiology. Kganetso is a senior lecturer whose research focuses on cardiovascular health, hypertension control, physical activity, dietary interventions, and health-systems research, making his selection to the Emerging Leaders Programme a fitting and impactful next step in his career.

Kennedy Otwombe, cohort 1, University of the Witwatersrand, was nominated by the Wellcome Trust UK to serve on its Population and Public Health Advisory Group grants review panel for a three-year term. He was also recently appointed Acting Chairperson of the University Council at Amref International University, where he had the honour of presiding over his first graduation ceremony in the role.

Samuel Mwaniki, cohort 8, University of Nairobi, delivered an oral presentation on “From Dialogue to Data: Partnering with Key Populations for Inclusive HIV Prevention Research in Kenya” at the International AIDS Society (IAS) 2025 Conference. Held from July 13 - 17, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda, the conference brought together global leaders, researchers, and advocates in the HIV field. Samuel’s presentation highlighted the importance of inclusive and participatory approaches in HIV prevention research, emphasizing partnerships with key populations to inform data-driven interventions.

Funding Opportunity: HPV Vaccination Grants Programme 2025

Cancer Research UK is accepting expressions of interest for HPV Vaccination Grants through its International Cancer Prevention (ICP) program. This initiative supports global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by increasing HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Funded projects may focus on research, advocacy, capacity building, or peer learning to drive impact. Two to three projects will be awarded grants ranging from £100,000 to £200,000, with a duration of 18 to 30 months. Organizations or coalitions based in eligible LMICs in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or the Caribbean are invited to apply. Details

Deadline: September 8, 2025

Call for Abstracts: ICAMMHA 2025

The 4th International Conference on Maternal Mental Health in Africa (ICAMMHA) will be held on December 4 - 5, 2025, at Cresta Lodge, Harare, Zimbabwe, as a hybrid event. The conference will spotlight innovation, research, and impact in maternal mental health across African settings. The program features plenary sessions, symposia, oral and poster presentations, expert panels, and lived experience contributions. Submissions are welcome from researchers, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, and practitioners. Details

Deadline: September 1, 2025

In case you missed it:

• Webinar on "The Future of Africa-U.S. Health Diplomacy, Perspectives from the Continent Part 2: The Current and Projected Health Impact of Cuts to US Global Health Assistance." Watch here
• Webinar on Personalized medicine in Africa, which unpacks the promise, potential, and challenges of tailored healthcare, and how it could transform health outcomes across the continent. Watch here

How do we move from principles to practice in equitable research? Prof. Phaik Yeong Cheah shares hard-won insights from the Thai-Myanmar border on ethics, engagement, and power in global health. In a candid and thought-provoking talk published by CERCLE, Prof. Cheah (University of Oxford and Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok) reflects on her decades of work in low-resource settings. Watch here

Master the art of grant writing: Explore a Grant Writing Webinar Series from the Afrique Research Support Hub (ARSH) program, featuring sessions on proposal development, budgeting, ethics, and grant resubmissions. Watch the French and English recordings.

To be featured in the next CARTA Monthly, share with us your news and updates

via email to cartacomms@cartafrica.org on or before August 25, 2025.

Submissions should include but are not limited to:

Upcoming events, meetings, story ideas, new collaborations, new trials/updates, upcoming and published papers, policy briefs, community engagement activities, scholarships, what you are reading, if you won a grant, attending or about an upcoming conference, a call for applications/funding/papers, etc.

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