One Health IPC and AMS Training for Human and Agri-Food Systems in Africa

The One Health IPC and AMS Training Programme invites applications to develop and implement quality improvement projects in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) across human and animal health sectors in African LMICs. The program offers a 36-month training and mentorship framework with a budget of up to USD 300,000, supporting capacity building, evaluation, and scaling of evidence-based interventions.

Programme Overview

This programme, supported by ICARS, aims to strengthen One Health practices by providing structured training and mentorship in AMS, IPC, biosecurity, and prudent antibiotic use. Participants design, implement, and evaluate quality improvement projects tailored to hospitals, veterinary systems, and agri-food settings. The initiative emphasizes bilingual training, interactive learning, and practical exposure through at least one in-person session per course.

Training Components

1. Training of Trainers (ToT):

   • Equip facilitators with foundational knowledge and practical skills in AMS, IPC, and quality improvement.

   • Prepare trainers to deliver participant-level courses at institutional and country levels.

2. Participant-Level Courses:

   • Apply theoretical and practical concepts in human and animal health contexts.

   • Develop and implement institutional quality improvement projects.

   • Include mentorship, monitoring, and evaluation support throughout.

3. Applied Quality Improvement Projects:

   • Tailored to local institutional needs.

   • Address antimicrobial use, patient and animal health, biosecurity, and adoption barriers.

   • Integrate quantitative and qualitative assessment methods aligned with global standards.

Key Focus Areas

• Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) – Evidence-based antibiotic use in human and animal health.

• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) – Hospital, veterinary, and agri-food biosecurity measures.

• Quality Improvement (QI) – Behaviour change, implementation strategies, and measurement approaches.

• One Health Integration – Cross-sectoral coordination between human, animal, and environmental health.

Eligibility Criteria

• Lead Organization: Legally registered in an African LMIC or partnered with one.

• Experience: Demonstrated expertise in AMS, IPC, biosecurity, quality improvement, and training delivery.

• Consortiums: Allowed under a single lead institution.

• Target Participants: Clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, veterinarians, farm managers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and One Health practitioners working in LMICs.

Project Requirements

Proposals must include:

1. Pre-Training Phase: Needs assessment, curriculum development, and faculty recruitment.

2. Implementation Phase: Conduct ToT and participant-level courses, including at least one in-person session.

3. Evaluation Framework: Assess knowledge gains, project outcomes, and practical application.

4. Post-Training Activities: Mentorship, cascade training, final evaluation report, and resource package for future scaling.

Funding and Duration

• Maximum Budget: USD 300,000

• Project Duration: 36 months

• Eligible Costs: Salaries, travel, training activities, SME costs, dissemination, and other justified expenditures.

Application and Evaluation Process

• Proposal Submission: Must follow the required structure, page limits, and include all annexes (budget, CVs, audited reports, SOPs).

• Evaluation Criteria: Methodological soundness, team expertise, feasibility, contextual relevance, and budget justification.

• Timeline:

  • Submission Deadline: 17 December 2025

  • Review & Interviews: Late December 2025 – Early 2026

  • Final Agreements: Early 2026

Why This Programme Matters

• Builds capacity in AMS and IPC across human and animal health sectors.

• Promotes evidence-based practices and One Health collaboration.

• Supports institutional and regional quality improvement initiatives.

• Facilitates long-term mentorship and resource development for sustainable outcomes.

Common Tips for Applicants

• Ensure alignment with One Health principles and regional/global standards.

• Include detailed project design, evaluation metrics, and budget justification.

• Demonstrate capacity to deliver bilingual training and in-person components.

• Highlight team expertise and prior experience in AMS, IPC, and QI projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can lead the application? A legally registered organization in an African LMIC or a consortium partnered with one.
2. What is the maximum funding available? USD 300,000.
3. How long is the project? 36 months.
4. Who are the target participants? Health professionals including clinicians, pharmacists, veterinarians, and One Health practitioners.
5. What are the main components of training? Training of Trainers, participant-level courses, applied QI projects, mentorship, and evaluation.
6. When is the submission deadline? 17 December 2025.
7. How are proposals evaluated? Based on methodological soundness, feasibility, team expertise, contextual relevance, and budget justification.

Conclusion

The One Health IPC and AMS Training Programme provides a comprehensive framework for capacity building, mentorship, and evidence-based interventions in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention. By strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration and enabling practical, measurable improvements, the programme contributes to sustainable health outcomes in African LMICs.