West Africa platform to help end major neglected tropical diseases
Official title: Mali, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire MGC-EPIC-NTD: A 5-Year West Africa Implementation Research Platform to accelerate Elimination of Major Neglected Tropical Diseases and Mitigate Their Threats to the US
Funded at Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako · NIH-11651667 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-year effort in West Africa to speed up eliminating major neglected tropical diseases and reduce their threat to the United States.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bamako, Mali) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $50,000 |
| NIH project number | 6U01CK000729-01M005 |
| Project ID | NIH-11651667 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals living in West Africa affected by or at risk for major neglected tropical diseases and those who can participate in program activities, reporting, and related health services.
✕Less likely to help
Some communities or individuals may not directly benefit if the diseases are not prevalent in their area or if participation is not feasible for personal reasons.
What this research studies
This grant supports a five-year implementation research platform in Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast to tackle neglected tropical diseases. It will coordinate activities, build local capacity, and test practical approaches that can be scaled to reduce disease burden. The focus is on real-world, field-based actions that could improve patient health and prevent disease spread. Community health workers, local clinics, and partners will collaborate to implement strategies and monitor progress over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to fewer people affected by neglected tropical diseases and better health outcomes in the region and beyond.
How similar studies have gone: Prevailing strategies for NTD elimination have shown promise in similar settings, but this platform aims to accelerate and adapt approaches for West Africa.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako
Bamako, Mali Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coulibaly, Yaya Ibrahim — Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako
- Study coordinator: Coulibaly, Yaya Ibrahim
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.