Understanding how data streams from Africa inform infection spread and preparedness
Official title: Role of Data streams In Informing infection dynamics in Africa (INFORM Africa)
Funded at Institute of Human Virology · NIH-11515341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A U54 grant uses big data from Africa to understand how local readiness affects the global spread of infections like COVID-19 and HIV, with the aim of guiding smarter interventions that protect people in the U.S. and worldwide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute of Human Virology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Abuja, Nigeria) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $293,612 |
| NIH project number | 3U54TW012041-05S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11515341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This work is not a patient-enrollment study; it focuses on population data and health systems that could guide future patient-focused interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals directly enrolled as participants are not specified in this grant.
What this research studies
This grant will analyze large datasets from Nigeria and South Africa to map how preparedness and data availability influence the transmission of infectious diseases. It focuses on linked data streams to identify interventions that can reduce export risk and improve pandemic readiness. The work is led by IHVN in Nigeria and CAPRISA in South Africa, with collaboration from US partners and a private industry partner to ensure practical relevance for health systems. The outcomes are intended to inform policy, improve data-driven decision making, and strengthen responses to future outbreaks. The approach emphasizes population-scale insights that could help protect communities both locally and globally, including Americans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could improve how governments and health systems monitor outbreaks and deploy interventions, potentially reducing the impact of pandemics.
How similar studies have gone: The grant cites established collaborations and prior successes of the involved institutions in global health data efforts, with potential for proven impact in similar settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute of Human Virology
Abuja, Nigeria Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abimiku, Alash'le G. — Institute of Human Virology
- Study coordinator: Abimiku, Alash'le G.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.