Consortium for Advanced Research Training In Africa

Details

Established

2008

Location

Africa

Website

cartafrica.org

Email

carta@aphrc.org

Mission

Focus Public And Population Health

Purpose Research Capacity Building

Access Collaborative

Structure

Format Hybrid

Review Progress Rigorous

Publication Frequency Regular

Output

Publication Model Consortium

Impact High

Signals

Fellows 284

Journals --

Publications --

Citations --

References --

Program

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) was established in 2008 to foster a dynamic African academic community that conducts world-class, multidisciplinary research with a meaningful impact on public and population health. By investing in the next generation of African scholars, CARTA aims to bridge critical gaps in research capacity and leadership across the continent.

CARTA employs a strategic and holistic approach to rebuilding and strengthening the capacity of African researchers and universities. Through innovative training, mentorship, and institutional support, it equips scholars with the skills and resources needed to produce high-quality research, influence policy, and drive sustainable development.

This collaborative initiative enhances African universities' ability to cultivate supportive research environments by enabling junior faculty members to pursue their doctoral training locally while gaining international exposure. By fostering a network of skilled researchers and leaders, CARTA contributes to the long-term transformation of higher education and research in Africa.

CARTA comprises eight African partner universities, four research institutions, and eight non-African partner institutions. It is co-led by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) in Kenya and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa. Through its commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation, CARTA continues to shape the future of research and scholarship in Africa.

Network

CARTA collaborates with institutions across Africa and beyond to strengthen research capacity and foster world-class scholarship. African partner universities, such as Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and the University of Nairobi, provide doctoral training and research capacity-building opportunities.

African research institutions, like the African Population and Health Research Center, offer research capacity-building and mentorship. Non-African partners, including universities in Norway, Sweden, and the UK, facilitate research training, international opportunities, and collaboration.

Together, these institutions drive CARTA's mission to build a vibrant African academy leading world-class research in public and population health.

Latest publications

Most recent scholarly works and contributions.

Loading publications…

Program Impact

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) has had a significant impact on graduates, authors, and partner institutions across the continent. By investing in doctoral training, mentorship, and institutional support in public and population health, the program strengthens research leadership and builds a vibrant African academic community. With a large and growing network of scholars and a substantial body of scholarly output, its influence is evident at individual, institutional, and regional levels. Here are some key impacts and trends observed:

Capacity Building: Authors gain rigorous doctoral training, mentorship, and multidisciplinary exposure that enhance their research design, analytical, and leadership skills, which they transfer back to their home universities and research centers.
Networking and Collaboration: The consortium model fosters sustained cross-institutional and cross-border collaboration among African and international partners, leading to joint research projects, co-authored publications, and enduring professional networks.
Increased Research Output: Graduates contribute to a substantial and growing body of peer-reviewed publications and widely cited research, strengthening the visibility and credibility of African scholarship in public and population health.
Career Advancement: Many authors progress into senior academic, research, and leadership roles, shaping research agendas, supervising new doctoral candidates, and influencing national and regional health priorities.
Institutional Strengthening: Partner universities benefit from improved doctoral programs, enhanced supervisory capacity, stronger research cultures, and increased global engagement, reinforcing their roles as hubs of high-quality scholarship.

Trends Before, During, and After the Program:

Before: Many institutions face constraints in doctoral supervision capacity, limited research infrastructure, and restricted access to international research networks, affecting the scale and quality of research output.
During: Structured training seminars, intensive mentorship, research funding support, and collaborative opportunities lead to immediate improvements in methodological rigor, publication rates, and interdisciplinary engagement.
After: Alumni remain active researchers and mentors, sustain collaborations across countries, contribute to policy discussions, and help institutionalize stronger research practices within their home organizations.

Overall, CARTA demonstrates lasting benefits for individual scholars and the broader research ecosystem in Africa. Its collaborative model, sustained partnerships, and strong record of scholarly contribution position it as a transformative force in advancing research capacity, leadership, and policy-relevant scholarship in public and population health.