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Title of project: The Mali-- NIH Partnership: A Model of Research Collaboration in Africa Nature of the organizations (e.g. non-profit, government, university, industry) involved in the project: This project involves primarily a U.S. Government organization and a Malian Academic institution. Historically, it has benefited from the engagement of various non-governmental partner organizations, including philanthropic and multilateral organizations. Government: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) University: Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odonto-Stomatology (FMPOS) at the University of Bamako, Mali The project is primarily funded by NIAID/NIH intramural and extramural program dollars. (FMPOS laboratories have received past and some current funding from several other international and U.S. agencies and organizations, as noted below). Summary of the project (including timeline, progress and future plans): One of NIAID's most successful international collaborations involves the International Center for Excellence in Research (ICER) based in Bamako, Mali. NIAID's long-standing relationship with Mali began in 1989 when NIAID and Malian scientists from the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy, the Ecole Nationale de Medicine et de Pharmacie et d'Odontostomatologie du Mali (which later became the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odonto-Stomatology (FMPOS) at the University of Bamako) began a collaborative study of the mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae) that transmit malaria. The collaboration was originally funded by the WHO (TDR)/Rockefeller Foundation partnership program with emphasis on the role of the mosquito vector in the epidemiology of malaria. To provide a stronger base for research, in 1991 NIAID joined with the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy to create the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC). The intent of the MRTC was to conduct world-class malaria research and to build Mali's research capabilities. From its inception, the MRTC received significant support from USAID programs. Beginning in 1992, USAID funds allowed the expansion of the scope of work in Mali to include studies of the genetic basis of malaria parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs. USAID funds also were used to significantly expand and improve the research laboratories and support facilities at the MRTC. Additional support was obtained from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the MacArthur, SatelLife, and Dreyfus Health Foundations. In 1996, the MRTC successfully competed for the NIAID extramural Tropical Medical Center (TMRC) award. Since 1997, new laboratories and support facilities have been added to the MRTC. These include Vaccine Development, Clinical, and Medical Entomology laboratories that conduct research collaborations in Leishmaniasis, filariasis, and malaria pathogenesis. Since 1998 NIAID has provided most of the financial support, primarily through the Institute's Division of Intramural Research with increasing Extramural Program involvement and supplemental support. In 2001 the MRTC became part of the new NIAID-funded International Center for Excellence in Research (ICER) in Mali, along with the Entomology Unit of the Faculty of Medicine of FMPOS/University of Bamako (FMPOS). The Centre of Recherche et Formation (SEREFO) was established in 2002 as part of the Mali ICER. It expands the scientific scope of the ICER to include HIV and tuberculosis research. A key component of the Mali ICER is its establishment of several highly-developed rural field sites that are locally supported and linked to community leadership. Like other ICERs being established in Uganda and India, the Mali ICER is mandated to develop and sustain research and training programs in resource-poor countries through partnerships with NIAID intramural laboratories, NIH-funded investigators, and other organizations that support biomedical research excellence in developing countries. Research conducted through the ICERs is focused on infectious diseases of local public health importance, including HIV, TB, malaria and other vector-borne and respiratory diseases. The emphasis is on basic laboratory and field research to develop new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics; translational research with engagement of local public health officials; infrastructure development (including IT); and training of successive generations of local scientists. Each ICER program meets the