The MCDC Investigator programme provides continuing support for postdoctoral fellows trained under the Gates Malaria Partnership, to encourage them to remain in Africa and to be active in research.
Through this award, investigators receive support with their research and career development through programmes of Personal Development Planning (PDP) and mentorship.
MCDC investigators also have the chance to network regularly with current students and provide help and support. An intranet or online 'MCDC community' has been developed to provide a private platform for the MCDC network to interact and share information about upcoming funding calls, training programmes and job opportunities as well as to share resources and stay in touch.
Awards
Investigators have access to our MCDC Initiative Awards small-grants fund. These are awards of up to $40k intended to allow collection of pilot data that will support a larger grant application, to allow completion of a sound project which has gone over budget or run out of time or to fund bridging activities. An annual call for applications is made. Applications are reviewed and scored by all members of the MCDC steering committee, using outside referees if required.
The MCDC grant also contained provision for five senior fellowship awards. These were larger awards up to a total value of $300,000 and were made to Dr Badara Cisse, Dr Evelyn Ansah, Dr Margaret Kweku, Dr Diadier Diallo and Dr Kamija Phiri.