Leishmaniasis control is the topic for EUROLEISH-NET, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie – Innovative Training Network. Leishmaniasis is a neglected infectious disease and a major public health and veterinary problem that afflicts both developing countries and Europe. The current technological and epidemiological advances underpin the necessity to develop training programmes aiming at developing new tools and strategies to control of leishmaniasis. An excellent group of academic and non-academic institutions in Europe and abroad will host 15 PhD students who will receive training in this programme. The expertise and training that will be offered ranges from parasitology to molecular science, genetics, epidemiology and strategic interventions. The 15 research projects designed encompass drug discovery, drug resistance, diagnostics and vaccine development, population genetics, vector control and integrated control programmes. The designated project supervisors have proven track records of success in research and in training. The incorporation of trainee mobility into the network, together with the commitment, strong affiliations and technology transfer between the participants provide a highly synergistic framework for success. The EUROLEISH-NET coordinators have proven experience in laboratory, field, administrative and financial management, supported by a meticulously planned series of meetings and diligent monitoring of the progression of each researcher. We anticipate an extremely productive training and research output from EUROLEISH-NET. We expect to train the next generation of leading research scientists in this field, endowed with skills that are broadly and internationally transposable.

VHFMoDRAD will develop and deliver rapid and point-of-care singel/multiplex diagnostic tool(s) that will significantly increase our capacity to handle outbreaks with Filoviruses and other viral hemorrhagic fever diseases in Africa. The overall aim of VHFMoDRAD is to carry on the outcome of the currently running EbolaMoDRAD project to the next level, which is behind of the scope of that project. The goals of VHFMoDRAD will be done via a multidisciplinary research consortium drawn from key European and African research organisations and also industry and SMEs, thus consolidating previous tools and knowledge. VHFMoDRAD will also put in place a strong capacity building programme in West Africa The project will disseminate widely all results as they become available, notably to public health bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), via a strong outreach programme. To achieve this overall aim an intensive work plan will be put in place, with the following specific objectives: - to develop rapid molecular and serological single/multiplex detection methods; - perform preclinical validation of diagnostic tools; - to validate the successful diagnosis tools under field conditions; - implement a strong capacity building programme in West Africa by a twining program; - to exploit results; - to disseminate the results to public health bodies, NGOs, outbreak management teams and local hospitals in West Africa.