- Chuka University secured KSh191 million (€1.3 million) through the Global Health EDCTP3 programme to lead a multi‑country outbreak preparedness initiative.
- The funding supports the One Collaborative Training Programme for Outbreak Preparedness and Universal Surveillance (OCTOPUS), involving partners from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC, and Denmark.
- The initiative strengthens disease surveillance, builds researcher capacity, and aligns with UN SDG 3, the EU Global Health Strategy, and the AU–EU Innovation Agenda.
Chuka University has been awarded a KSh 191 million (€1,299,926) research grant to lead a multi-country initiative aimed at outbreak preparedness and disease surveillance across Africa.
Announcing the award on its official social media pages, the university confirmed that the funding was awarded through the Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3), under a programme supported by the European Union and more than 45 participating countries.
“The university extends its heartfelt congratulations to the project team and its international collaborators on this remarkable achievement, which further affirms Chuka University’s growing leadership in research excellence, innovation, and global health partnerships,” the university posted on Facebook.
The grant will fund the One Collaborative Training Programme for Outbreak Preparedness and Universal Surveillance (OCTOPUS). Chuka University is serving as the Lead African Consortium Partner on the project, collaborating with institutions in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Technical University of Denmark.
The initiative seeks to strengthen public health systems by building the capacity of researchers and health professionals to improve disease surveillance, preparedness, and response to outbreaks across the region.
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Chuka University announced that Elizabeth Njoroge will serve as principal investigator on the project. She will be supported by Dennis Muriithi, Mark Okongo, who is also the university’s vice-chancellor, Henry Mutembei, Alice Lunani, James Mwangi, Muendo Cornelius, and John Kirimi.
The Kenyan team will collaborate with a Danish contingent led by Patrick Njage of the Technical University of Denmark.
Chuka University said the grant reflects its growing reputation in research, innovation, and global health collaboration. The funding comes through Global Health EDCTP3, a partnership established under EU Council Regulation 2021/2085 and set to run from 2021 to 2031 with a total expected budget of Ksh 238 billion.
The programme supports health research under the European Union’s Horizon Europe framework and is jointly financed by the EU contributing Ksh 115 billion, member countries of the EDCTP Association providing Ksh 71 billion, and other partners pledging the remaining Ksh 52 billion.
The initiative aims to strengthen research capacity, improve global health outcomes, and accelerate responses to infectious diseases.
The initiative also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being, while advancing the objectives of the EU Global Health Strategy and the African Union–EU Innovation Agenda.
By Bernard Magada
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