Strengthening the Discovery Science Ecosystem
And Catalysing Scientific Breakthroughs in Africa
Join 150–200 global scientists, researchers, clinicians, scholars, and policymakers for a high-impact virtual summit dedicated to advancing fundamental biomedical discovery, research infrastructure, and innovation pipelines across Africa.
Catalysing Scientific Breakthroughs & Discovery Science in Africa
Africa stands at a transformative moment in its scientific and innovation journey. Accelerating local capacity in drug discovery, therapeutics, and vaccine development depends heavily on developing a critical mass of researchers skilled in discovery science and fundamental biomedical research.
Convened under the INSTAL Africa (Innovation, Science and Technology for Action and Learning in Africa) initiative, this two-day virtual symposium brings together the Foresight Institute of Research and Translation (FIRAT) Rwanda, the University of Rwanda, OIC-COMSTECH, DrosAfrica, Africa CDC, and partner organizations as a premier catalyst for collaboration, training, and strategic ecosystem building.
8 Focused Sub-Themes
From model organism genetics to computational genomics & AI.
Grant & Manuscript Masterclasses
Actionable training in proposal writing and high-impact publishing.
8 Core Sub-Themes for Abstract Submission
Abstracts are invited across eight strategic tracks addressing foundational biological research, infrastructure, funding, and modern technology.
Building Discovery Science Infrastructure
Developing state-of-the-art laboratory networks, centralized equipment sharing facilities, bio-repositories, and sustainable scientific platforms across Africa.
Model Organisms in Biomedical Research
Harnessing genetically tractable model systems (such as Drosophila melanogaster) for neurobiology, disease mechanism studies, and target screening.
Capacity Development for Fundamental Research
Cultivating the next generation of African scientific leaders through structured training, mentorship networks, and early-career investigator pipelines.
Translating Discovery Science into Health Innovation
Bridging basic biological insights with therapeutic development, vaccine formulation, diagnostic innovations, and scalable healthcare technologies.
International Collaborations for Scientific Excellence
Strengthening multilateral research partnerships between African universities, global research hubs, diaspora scientists, and international bodies.
Sustainability & Funding Strategies for Discovery Science
Creating robust funding architectures, sovereign research endowments, and public-private alliances for fundamental scientific discovery in Africa.
Ethics & Policy in Fundamental Research
Establishing responsible scientific frameworks, biosecurity standards, equitable benefit-sharing, and science-informed policymaking across Africa.
Discovery Science in the Era of Genomics & AI
Leveraging high-throughput sequencing, structural bioinformatics, protein prediction models, and machine learning to accelerate African biomedical research.
Symposium Highlights & Opportunities
An intensive virtual program designed for high-impact knowledge exchange, professional skills development, and collaborative networking.
Keynote & Plenary Sessions
Visionary presentations by international pioneers in discovery science and global health.
Oral & Poster Presentations
Peer-reviewed scientific sessions showcasing groundbreaking research across all 8 tracks.
High-Impact Networking
Structured virtual breakout rooms connecting researchers with mentors, funders, and peers.
Funding & Grant-Writing Sessions
Expert-led workshops on crafting winning international grant applications and proposals.
Manuscript Development Workshops
Publishing masterclasses for early-career investigators targeting high-impact journals.
Presentation Awards & Recognition
Prizes and official certificates of merit for top student and researcher presentations.
Free Online Grant-Writing Course & Community of Practice (CoP)
In partnership with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), symposium delegates and early-to-mid career researchers (EMCRs) in discovery research are eligible to enroll in a fully funded, self-paced online grant-writing course with facilitated Community of Practice sessions. Choose your preferred monthly cohort to attend.
Who Should Attend?
Bringing together diverse leaders from across the biomedical and discovery science value chain.
Scientists & Principal Investigators
Directing fundamental research laboratories, discovering mechanisms, and leading research groups.
Researchers & Academicians
University faculty driving curriculum innovation, institutional projects, and student mentorship.
Postgraduate & PhD Students
Early-career investigators seeking presentation platforms, grant-writing masterclasses, and mentors.
Policymakers & Health Authorities
Government officials shaping national science priorities, research funding councils, and health systems.
Industry & Corporate Partners
Pharmaceutical, biotech, and diagnostics enterprises seeking translational pipelines and talent.
International Development Partners
Global funding agencies, foundations, and academic institutions fostering African research capacity.
Designed to Maximise Accessibility
Affordable registration rates configured to empower African researchers and students while facilitating global participation.
Students / Postgraduate Researchers
StudentsFor undergraduate, masters, and PhD scholars from recognized academic institutions.
- Full 2-day virtual symposium access
- Abstract submission eligibility (Oral / Poster)
- Access to all Keynote & Plenary sessions
- Free APHRC Grant-Writing Course & Community of Practice access
- Entry into Young Investigator Awards
- Official Digital Certificate of Participation
- Grant-writing & manuscript workshop entry
Academic Faculty / Researchers
Most PopularFor university lecturers, research fellows, scientists, and institutional researchers.
- Full 2-day virtual symposium access
- Oral & Poster abstract presentation slots
- Access to closed networking breakout rooms
- Free APHRC Grant-Writing Course & Community of Practice access
- Workshop & masterclass session materials
- Official Digital Certificate of Attendance
- Post-symposium proceedings & recording access
Industry / Corporate Representatives
Corporate PassFor representatives of pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and private sector leaders.
- Executive 2-day virtual symposium pass
- Access to translational innovation showcases
- Direct networking with top African researchers
- Corporate acknowledgment in digital proceedings
- Digital Certificate & full recording suite
- Invitations to future translational roundtables
💡 Fees are designed to maximise accessibility for African researchers. All passes include digital certification and workshop entry.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Mark your schedule for abstract submission, peer review notifications, and the live symposium dates.
Abstract Submission Deadline
30 SEPTEMBER 2026
Submit 250-word structured abstracts across any of the 8 focus tracks for oral or poster evaluation.
Submit your abstract online →Notification of Acceptance
OCTOBER 2026
Peer-review results sent to corresponding authors with guidelines for slide/poster preparations.
Symposium Live Broadcast
8 – 9 DECEMBER 2026
Two full days of virtual keynotes, scientific sessions, workshops, and presentation awards.
Reserve your seat →Official Flyers & Promotion Hub
Help spread the word! Enlarge and download the official circulars or share directly with your research groups on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and X.
Main Symposium Overview Flyer
Complete schedule, sub-themes, pricing & committee details
Save the Date Announcement
Two-Day Global Online Symposium circular
Local Organising Committee (LOC)
Jointly coordinated by the University of Rwanda and the Foresight Institute of Research and Translation (FIRAT).
Assoc. Prof. Abdulazeez Jimoh
University of Rwanda / FIRAT
Dr. Rasheed Adeyemo
University of Rwanda / FIRAT
Contact Information & Inquiries
Reach out to the symposium desk for registration, abstract submission support, or institutional partnership inquiries.
Join researchers and innovators from across the globe in building Africa’s discovery science future.
Register Here