The battle against fatal infectious diseases is a great challenge to research – and it is one of the projects of the Africa Initiative of the German Research Foundation (DFG). As part of the initiative, 25 teams of African and German scientists are examining so-called “neglected diseases”, which, for economic reasons, are less well researched and often exacerbated by poverty. The aim of the project is to develop new forms of medical treatment for these diseases. The DFG is supporting the Africa Initiative to the tune of 20 million euros. These funds are also being used to consolidate scientific infrastructure and strengthen academic conditions. The collaborative projects with 16 African countries are scheduled to last up to eight years. In addition to improving networking between established researchers, young up-and-coming African scientists will be supported to give them a long-term perspective in their home countries.////
