Scientific Research track
Young researchers producing evidence — epidemiological, clinical, operational — to guide mental health policy.
What the track covers
This track is for young researchers producing evidence on mental health in Africa: epidemiological studies, clinical trials, operational research on service integration, evaluations of primary care interventions.
Two finalist places are reserved for this track. Assessment weighs methodological rigor, ethics compliance, and the capacity of the results to inform a public policy decision.
Who this track is for
PhD candidates whose work concerns mental health or its integration into primary care.
Young researchers attached to a university, research centre or care facility.
Teams running operational research alongside health system actors.
Official scoring grid
Six criteria, applied the same way to both tracks.
| Criterion | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Disruptivity / Rigor | Methodological rigor, protocol, data validity |
| Mental health impact | Value of the evidence for public policy |
| Viability / Applicability | Potential to translate results into clinical practice |
| Team and expertise | Institutional anchoring, academic rigor |
| Pitch quality | Ability to popularize complex scientific data |
| Ethics and sustainability | Bioethics committee compliance, integrity |