As CARTA advances through its third strategic phase, CARTA2025, the initiative to establish research hubs at partner institutions marks a significant step in strengthening Africa’s research ecosystem. These hubs are envisioned to provide research knowledge, training, and expertise in specific thematic areas. The hubs will build upon and consolidate the existing research expertise within the CARTA network while bringing in new collaborators to further enhance their capacity. 

Rationale for CARTA Research Hubs
CARTA has long been committed to enhancing postgraduate training, research productivity, and the institutional capacity of African universities. The establishment of the CARTA research hubs aligns with this mission by creating multidisciplinary centers where researchers, especially early career scholars, can thrive. The hubs are designed to:

• Conduct high-quality multi-disciplinary research in specific thematic areas in line with national and regional development priorities.
• Establish a research-conducive environment with adequate administrative, procurement, financial, and grant management support for early and mid-career researchers to conduct impactful research and grow into research leadership.
• Leverage the scientific expertise of CARTA trainees.
• Adopt and adapt CARTA interventions to strengthen research training and institutional support for research within the hub and across the partner institutions included in its research collaborations.
• Engage with policy and decision makers to ensure alignment of priorities and facilitate evidence use.

Establishing the Research Hubs
The journey toward operationalizing CARTA research hubs began in December 2022 with a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI). Out of 13 applications received, five teams were awarded preparatory grants in July 2023 to refine their research concepts. After a rigorous evaluation process, two teams were competitively selected to establish the first CARTA research hubs:

1. The Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Hub: Anchored at Makerere University, this hub focuses on tackling the growing threat of infectious diseases in East Africa through research, training, and innovation.
2. DIScovery via CARTA OUtcomes-based Research training and Scientific Excellence (DISCOURSE) Hub: Anchored by the University of the Witwatersrand and hosted within the Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), this hub integrates research on infectious diseases and oncology, emphasizing outcome-based training and scientific excellence.

Capacity Building Through Postdoctoral Fellowships
A key milestone for the research hubs in 2024 was the launch of postdoctoral fellowships. Each hub is offering 12-month fellowships with the potential for renewal at the DISCOURSE Hub. The fellowships are designed to:

• Embed early career researchers within the hubs to contribute to high-impact research.
• Provide mentorship opportunities for postdoctoral fellows.
• Strengthen research networks and collaborations within and beyond the CARTA partner institutions.

Looking Ahead
The CARTA research hubs present a bold step toward institutionalizing excellence in African research. As they progress to meet their envisioned goals, they will serve as dynamic platforms for knowledge generation and policy-relevant research.

Image: Sandfly surveillance in Karamoja, Uganda. Photo credit: Robert Ochieng via TERID Hub.