# Partnership for Research in Emerging Viral Infections-Sierra Leone (PREVSL)

> **NIH NIH U2R** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $193,210

## Abstract

Project Summary/ Abstract: The recent Ebola epidemic exposed the fragility of Sierra Leone´s health system
and highlighted the inadequate investments to date that are needed to support a well-functioning system
capable of responding to a disease outbreak of this magnitude. To improve delivery of quality health services
for patients with endemic viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) such as Lassa fever (LF), while strengthening
capacity to conduct clinical trials during future epidemic VHF outbreaks such as Ebola, Sierra Leone must grow
its pool of qualified health professionals with the methodological skills in implementation science and the
conduct of clinical trials.
We have just completed a Planning Grant for Emerging Epidemic Virus Research Training for West African
Countries with Widespread Transmission of Ebola- Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone (D71TW010411), that
has allowed us to evaluate existing research capacity of our in-country partner organizations, while refining our
strategies for best approaches to address gaps in that capacity. Combining this with our extensive knowledge
and history of conducting VHF research in Sierra Leone; as well as nearly two-decades managing institutional
research, training, and capacity-building grants; we propose here our comprehensive research training plan
in response to PAR-18-840-Global Infectious Disease Research Training.
We seek to substantially advance implementation science research capacity at Sierra Leone´s principal
medical school, the University of Sierra Leone (USL), College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences
(COMAHS); as well as clinical trial infrastructure at the Kenema Government Hospital (KGH) through the
proposed Partnership for Research in Emerging Viral Infections-Sierra Leone (PREVSL) [pronounced
“Prev Sil”].
Our Specific Aims are to 1) Enhance research capacity at KGH and COMAHS for the conduct of scientifically
valid and ethically acceptable clinical trials, with a focus on Ebola, Lassa, and other VHF; 2) Strengthen and
expand the KGH and COMAHS research pool with a focus on Implementation Science research for the clinical
management of patients with VHF; and 3) Nurture innovative mentored research by PREVSL trainees/alumni
to address the clinical management of VHF. Our comprehensive training program will consist of a combination
of (1) long-term Masters training in clinical investigation with a focus on vaccine clinical trial capacity; (2) short-
to medium-term clinical trial management training that reinforces south-south collaborations and builds regional
networks; (3) short and long-term capacity building in health services implementation science research through
in-country short courses and Masters training in Public Health; and (4) sustainable capacity building at KGH
and COMAHS for the management and administration of future research grant opportunities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10375501
- **Project number:** 5U2RTW011248-04
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** DONALD SAMUEL GRANT
- **Activity code:** U2R (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $193,210
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-22 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10375501

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10375501, Partnership for Research in Emerging Viral Infections-Sierra Leone (PREVSL) (5U2RTW011248-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10375501. Licensed CC0.

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