Research and Capacity Building Core

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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, bears the second highest burden of cancer cases (11%) and deaths (12%) in Africa.1 Evidence-based cancer control interventions such as vaccines for cancer control exist, but are underutilized in Nigeria.2,3 To close this research-to-practice gap, we propose a US-Nigerian Cancer Control Center for Research on Implementation Science and Equity (C3-RISE) capacity building core. The overall goals are to increase the pipeline of early-career Nigerian-based investigators and practitioners who can lead IS research for equitable cancer control in Nigeria. We will use participatory implementation science approaches10 (such as crowdsourcing11 and apprenticeships) to develop sustained capacity for implementation research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Crowdsourcing asks a group to solve a problem (through participatory activities such as open calls,12 designathons,13 or other activities) and then shares the solutions with the public.14 Apprenticeships provide the practical skills, direct mentorship, and supportive environment to increase the likelihood of launching successful IS interventions. In this capacity building core, we propose a series of in-person and online training opportunities in IS methods to spur innovative, equitable cancer control research pilot studies. Each year, open calls will be used to identify eight exceptional trainees (as part of two-person teams) from participating Nigerian-based institutions (including academic, clinical, and community-based organizations). Each cohort will join a two-week residential training experience focused on IS for equitable cancer control. Trainees will also become part of a year-long virtual learning community and mentoring program designed to facilitate and sustain careers in the IS and cancer workforces. Trainee teams will compete for small seed Pilot Partner grants to launch pilot plans of their final IS cancer pilots at community sites. They will receive mentorship from established faculty mentors to carry out pilots focused on enhancing vaccines to prevent cancer (i.e., HPV and HBV vaccines). Our specific aims are: To identify and recruit Nigerian trainees for the C3-RISE capacity building core ; 2) To develop IS research capacity building for equity in cancer control among trainees; and 3) To initiate, sustain, and evaluate a virtual participatory learning community to facilitate access to curated resources and collaboration between geographically dispersed trainees. Our strong focus on cultivating local Nigerian mentors and trainees will have an enduring impact on institutionalizing research mentorship and enhancing capacity for training at the organizational level. Our plan aligns with Nigerian national, NIH, and strategic priorities related to building capacity for cancer research.