GS LEARN

What we do

GS LEARN (Global South Leaders in Epidemic Analytics and Response Network) is a CEPI-led global initiative, in strong partnership with the Gates Foundation and Global Health EDCTP3 that aims to strengthen leadership, technical capacity, and collaboration in epidemic analytics and infectious disease modelling across institutions in the Global South. The network addresses a critical imbalance between where modelling expertise is concentrated and where epidemics most often originate and have the greatest impact, by strengthening locally led epidemic analytics and modelling capacity within Global South institutions.

GS LEARN convenes and connects a diverse community of researchers, institutions, and partners to ensure that locally grounded, context‑driven modelling informs preparedness, response, and policy. We do this by delivering high‑quality, standardized training at multiple levels; supporting mentorship, fellowships, and work‑based learning; and fostering long‑term partnerships within and across regions while strengthening institutional capability and regional modelling leadership.

Through a structured network of regional facilitators PAHO, ICMR and Africa CDC, implementing partners, and participant organizations, GS LEARN enables matchmaking between complementary expertise, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, and reduces siloed working. The network supports modelling for both endemic and emerging pathogens, including those prioritized for vaccine development, and contributes analytical outputs at national, regional, and global levels. These efforts support broader epidemic intelligence systems by strengthening the ability of institutions in the Global South to generate and interpret modelling evidence for preparedness and response.

By strengthening local expertise and South‑to‑South collaboration, GS LEARN aims to establish sustainable centres of excellence and a trusted pool of leaders equipped to support faster, more effective epidemic decision‑making during outbreaks and future pandemics.

Call for Proposals for Implementing Institutions for GS LEARN

CEPI and Gates launched a call for proposals in January 2025 seeking experts to offer different upskilling activities and mentorship to researchers and professionals in Global South institutions on epidemic and pandemic data analytics and infectious disease modelling. These experts, known as implementing institutions, will equip researchers in the Global South with the required skills to address national, regional and global health challenges, by collaborating on modelling projects, providing work-based learning opportunities and continued mentorship.

Applications to the Call for Proposals are now closed.

Updates on GS LEARN

GS LEARN Official Launch Meeting

GS LEARN, will hold its Official Launch Meeting on 22–23 September 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda. The two-day meeting will mark the formal launch of the initiative and bring together Regional Facilitators, Implementing Institutions, Participant Organisations, funders, and other partners from across the GS LEARN network. The Launch Meeting will provide an opportunity for partners to:

• formally introduce GS LEARN’s vision and strategy,
• clarify the roles and responsibilities of partners across the network,
• strengthen relationships between institutions and regions, and
• hold focused, face-to-face discussions to support effective implementation and collaboration.

The meeting represents an important transition from programme design and partner mobilisation towards collaborative delivery. It will give participants an opportunity to build a common understanding of how the network will work in practice and establish the relationships needed to strengthen epidemic analytics leadership across the Global South.

GS LEARN signs funding agreement with ICMR–NIE

On 22 June 2026 CEPI signed a funding agreement with the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR–NIE), for GS LEARN. This agreement formally establishes ICMR–NIE as one of GS LEARN’s Regional Facilitators, supporting the implementation of GS LEARN activities in line with the programme’s objectives. This is the first agreement that has been signed with a partner for the GS LEARN initiative signaling GS LEARN’s transition from design to delivery.

PAHO is GS LEARN’s Regional Facilitator for Latin America and the Caribbean

CEPI and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have signed an agreement for GS LEARN. As the Regional Facilitator for Latin America and the Caribbean, PAHO will play a key role in connecting institutions across the region, fostering collaboration, and helping embed analytics capabilities within public health systems where they can have the greatest impact. Welcoming PAHO marks another important milestone in this Global South-led initiative that strengthens preparedness, supports faster outbreak responses, and advances equitable access to epidemic intelligence and analytics expertise.

Publications

Breaking down barriers: A funder's perspective on achieving equity and inclusivity in infectious disease modelling and epidemiology | By Subramaniam S, Davis K, Mukandavire C, et al. | Epidemics 55:100913, (June) 2026

Events

International Conference on Modelling and Bioinformatics for Public Health, 8 -11 December 2025

CEPI participated in the International Conference on Modelling and Bioinformatics for Public Health at IIT Bombay, hosted by National Disease Modelling Consortium. Dr. Navneet Bichha (Global South Leaders Fellow) presented the GS-LEARN initiative to participants, highlighting its significance in developing epidemic analysis leadership within Global South institutions. He also outlined the roles of key GS-LEARN partners across different regions including: PAHO, Africa CDC, and ICMR-NIE. Dr Arminder Deol (Head of Data Science and Advanced Analysis) discussed the role of modelling in translating evidence into policy, aligned with CEPI’s 100 Days Mission and its ongoing partnership with India, to accelerate vaccine development for future pandemic threats.

See the conference presentations here: NDMConsortium | Conference