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
As GS LEARN grows Implementing Institutions and other relevant information will be shared here.
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.
What we do
