The SCI Schistosomiasis Research Programme SRP

Relocation from Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) to the Danish Bilharzia Laboratory - Institute for Health Research and Development

As from March 1^st 2005, the management of the Schistosomiasis Research Programme will be the responsibility of the DBL - Institute for Health Research and Development (www.dblnet.dk).

Since the start of SCI, this aspect of the programme has been run by the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS), but recently the HCPDS informed SCI that it is unable to continue due to internal logistical reasons. The Institutional Review Board of the Harvard School of Public Health has imposed such strict limitations on projects to be considered that SRP proposals cannot meet their criteria, mainly because the SRP is designed to support research in Africa carried out by African scientists.

Fortunately, DBL - Institute for Health Research and Development (www.dblnet.dk) has offered to take over the management role and terms and conditions have been agreed. SCI has already issued a sub contract for DBL to run the research programme thus ensuring that there will be continuity. Mr. Scott Gordon has agreed to continue in his technical management role, and Professor Michael Reich will continue as chairman of the Research Advisory Committee.

DBL has stated its commitment to the investigators who have already submitted applications to SRP (HCPDS) and whose proposals were close to being funded. DBL will ensure that these programmes do receive funding, and we hope that with appropriate IRB approval from the home country, there will be minimal delays. Please contact Scott Gordon on sgordon@dblnet.dk for further details.

© Schistosomiasis Control Initiative 2008

Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG

tel:     0207 594 3287
email: schisto@imperial.ac.uk