The IVAN Postgraduate Training Program in Embedded Implementation Science stands as a premier training hub dedicated to bridging the critical gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact. Anchored in the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, the IVAN Postgraduate Training Program in Embedded Implementation Science was designed in collaboration with NISA to provide the context and infrastructure for real-world experience through the ICON-3 Practice-Based Research Network, a national network of health facilities across the six regions of Nigeria. Established to address complex healthcare delivery bottlenecks, the program was founded on the principle that effective health interventions require robust, evidence-based strategy and systematic implementation. By centring its efforts on the mechanics of health systems, the training program transforms theoretical research into actionable, sustainable frameworks designed to improve population health outcomes and strengthen frontline equity.
To advance the science and practice of health implementation research in Nigeria and across Africa by providing rigorous, context-driven doctoral training; generating evidence that transforms health policy and systems; and building a continent-wide community of implementation scientists committed to closing the gap between research discovery and equitable health impact. Through this program, trainees will learn how to:
To be the leading centre for implementation science in Africa — a place where world-class research training, genuine community partnership, and bold policy engagement converge to make proven health interventions the lived reality for every African population.
On average, it can take up to 17 years for a fraction of new scientific discoveries to be fully integrated into routine clinical practice. Implementation Research explicitly targets this systemic delay. By analyzing human behavior, organizational structures, health resource constraints, and multi-sectoral partnerships, implementation scientists design rigorous frameworks to overcome frontline bottlenecks and scale health equity.
Interconnected research streams that distinguish IVAN from generic health institutes — each grounded in the science of making evidence matter in practice.
Focus Area 01
This stream focuses on overcoming systemic barriers to deliver proven cardiovascular interventions to vulnerable populations. Researchers design and scale community - centered delivery models fo r hypertension and heart disease management. Mastering these implementation frameworks is critical to reversing the rising burden of non - communicable diseases across Africa.
Focus Area 02
This track addresses bottlenecks in cancer screening, early diagnosis, and treatment pathways in resource - constrained environments. Students investigate strategies to integrate sustainable oncology protocols into primary healthcare systems. Accelerating e vidence translation in this field is vital to reducing preventable cancer mortality.
Focus Area 03
Focused on the frontline of public health, this stream evaluates strategies to scale life - sa ving maternal and neonatal interventions. Researchers analyze healthcare delivery structures to optimize antenatal and pediatric care access. This work is essential for sustainably reducing maternal and under - five mortality rates.
Focus Area 04
This stream tackles the complexities of vaccine hesitancy, cold - chain logistics, and equitable immunization distribution. Students develop framework - driven strategies to optimize rollout protocols and maximize immunizat ion coverage. Strengthening these delivery systems is paramount to achieving robust herd immunity against preventable outbreaks.
Focus Area 05
This track targets gaps in TB case - finding, treatment ad herence, and the integration of molecular diagnostics into routine care. Researchers design context - specific interventions to improve patient retention and combat drug - resistant strains. This science is crucial to finally eradicating TB in endemic communit ies
Focus Area 06
Centered on high - burden, overlooked infections, this stream optimizes mass drug administration and community - led vector control programs. Students investigate the social and structural determinants that hinder sustained intervention uptake. Enhancing implementation efficiency here directly alleviates the socioeconomic burden on vulnerable populations.
Focus Area 07
This innovative track focuses on integrating mental health services into existing primary healthcare frameworks. Researchers test strategies to scale up psychiatric screening, counseling, and task - shifting models in communities with limited specialists. This work is vital to narrowing the massive mental health treatment gap.
Focus Area 08
This stream investigates the translation of evidence into rapid, coordinated responses for high - consequence pathogens and endemic infections. Students focus on optimizing clinical workflows, surveillance tracking, and local point - of - care diagnostics. Impr oving these implementation pathways is vital for ensuring national health security and pandemic readiness
Active PhD Candidates
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Global Partner Universities
IVAN Scholar Alumni
Countries Impacted
Health Policies Informed
Founded with the vision of transforming health outcomes through evidence-driven research, IVAN Research Institute was established to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world healthcare delivery in Nigeria and across Africa. Recognizing the need for stronger research capacity and implementation of evidence-based interventions, the Institute was created as a multidisciplinary platform that brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and communities to address pressing public health challenges. Since its inception, IVAN has grown into a leading research organization dedicated to implementation science, clinical and population health research, health systems strengthening, and research capacity development. Through strategic partnerships with universities, government agencies, healthcare institutions, and international collaborators, the Institute has developed innovative research programs that generate evidence to inform policy, improve healthcare delivery, and strengthen health systems. Today, IVAN Research Institute hosts several specialized research centers and training platforms, supporting multidisciplinary research across infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, cancer, maternal and child health, neglected tropical diseases, digital health, and implementation science. The Institute remains committed to developing the next generation of African researchers while advancing innovative solutions that improve health and promote equitable access to quality healthcare. Our journey continues with a singular mission: translating research into action to improve lives across Africa.
Experience an unparalleled doctoral journey with joint supervision from the IVAN Institute, theUniversity of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and six world - ranked global partner institutions. Our students benefit from multi - sectoral international collaborations while maintaining a deep, practical focus on solving sub - Saharan Africa\s unique public health and healthcare delivery challenges.
We transcend traditional academia by focusing strictly on implementation science. Instead of producing theoretical literature that sits on shelves, our PhD tracks train you to engineer evidence - driven strategies designed to optimize health infrastructure, bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks, and impact frontline health systems within years, not decades.
Learn from a distinguished faculty that bridges the laboratory, the clinic, and the field. Our mentors are not just published implementation researchers and molecular biologists; they are actively practicing healthcare professionals and research managers who understand the real - world operational realities of deploying health interventions in resource - constrained settings
Our curriculum is explicitly structured to prepare you for high - level leadership. While we cultivate elite academic rigor, we deliberately equip you with the capacity - building, implementation science framework, and networking skills needed to manage large - scale international research grants, advise health ministries, and direct transformative public health programs
Applications for the 2026/2027 Academic Session are now open. Deadline: August 31, 2027.