Empower

Building sustainable capacity and supporting vaccine self-reliance are core to IVI’s mission. Our programs strengthen capabilities in low- and middle-income countries to conduct vaccine research, develop and manufacture vaccines and other biologics, manage clinical trials, navigate regulatory pathways, and generate evidence for vaccine policy.

As of 2025, IVI had trained more than 9,290 professionals in person and online.

International Vaccinology Course

IVI’s International Vaccinology Course is our flagship five-day program that builds capacity in vaccinology for vaccine professionals from around the world. World-renowned experts from fields such as vaccinology, immunology, infectious disease epidemiology, policy, and vaccine access participate as faculty members.

Since its launch, the International Vaccinology Course has trained more than 5,210 professionals through programs in Seoul, Stockholm, and Kigali. In 2025, the 24th annual course convened 277 participants from 43 countries across the three sites.

IVI's 21st International Vaccinology Course kicks off from two locations: IVI HQ in Seoul and the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. Credit: IVI

Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing program

The Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B) was established in 2022 to address global inequities in biomanufacturing capacity. The World Health Organization and the Government of the Republic of Korea designated IVI as the lead implementing institution.

IVI provides workforce training in vaccine and biologics research, development, and manufacturing for professionals from low- and middle-income countries. Programs include the Introductory Course in Biologics Development and Manufacturing, the Introductory Course for Standard Practices (GxP), hands-on training, on-site consultation and training, and an online training repository available in multiple languages

Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing participants at the Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Manufacturing in 2023. Credit: IVI

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency–IVI EPIC Fellowship

Through the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency–IVI EPIC Fellowship, fellows gain practical field experience while contributing to the implementation and evaluation of projects addressing infectious diseases of public health importance.

Some of IVI’s past capacity-building programs have included:

  • North Korea Program: We refurbished North Korea’s main reference laboratory at the Academy of Medical Sciences in Pyongyang and trained scientists in lab diagnostics for Japanese encephalitis and Hib as part of efforts to introduce Japanese encephalitis and Hib vaccines in North Korea.
  • Establishment of an immune monitoring lab in India: With India’s National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases and support from the Swedish government, we established a lab in Kolkata for vaccine evaluation studies. The lab, recognized by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, also served as a training ground for Indian scientists in Good Clinical Laboratory Practice.
  • European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership-Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases Clinical Research and Development Fellowship Program: As a participating partner of this program, we assisted researchers and essential members of clinical trial teams from low- and middle-income countries in gaining specialized skills in clinical research and development through placements in pharmaceutical companies, product development partnerships, and research institutions.