Crick Africa Network

The Crick Africa Network (CAN), currently funded by LifeArc, is an equitable programme that aims to increase research capacity to tackle health problems on the African continent. 

We are creating a network of accomplished biomedical scientists within Africa who will improve the health and welfare of the people of Africa and beyond.

Career acceleration fellowships

Career acceleration fellows are ambitious early-career African scientists who, over the course of the award, will be equipped with the scientific and soft skills that will enable them to make the transition to become an independent Principal Investigator or Group Leader on the African continent.

Career acceleration fellowships last four years, during which fellows establish their research programme, set up their lab, hire PhD students, partake in annual meetings and workshops and spend some time at the Crick in London. Fellows spend up to 50% of their time in the UK with the remainder being spent at one or more of the consortium partner institutes. 

Their visits to the UK may be for a few weeks at a time, or longer depending on the individual and the requirements of their research. 

How they work

The African partner institutes review applications and select candidates for interview, shortlist the candidates and then find ways to give the successful candidates positions at their institutes (finding the right department and embedding the fellow in the institute).

The Crick screens for initial eligibility and helps to obtain references.

Technology development fellowships 

Technology development fellowships support African scientists in managing and developing science and technology platforms.

These fellowships last one year, during which fellows receive world-class training in their technology platform at their institute and spend time at the Crick in London, where specialist scientists will deliver in-depth training and mentorship. This can include anything from becoming experts in the instruments with which they work, or improving how they work alongside researchers to support research projects.

The length of the training at the Crick will be determined by a needs assessment undertaken by the Crick Science Technology Platform, in collaboration with the fellow’s institute.

Technology development fellows may have multiple visits to the Crick, depending on training requirements, and visits are often a few weeks' at a time. These fellowships will produce a cohort of scientists that support the strengthening of science and technology platforms. 

How they work

Partners select candidates as these fellowships build capacity in their institutes.

This fellowship produces a cadre of trained internationally and locally-networked future research scientists of international standing, who have led their own research programme, developed supervision skills and are highly competitive for future fellowships or permanent positions.

Annual meetings

Each partner works with the Crick to host an annual meeting. 

Steering committee

Key members of the partner institutes are part of the CAN steering committee and are instrumental in making decisions that impact the entire programme.

Scientific advisory board

Esteemed scientists from the African continent make up the CAN advisory board. The board members have extensive knowledge of the context and landscape of the African research environment, providing guidance and critical insight that shape the direction and impact of the programme.