Collaborating Centers
IVI Collaborating Centers are joint partnerships between IVI and partner institutions that have expertise in vaccine research and development, field research, and capacity building. They are an integral part of IVI’s work to develop and introduce vaccines for infectious diseases of global health importance. The centers also help fulfill our commitment to building sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships in the countries where we work.
Collaborating Centers help advance IVI’s research and strategic objectives at the national, regional, and global levels while strengthening core capabilities locally and creating new opportunities for collaboration.
Role and functions
Collaborating Centers work with IVI on joint projects, such as developing research proposals and implementing scientific and technical projects. Activities may include: lab research and diagnostic testing, vaccination campaigns, clinical research and clinical trials, disease surveillance, health economics studies, capacity-building training, community engagement, health and disease prevention education, and more.
In addition to pursuing scientific work, the centers may also serve as IVI’s country-level representative to the host country government and civil society, handling routine communications and engagement. The roles and functions of each center are specified in a memorandum of understanding between IVI and the Collaborating Center.
Eligibility for designation
Formally established institutions that may be eligible for designation include parts of universities, research institutes, hospitals, or academies that currently or regularly work with IVI. Government departments, agencies, and ministries are also eligible for designation. A designation will be limited to the specific department, division, laboratory, unit, or other part that collaborates with IVI.
To be considered for designation as an IVI Collaborating Center, eligible institutions should fulfill the following criteria:
- High scientific and technical standing at national and international levels
- Prominent place in the country’s health, scientific, or educational structures
- Strong working relationship with IVI and other institutions in the country and region
- Clear ability, capacity, willingness, and readiness to contribute to IVI’s mission
- Clear scientific, technical, and geographical relevance to IVI’s work
- Reliable leadership and highly qualified personnel
Procedure for designation
When an institution expresses interest in becoming an IVI Collaborating Center, a locally engaged IVI Principal Investigator will initiate a proposal for the designation process. Proposals shall include an institutional profile, terms of reference providing a general, high-level overview of future collaboration, and a work plan providing a list of activities the Collaborating Center candidate would carry out. These proposals will be discussed and jointly developed within IVI for final review and agreement by the IVI Director General.
Should the Director General conditionally approve the partner institute as an IVI Collaborating Center, further research on the partner institute will be carried out, including a risk assessment and other analyses as deemed necessary.
Following a positive determination, IVI will enter into negotiations with the partner institution to reach an agreement on the terms and conditions of its IVI Collaborating Center designation.
The final negotiations with the partner institution will conclude with the agreement of a memorandum of understanding with specific terms and references designating the institution as an IVI Collaborating Center.
Support and resources
Designation of an institution as an IVI Collaborating Center does not confer a fiduciary responsibility on IVI or the designated institution to fund the center. Implementation of any projects arising out of the partnership may be subject to the availability of the appropriate funds, in which case the funding for the projects will be provided from both parties and/or appropriate third parties. Collaborating Centers are staffed with personnel delegated by the host institution, locally hired personnel, and IVI employees dispatched from headquarters, when required. IVI provides center staff with training and capacity-building opportunities through an IVI fellowship program and supplies equipment for the center to carry out their role when deemed necessary.
A signboard with the IVI emblem is provided to each IVI Collaborating Center as part of the designation ceremony.
Contact
If you would like more details about IVI Collaborating Centers, please contact us at iviinfo@www.ivi.int.