Following the successful launch of its flagship Neonatal Sepsis Course, the Severe Neonatal Infection Adaptive Platform Trials in Africa (SNIP-AFRICA) Consortium is now inviting applications for the second cohort of the programme.
Building on the success of the first cohort, which brought together healthcare professionals and researchers from SNIP-AFRICA partner sites across Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, the second edition is now open to African researchers and healthcare professionals with an interest in neonatal sepsis care and research.
The course aims to strengthen knowledge and skills in neonatal sepsis diagnosis, management, research identification and critical appraisal. Participants will complete five self-paced online modules over 20 weeks, followed by mentor-guided group training, presentations and assessments. Completion of all online modules is required to participate in the facilitated group sessions.
A maximum of 25 participants will be selected. Applications will close on 17 July 2026, with successful applicants to be announced on 30 July 2026. The course is expected to start at the beginning of August and will be delivered online. Click here to apply
Training specifications
Scope of training
This training will focus on helping participants build competence in the following themes required for clinical research: Neonatal sepsis care and management, Scientific Literature Search, Referencing, Bibliography and Plagiarism, Reading and Critiquing a Scientific Paper, and Scientific Communication.
General description of the course
This training course is structured in two complementary sections designed to build both foundational knowledge and applied research skills in neonatal sepsis.
Section 1: Self-Paced Learning & Self-Assessment
Participants begin with an in-depth, self-paced learning journey covering the identification, treatment, and management of neonatal sepsis. Through a series of modules featuring pre-recorded video lessons and downloadable slides, learners explore: causes and mechanisms of neonatal sepsis; diagnostic strategies, including clinical signs and lab tests; antibiotic selection, dosing, and administration in neonates; monitoring treatment response and managing complications
Section 2: Working Groups & Research Paper Analysis
This section shifts to collaborative learning through workshops focused on scientific literature. Participants are introduced to the SNIP-AFRICA framework and grouped to analyse selected research papers. The workshops guide learners through literature search and paper structure; referencing and scientific critique; evaluation of research questions, methods, and findings. Live webinars support group work, culminating in a journal club session where each group presents their analysis, demonstrating their understanding of the paper’s content and clinical relevance.
Conclusion & Certification
To complete the course, participants fill out an evaluation survey. Upon successful completion of the self-assessment quiz and participation in the journal club, they receive a certificate of attendance recognising their engagement and achievement.
Learning schedule overview
The training program spans approximately five months, though participants are not expected to be engaged continuously throughout.
Phase 1 lasts around ten weeks and consists of five modules, each including a one-hour lesson with accompanying materials. Participants should plan to dedicate about 2-4 hours per module, following a recommended pace of one module every two weeks. Phase 2 is more intensive, running for eight weeks and centred on collaborative group work and guided analysis of scientific papers. During this phase, participants attend a live webinar every two weeks, focusing on key skills for critically reading and discussing research. The course concludes with a journal club presentation and an evaluation survey, after which participants receive a certificate of attendance.
More details about the schedule will be shared with the recruited students.
Eligibility
The following are the eligibility criteria for applying to participate in the training:
- Must be a staff of a partnering institution in the SNIP-AFRICA Consortium or an African scientist focused on neonatal sepsis research and/or care
- Must be either a healthcare professional (medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, allied health workers etc), or a researcher (clinical research coordinators, trial monitors and data managers, biostatisticians and data analysts, research assistants)
- Must have a minimum educational qualification of an HND or undergraduate degree in a health, biomedical, statistics, or related science field
- Must be available to participate in all sessions (Part 1 and 2) over the 20 week period for the Course
