This proposal addresses a critical career gap in MRC’s leadership and partnership strategy for global health research. The Programme aims to strengthen the pipeline of researchers from the West Africa region and the UK/EU with the potential to become leaders of global health research. It focuses on the critical career gap at the immediate/early postdoctoral level. Fellows appointed will enhance the excellence of The Gambia Unit and LSHTM research, leadership capacity in the region, MRC’s global health strategy and UK capacity for leadership and partnership in global health research. The fellowship targets recently-qualified doctoral graduates of outstanding ability, motivated to tackle important and challenging research questions by training and working in the West African region. The fellowship programme will enable these individuals to move towards research independence and eventual leadership by deploying the complementary research, training, mentoring and networking capabilities of MRC and LSHTM Working together, ensures that Fellows are appointed and managed to the highest standards, and that they have exceptional opportunities for research and training that is both excellent and relevant.