# Collaborative Research Ethics Education-Mozambique (Formaçao Colaborativa em Etica na Pesquisa, FoCEP)

> **NIH NIH R25** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $50,609

## Abstract

Abstract: The growth in research activity projected for the next decade by the Mozambican government and
multiple international agencies highlights the continued need for capacity building in research ethics well into
the future. With the groundwork laid for systems of basic, translational, clinical and public health research,
parallel capacity development in research ethics will be essential to address critical locally relevant research
questions in an ethically-consistent way. The four most evident areas in which attention is needed are: 1)
ethics education, review and oversight of graduate and professional student researchers and their thesis
research projects; 2) the burgeoning growth of research using biological specimens and clinical and
epidemiologic data, including the development of biobanks and a national data warehouse; 3) research on the
prevention and treatment of infectious and non-communicable diseases; and 4) international collaborative
research that requires dual review and agreement on the authority of the potentially different regulatory
requirements of partner countries.
A team of experienced research ethics educators from UEM, UTSW, and VIGH, in collaboration with the
National Bioethics Committee for Health (CNBS) seeks to renew the Formação Colaborativa em Etíca na
Pesquisa, FoCEP (Collaborative Research Ethics Education-Mozambique). We propose a series of
interrelated educational aims and activities intended to build capacity for ethical design, review, and conduct of
biomedical research in Mozambique. The specific aims of this study are to 1) expand the cadre of Mozambican
leaders in biomedical research with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in both research design and the
ethical conduct of clinical and epidemiologic research through a tailored MPH program and masters-level
curriculum enhancements at UEM; 2) enhance the knowledge and practical skills of Mozambican REC
members and research educators in research ethics, RCR, and research integrity; and 3) further create,
evaluate, and distribute curricular materials on research ethics and the responsible conduct of research
tailored to Portuguese speaking Africa.
After 5 years of collaborative engagement in phase one of FoCEP activities, the program implementation team
is uniquely familiar with the country's challenges and are well positioned to further develop Mozambique's
capacity in research ethics, ethical review of research protocols, and the provision of research ethics and
integrity education to the country's next generation of health researchers. The team has comprehensive
knowledge of research ethics and the responsible conduct of research; skill in health sciences education;
and fluency in Portuguese that, together with its established relationships within the National and Institutional
Bioethics Committees, Ministry of Health, and research-oriented universities, make it well suited to carry out
this renewal program proposed here.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10244624
- **Project number:** 3R25TW009722-08S1
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ELIZABETH HEITMAN
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $50,609
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2014-05-02 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10244624

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10244624, Collaborative Research Ethics Education-Mozambique (Formaçao Colaborativa em Etica na Pesquisa, FoCEP) (3R25TW009722-08S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10244624. Licensed CC0.

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