Advanced Search
NIAID Home Health & Science Research Funding Research News & Events Labs at NIAID About NIAID

NIAID Research Funding

NIAID Funding News
Opportunities and Announcements
Paylines and Funding
Grants
Application
Peer Review
Grant Award and Management
Early-Stage and New Investigators
Training and Career
R01 Investigator Resources
International Awards
Small Business Awards
Other Grant Types

Animals in Research

Human Subjects
Biodefense and Biosecurity
Contracts
Standard Operating Procedures
Questions and Answers
Advisory Council
Glossary of Funding and Policy Terms
Find It! A-Z
Latest Updates

About the Mali Service Center

Table of Contents

Background

The creation of the Mali Service Center (MSC) was a joint activity between NIAID's Mali Project team, spearheaded by former NIAID Deputy Director, the late John LaMontagne, and Malian representatives from the University of Bamako and the University's School of Medicine, FMPOS.

The idea was to create an independent establishment that would further scientific collaborations in Mali by establishing an administrative and financial infrastructure in Mali capable of building and supporting a sustainable research.

Creation of the MSC.

Signing the MSC into being.
At the table from left to right:
John LaMontagne, former NIAID Deputy Director; Ginette Siby, Rector, University of Bamako; and Professor Moussa Traore, Dean, FMPOS

The MSC became operational in December 2004. As of May 2006, it has five contractors on staff: the Center's director, a chief accountant, a financial advisor, a driver, and a security guard.

Although it is currently being managed by a NIAID contractor, the plan is to eventually transition control of the MSC to the Malians.

Functions of the Mali Service Center

  • Manage NIAID funds in an accountable manner
  • Follow efficient and uniformly applied systems, procedures, and protocols
  • Banking and fund management
  • Accounting and inventory management
  • Human resources information management
  • Provide payroll processing
  • Provide timely and accurate reports to funders and Malian authorities
  • Ensure regular audit of books and records
  • Respond to an Advisory Committee
  • Work with the NIAID Mali Office

Location

The service center is located in Bamako the capital of Mali, in West Africa. Mali is surrounded by seven countries: Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania.

Map of Africa highlighting Mali's location.

About Mali

  • Official name: The Republic of Mali
  • Population: 10,441,300 (as of June 2003)
  • Languages: French (official), Bambara
  • Currency: CFA Francs
Mali flag.

NIAID in Mali

NIAID is an active presence in Mali, funding many research projects in the fields of malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

For more information, read the NIAID Global Health Research Plan for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.

MSC photo.

Grantsmanship workshop.

NIAID Grantsmanship Workshop, October 2005.
From left to right: Mary Kirker, Program Director (GMP, DEA, NIAID); Paula Strickland, Director of the Office of International Extramural Activities (DEA, NIAID), Professor Boubacar Cisse, Ministry of Health Advisor on Research Matters; and Ginette Siby, Rector, University of Bamako

Did you know...

  • That Timbuktu, the legendary center of wealth, learning, and culture, is located in Mali?
  • That Mali is the largest country in West Africa (land mass not population)?
  • That the Mandinka Empire of Mali extended over almost all of West Africa and controlled virtually all of the lucrative trans-Saharan gold trade in the 14th century?
  • That the Niger River passes through Mali?

Visit the main Mali Service Center page on the NIAID International Awards Web site.

Look It Up

See the Glossary for terms.