The Training Initiative for Modelling Epidemic Response in Africa (TIMERA) is an African public health capacity-building initiative designed to strengthen the use of mathematical and statistical modelling in the prevention, surveillance, and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3 (Global Health EDCTP3), the project aims to train approximately 50 African fellows through a structured programme combining in-person training, online learning, specialised mentoring, applied projects, and professional collaboration.
The TIMERA project runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029. During this period, the initiative will work to strengthen modelling capacity in sub-Saharan Africa and support the development of a skilled regional workforce capable of generating evidence to inform epidemic preparedness and public health decision-making.
The TIMERA Fellowship is particularly relevant to early- and mid-career researchers and public health professionals who are committed to applying modelling approaches to infectious disease control. Its training model combines theoretical instruction with practical applications, including exposure to artificial intelligence-supported approaches, supervised internships where feasible, and collaborative work intended to translate scientific findings into formats that policymakers can understand and use.
For African professionals interested in infectious disease epidemiology, outbreak preparedness, mathematical modelling, public health research, and evidence-informed health policy, TIMERA offers a specialised professional development opportunity.
1. Overview of the TIMERA Fellowship
The TIMERA project responds to the need to strengthen Africa’s capacity to anticipate, analyse, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks using locally relevant evidence.
Mathematical and statistical modelling can help public health authorities examine how infections spread, assess possible outbreak scenarios, identify areas that may require stronger surveillance, and explore the potential effects of public health interventions. However, the ability to develop and apply these approaches remains uneven across regions, and modelling expertise is often concentrated outside the African institutions and communities that need it.
TIMERA seeks to address this challenge by training African public health professionals and researchers in infectious disease modelling and supporting them as they apply their learning to real-world public health problems.
Key programme details
- Programme name: Training Initiative for Modelling Epidemic Response in Africa (TIMERA).
- Project period: 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029.
- Funding programme: Global Health EDCTP3, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3.
- Primary focus: Mathematical and statistical modelling for infectious disease preparedness and response.
- Target participants: Early- to mid-career researchers and public health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa, subject to the official eligibility criteria.
- Planned number of fellows: Approximately 50 African fellows.
- Training duration: A 12-month blended learning programme.
- Training format: In-person training blocks, online learning, thematic workshops, remote mentoring, group work, applied projects, and evidence generation.
- Additional learning opportunities: Exposure to AI-supported modelling approaches and supervised internships where feasible.
- Application deadline: October 15, 2026.
The project description identifies the initiative as a Coordination and Support Action under the Global Health EDCTP3 programme. Its disease areas include emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases, lower respiratory tract infections, and diarrhoeal diseases. Surveillance tools and digital technologies are among the areas relevant to the project’s broader work.
2. Why the TIMERA Fellowship Is Important for Africa
The challenge of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a substantial burden of infectious diseases, including diseases that emerge or re-emerge and those that can cause outbreaks requiring rapid public health action.
Effective outbreak preparedness depends on the ability to detect threats, interpret surveillance information, understand disease transmission, assess potential interventions, and communicate findings to decision-makers.
However, the TIMERA project description identifies several challenges affecting the region’s capacity to anticipate and respond to outbreaks:
- Uneven availability of infectious disease modelling expertise.
- Concentration of much modelling capacity in the Global North.
- Weaknesses in surveillance systems.
- Shortages of skilled professionals.
- Limited data infrastructure.
- Continued reliance on external support that may not fully reflect local circumstances.
These challenges can make it more difficult for public health authorities to generate timely, locally relevant evidence during an outbreak.
The TIMERA project therefore emphasises strengthening African-led modelling capacity. Developing expertise within African research institutions and public health systems can support responses that better reflect local disease patterns, health systems, population characteristics, and operational realities.
Why mathematical modelling matters in epidemic response
Mathematical modelling is increasingly important in infectious disease control because it can help researchers and public health professionals investigate possible outbreak developments and examine the consequences of different response strategies.
Modelling can contribute to several areas of public health practice.
1. Identifying areas of elevated risk
Modelling can help identify geographical areas or populations that may face increased risk during an outbreak. This can support decisions about where surveillance and prevention efforts may need to be strengthened.
2. Understanding potential outbreak dynamics
Models can be used to investigate how an outbreak might develop under different conditions. This can help public health professionals explore possible changes in disease transmission and the potential scale of an outbreak.
3. Assessing public health interventions
Modelling can provide insights into the potential effects of interventions and response strategies. Although model results depend on the quality of the data and assumptions used, they can contribute to evidence-informed planning.
4. Supporting public health decision-making
Model outputs can help policymakers and public health authorities compare scenarios, understand uncertainty, and assess possible courses of action.
5. Strengthening preparedness for future emergencies
Developing local modelling expertise can help institutions build the capacity to analyse emerging threats and prepare responses before an outbreak reaches a critical stage.
TIMERA aims to strengthen these capabilities by combining technical training with applied learning and engagement with public health institutions.
3. What Does the TIMERA Fellowship Offer?
The TIMERA Fellowship is structured as a 12-month blended learning programme rather than a single workshop or short course.
Its design combines face-to-face training, online modules, specialised mentoring, thematic workshops, group work, applied projects, and an evidence-generation phase. Fellows will also have opportunities for supervised internships where feasible.
3.1. Two Intensive Face-to-Face Training Blocks
Fellows will participate in two intensive face-to-face training blocks, each lasting two weeks.
These training periods are intended to form a central part of the programme’s learning structure. They are complemented by online activities and continuing mentoring throughout the fellowship.
The supplied project description does not state the precise dates or locations of the training blocks, nor does it specify whether travel, accommodation, meals, or other expenses will be covered. Candidates should verify these details in the official call before making arrangements.
3.2. Online Learning Modules
The programme combines in-person instruction with online modules.
This blended approach allows the training to extend beyond the two face-to-face blocks. Online learning forms part of the wider programme, alongside workshops, mentoring, and applied work.
The supplied description does not list the individual modules, software packages, course timetable, or technical prerequisites. Applicants should consult the official call for further information about the curriculum and expected participation.
3.3. Specialised and Continuous Mentoring
TIMERA places a strong emphasis on specialised mentoring.
According to the project description, fellows will be paired with experienced experts who will provide personalised guidance throughout the programme. The mentoring structure will include separate mentors for modelling and infectious disease components of the training.
This arrangement is intended to help participants develop both their modelling capabilities and their understanding of infectious disease issues.
Specialised mentoring can be valuable in a technical programme because modelling requires more than familiarity with mathematical or statistical methods. Participants must also understand the epidemiological context, interpret evidence appropriately, and consider how analytical findings relate to public health decisions.
The project description does not specify the names of individual mentors or the precise frequency of mentoring sessions.
3.4. Thematic Workshops
The fellowship includes thematic workshops designed to complement the main training activities.
These workshops form part of the programme’s broader learning model and provide another setting for participants to engage with relevant topics.
The supplied description does not identify all workshop themes or provide a complete schedule. Prospective fellows should consult the official call for the latest curriculum information.
3.5. Group Work and Peer Learning
TIMERA includes a substantial collaborative component.
After the final face-to-face training module, fellows will work together for three months to develop outputs in formats suitable for communication to policymakers.
This period of group work is particularly important because it connects technical learning with communication and policy translation.
Working collaboratively can allow participants to exchange perspectives, apply different skills, and develop outputs that communicate modelling findings in a useful form.
The project description does not specify the number of groups, exact project topics, or precise deliverables. Those details should be confirmed through the official programme documentation.
3.6. Applied Projects and Evidence Generation
Fellows will undertake applied projects intended to help them use their learning to address real-world public health challenges.
The programme aims to develop technical competencies in infectious disease modelling while also helping participants apply those competencies in practical settings.
The project description highlights exposure to AI-supported approaches, including artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. This provides an additional technical dimension to the programme.
The supplied material does not identify specific AI tools, programming languages, modelling platforms, or required project topics. Applicants should not assume that proficiency in a particular software package is mandatory unless the official eligibility or curriculum documents state so.
3.7. Supervised Internships Where Feasible
Where feasible, fellows will have opportunities to undertake short internships at one of the following:
- Their home institution.
- A national public health institute.
- A ministry of health.
These internships are intended to anchor the training in real-world institutional contexts.
The opportunity is described as conditional on feasibility. It should therefore not be interpreted as a guaranteed placement for every fellow.
The supplied information does not specify internship duration, host institutions, placement arrangements, or whether travel and other expenses are covered.
4. Policy Translation: Turning Modelling into Actionable Evidence
A key feature of TIMERA is its emphasis on policy translation.
Technical modelling results are most useful when decision-makers can understand what the findings mean, what assumptions underpin them, and how they might inform public health action.
A technically sound analysis may have limited practical value if its findings cannot be communicated clearly to health officials, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders.
TIMERA therefore aims to equip fellows not only with modelling skills but also with the ability to communicate their findings effectively to policymakers.
This emphasis is reflected in the three-month group-work period following the final face-to-face training module. During this period, fellows will collaborate to develop outputs in formats appropriate for policy communication.
The programme’s approach recognises that public health modelling requires a combination of technical competence and effective communication.
Fellows may be expected to engage with questions such as how findings can be presented clearly, how uncertainty should be communicated, and how evidence can be made relevant to institutional decision-making. These are examples of the broader issues associated with policy translation; the supplied project description does not provide a complete list of formal assignments.
5. Who Should Consider Applying for the TIMERA Fellowship?
The project description identifies early- to mid-career researchers and public health professionals who have a strong commitment to applying modelling approaches in infectious disease control as the intended participants.
The programme is designed to strengthen modelling capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. It may therefore be particularly relevant to professionals whose work relates to infectious disease epidemiology, public health surveillance, research, outbreak preparedness, or health policy.
However, the full mandatory eligibility criteria are not included in the supplied application-form excerpt. Applicants must review the official TIMERA Call for Applications before concluding that they qualify.
Potentially relevant professional backgrounds
Based on the programme’s stated purpose, the fellowship may be of interest to professionals working in areas such as:
- Public health research.
- Infectious disease epidemiology.
- Disease surveillance.
- Outbreak preparedness and response.
- Mathematical or statistical modelling.
- Health research and evidence generation.
- Public health institutions and programmes.
- Applied research relevant to infectious disease control.
These are examples of areas that may be relevant to the programme’s objectives, not a verified list of eligible professions.
The official call should be used to confirm which academic qualifications, employment backgrounds, years of experience, institutional affiliations, or other criteria are mandatory.
Geographic focus
TIMERA is focused on strengthening modelling capacity in sub-Saharan Africa and plans to train approximately 50 African fellows.
The project description does not provide a complete list of eligible countries or establish whether every country in the region is eligible. It also does not fully specify how nationality, residence, employment location, or institutional affiliation will be assessed.
Candidates should therefore consult the official eligibility requirements rather than assume that residence in an African country alone guarantees eligibility.
6. How to Apply for the TIMERA Fellowship
The supplied application form directs prospective fellows to review the official Call for Applications and eligibility requirements before completing the form.
The form states that applicants must meet all mandatory eligibility criteria to proceed to technical assessment. It also warns that incomplete applications will not proceed to technical scoring.
Applicants can use the following steps to prepare their submissions.
Step 1: Read the Official Call for Applications
Review the official TIMERA Call for Applications before completing the form.
Pay particular attention to the eligibility requirements, required qualifications, supporting documents, application deadline, and instructions for the relevant cohort.
The supplied material does not reproduce the complete call, so it is important to consult the official documentation for any conditions that are not visible in the form excerpt.
Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility
Check whether your professional background, academic qualifications, nationality, residence, and institutional circumstances meet the programme’s mandatory requirements.
If the eligibility criteria are unclear, contact the programme team before submitting an application.
Step 3: Complete the Applicant Information Section
The supplied Google Form includes a section titled Section 1 — Applicant Information.
The form requests the following information:
- Email address.
- Country of nationality.
- Full legal name as it appears on the applicant’s passport.
- Alternative email address, where applicable.
- Telephone number, including the international country code.
- Country of current residence.
- City of current residence.
- Gender.
- Whether the applicant identifies as a person with a disability.
The form provides the following gender options: female, male, prefer not to say, and other/prefer to self-describe.
For the disability question, the listed options are yes, no, and prefer not to say.
The supplied form excerpt does not state that any particular response to the gender or disability questions automatically determines eligibility.
Applicants should complete these fields accurately and follow the form’s instructions.
Step 4: Use Accurate Personal and Contact Information
The form specifically instructs applicants to enter their full legal name as it appears on their passport.
Applicants should ensure that their contact details are correct and include the relevant international dialling code in the telephone field.
An alternative email address can also be provided where applicable.
Step 5: Prepare the Required Supporting Documents
The application form states that all required supporting documents must be uploaded in the specified format.
However, the supplied excerpt does not list all required documents or their technical specifications.
Applicants should consult the official Call for Applications and the complete form to confirm which documents are required, their accepted file formats, and any file-size limits.
Step 6: Review Your Application
Before submitting, check that all mandatory questions have been answered and that all required documents have been uploaded correctly.
The programme explicitly warns that incomplete applications will not proceed to technical scoring.
Applicants should therefore avoid submitting a form before checking its completeness and confirming that they satisfy the mandatory eligibility conditions.
Step 7: Submit Through the Official Application Form
The supplied application form is available through Google Forms and is identified as having been created within Addis Ababa University.
TIMERA Fellow Application Form
Applicants should confirm that they are using the intended official form and should read the programme’s privacy notice before uploading documents.
7. Important Information About Application Privacy and Document Uploads
The supplied Google Form includes notices about the collection of account information and the sharing of uploaded files.
According to the form, the name, email address, and photo associated with the applicant’s Google Account will be recorded when the applicant uploads files and submits the form.
The form also states that uploaded files will be shared outside the organisation they belong to.
Applicants should read these notices carefully before submitting personal information, identity documents, or other supporting materials. They should ensure that the documents they upload are correct and that they understand the information-sharing arrangements described in the form.
The form also warns applicants never to submit passwords through Google Forms. Passwords and account credentials should not be included in application responses or supporting documents.
8. The Organisations Behind the TIMERA Project
The project description identifies a consortium involving African and European institutions.
These organisations contribute to the initiative’s collaborative structure and its objective of strengthening infectious disease modelling capacity in sub-Saharan Africa.
European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership is identified as the project coordinator in the supplied project information.
The project receives funding through Global Health EDCTP3.
The consortium’s overall work is directed towards improving the capacity to address emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases through strengthened modelling expertise and related public health capabilities.
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa University is identified as the scientific project leader and a beneficiary.
The university is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The supplied application form also identifies Addis Ababa University in its footer.
The project’s scientific leadership role is part of the broader consortium arrangement supporting the fellowship.
The project description further states that the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP), run by the project scientific leader at Addis Ababa University, will serve as a platform for mentoring and supporting fellows after graduation.
Réseau Africain de Recherche en Santé, Senegal
The consortium includes Réseau Africain de Recherche en Santé, located in Dakar, Senegal.
The organisation is listed as a beneficiary in the supplied project information.
KNCV, Netherlands
The consortium includes Koninklijke Nederlandse Centrale Vereniging tot Bestrijding der Tuberculose (KNCV), located in the Netherlands.
The organisation is identified as a beneficiary in the project details.
Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands
Stichting Radboud Universitair Medisch Centrum, located in Nijmegen, Netherlands, is also listed as a beneficiary.
Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, located in Maputo, Mozambique, is another beneficiary identified in the project information.
The inclusion of institutions based in African and European countries reflects the project’s consortium structure and its collaborative approach to infectious disease research and training.
The supplied project page lists funding allocations for individual consortium participants. These are institutional project-funding figures, not individual fellowship stipends or cash awards to fellows.
9. What Impact Does TIMERA Aim to Achieve?
The project aims to strengthen regional capabilities for outbreak preparedness and response by developing modelling expertise among African public health professionals.
Its stated impact objectives include the following.
Training 50 African Public Health Professionals
The initiative plans to train 50 fellows from sub-Saharan Africa in contemporary infectious disease modelling techniques, including the use of AI and machine learning tools.
Developing this expertise is intended to expand the region’s pool of professionals able to apply modelling approaches to public health problems.
Connecting Technical Training to Real-World Challenges
The project emphasises training that is theoretically rigorous while remaining connected to practical public health needs.
Through applied projects and supervised internships where feasible, fellows will have opportunities to connect their learning with real institutional contexts.
Supporting Continuing Professional Development
TIMERA includes opportunities for continued professional development and peer exchange.
These activities are intended to maintain and strengthen technical capabilities beyond the initial training experience.
Building a Regional Modelling Network
The project description identifies the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme at Addis Ababa University as a platform for post-graduation mentoring and support.
This is intended to help establish a regional, Africa-led alumni network in epidemiological modelling.
A continuing network could support professional connections, knowledge exchange, and the development of modelling expertise beyond the fellowship itself.
Strengthening Future Outbreak Preparedness
Ultimately, TIMERA aims to improve the ability of African public health systems to use modelling when anticipating and responding to outbreaks.
The project seeks to strengthen the generation and use of locally relevant evidence, support informed decision-making, and contribute to reducing the impact of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
These are the project’s intended outcomes; the supplied information does not provide evidence of final results because the project period extends to 30 June 2029.
10. Is There an Application Deadline?
The supplied TIMERA application form displays the following placeholder:
Application deadline: October 15, 2026
This is not an actual date and time. The precise application deadline has therefore not been established from the supplied materials.
The overall project period is 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029, but these dates describe the project’s duration, not the closing date for fellowship applications.
Applicants should contact the programme team at timera@aau.edu.et or consult the official Call for Applications to confirm:
- Whether applications are currently open.
- Which cohort is accepting applications.
- The exact submission deadline and time zone.
- The complete eligibility criteria.
- The supporting documents required.
- The selection process and expected notification timeline.
Candidates should not interpret the project end date or any other project milestone as the fellowship application deadline.
11. Official Application Link and Contact Information
Interested professionals can use the following information to access the application form and request clarification.
Programme: Training Initiative for Modelling Epidemic Response in Africa (TIMERA)
Application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfISlfdvJv-q-mpSal6lmXsSdjZ6bX_bFOQBneZ5AxVbMIubw/viewform
Application enquiries:
timera@aau.edu.et
Project period:
1 July 2026 – 30 June 2029
Application deadline: October 15, 2026
Before applying, candidates should read the official TIMERA Call for Applications and ensure that all eligibility conditions and document requirements are satisfied.
Visit HERE to learn more about the TIMERA Fellowship 2026–2029.
Conclusion
The Training Initiative for Modelling Epidemic Response in Africa (TIMERA) is designed to strengthen infectious disease modelling capacity in sub-Saharan Africa through a structured, 12-month blended learning programme. Funded through Global Health EDCTP3, the project plans to train approximately 50 African fellows across three sequential cohorts during the 2026–2029 project period.
The programme combines two intensive two-week face-to-face training blocks with online modules, thematic workshops, specialised mentoring, applied projects, and group work. Fellows will also have opportunities for supervised internships where feasible, while the programme’s emphasis on policy translation is intended to help participants communicate technical findings to policymakers.
The initiative’s broader objective is to strengthen Africa-led capacity for anticipating and responding to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. By supporting technical training, applied learning, continued professional development, and a regional alumni network, TIMERA aims to contribute to stronger public health preparedness and evidence-informed decision-making.
Interested applicants should carefully review the official Call for Applications, confirm their eligibility, prepare the required supporting documents, and complete the online form accurately. Because the supplied application form contains an uncompleted deadline field, applicants must contact the programme team or consult the official call to confirm the closing date before submitting.
Incomplete applications will not proceed to technical scoring. Applicants should therefore verify every requirement and ensure their submission is complete before the confirmed deadline.
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