Sponsorship for the GRAPH online training course is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation in support of Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention. In 2026, 40 participants will be trained across three online programmes. Each programme runs for 12 weeks and includes live weekly workshops, hands-on exercises, and mentorship.
Data Sciences play an increasing role in epidemiology, disease surveillance, and preparedness for and response to an outbreak, regardless of its origin. They provide tools and methods to collect, curate, visualize, analyze, model, and report on outbreak data. Disease outbreak analytics are vital for each stage of the response continuum, from detection and initial response to intervention and postintervention, focusing on lessons learned and capacity building. Data science and outbreak analytics are also relevant to understanding molecular epidemiology, phylogenetics, case delays, epicures, paired delays, contact visualization, mapping, and transmission tree reconstruction.
Objectives and Learning Outcomes:
Gain competence in R or Python programming for the analysis of health data
Target Audience:
Early/mid-career scientists and students in the field of or with interest in human or animal health (virology, microbiology, public health, related biological sciences) and computer science
Eligibility criteria:
- Early/mid-career scientists and students in the field of or with interest in human or animal health (virology, microbiology, public health, related biological sciences) and computer science Technical Skills & Experience:
- No prior knowledge of R or Python programming language is required.
- Female applicants are encouraged to apply
- Former fellows of the BWC Youth for Biosecurity Initiative are encouraged to apply
- Only applicants from countries listed in the DAC list of ODA recipients will be considered.
Language:
English and French
Training dates and course information:
12 weeks with live weekly workshops, hands-on exercises, and mentorship.
- Intro to R for Health Data Analysis (English)
· Target: 15 participants
· Dates: May 10 – July 28, 2026
· Weekly Workshops: Tuesdays 3pm - 5pm GMT or Sundays 3pm - 5pm GMT
· Help Sessions (optional): Mondays 1pm - 3pm GMT, Thursdays 3pm - 5pm GMT - Intro to R for Health Data Analysis (French)
· Target: 15 participants
· Dates: May 10 – July 28, 2026
· Weekly Workshops: Wednesdays 5pm - 7pm GMT
· Help Sessions (optional): Mondays 1pm - 3pm GMT, Thursdays 3pm - 5pm GMT - Intro to Python for Health Data Science (English)
· Target: 10 participants
· Dates: May 9 – July 27, 2026
· Weekly Workshops: Mondays 3pm - 5pm GMT or Saturdays 3pm - 5pm GMT
· Help Sessions (optional): Mondays 1pm - 3pm GMT, Thursdays 3pm - 5pm GMT
Expected time commitment:
Live weekly session 2-4 hours/week
Self-paced: 8 hours/week
How to apply:
Register in Disarmament education and attach the following document:
- A letter of recommendation from your institution confirming institutional support for your application and explaining how the training will benefit the institution.
- States Parties are requested to inform the BWC ISU, by means of a note verbale, of their endorsed nominee(s) for the Fellowship.
Deadline for Registration:
15 March 2026
