Preparing an effective response to various calls for proposals: the scientific leadership of the PAC-CI Program is organizing a brainstorming workshop to identify relevant research topics.

A flexible and efficient organization or company, regardless of its industry, is characterized by its ability to offer services or products that meet the needs of the market or target populations. The PAC-CI Program, whose core mission is health research, cannot escape this managerial requirement. Indeed, one of its primary missions is to conduct research projects to aid in decision-making and improve public health.

Thus, to foster scientific activity at PAC-CI, researchers must identify relevant research topics, draft research proposals, and finally, secure funding for their implementation.

For this reason, the scientific leadership of the PAC-CI Program organized a brainstorming workshop that brought together all 19 of its researchers, including 2 who participated online. This meeting, held on August 12 and 13, 2024, in Grand-Bassam, aimed to prepare an effective response to upcoming calls for proposals.

Dr. Moh and Dr. Kouamé (left), Dr. Abo and Dr. Séry (right), during a working session

Organized into small working groups, the participants identified 18 topics, which were then evaluated, ultimately narrowing them down to three. Of the three selected topics, the first is nearly complete and ready for submission, the second is 70% complete, and the third still needs further development, as it is more complex and involves a new theme.

This workshop—which helped select relevant research topics, identify potential funders, create working groups, and produce project drafts—was a resounding success, with 100% of the objectives met and participants leaving satisfied.

In addition, recommendations were made; namely: to make this type of activity a regular occurrence (once or twice a year), to prepare the submission for the September 15 call for proposals for the finalized project, to continue work on the unfinalized projects, and to reestablish contact with health programs in order to implement certain projects.