Summary

The objective of the project is the implementation of a network of Regional and Local Contact Points (RCPs and LCPs) in sub-Saharan Africa which will provide information about funding opportunities of the FP7, raise awareness for the programme, provide training for scientists interested to apply and assist them in proposal writing and during the project execution. The establishing of the Contact Points will ensure that young African scientists (YAS) are provided with the necessary information and are encouraged to participate in EU-funded research programmes on Poverty Related Diseases (PRD).

Each RCP will be responsible for one region and will set up its activities with the mentoring assistance of its European counterpart and in turn RCPs provide support to the LCPs in their region.

The set up of the contact point network (CPN) will attract young African scientists to PRD research and helps to consolidate the research system in sub-Saharan countries. Furthermore, it will support the preparation of activities related to future Framework Programmes (FP7) in the sub-Saharan African countries and strengthen the co-ordination and complementarities with activities carried out by other national and international institutions on PRD.