8th ISRV School of Respiratory Viruses

Preparing Africa for the Next Generation of Respiratory Virus Threats

The International Society for Respiratory Viruses (ISRV) is delighted to bring its flagship five-day School of Respiratory Viruses to Africa for the first time.

Hosted at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, the 8th ISRV School of Respiratory Viruses will bring together early-career researchers and professionals from across Africa and internationally for five days of intensive learning, scientific exchange, practical and interactive sessions, professional development and networking.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with leading respiratory virus experts from Africa and around the world, while building connections with a diverse international cohort working across respiratory virus research, surveillance, clinical practice and public health.

What will the School cover?

With the theme Preparing Africa for the Next Generation of Respiratory Virus Threats, the programme will combine global expertise with African perspectives, priorities and experience.

Topics are expected to include:

respiratory virus epidemiology and global disease burden;
surveillance, early warning and outbreak response;
laboratory systems, diagnostics and One Health;
vaccines, immunisation and implementation;
clinical and public health approaches to respiratory viruses;
digital health, data and innovation;
policy and evidence-informed decision making;
pandemic and epidemic preparedness; and
career and professional development.

The five-day programme will combine scientific lectures with interactive sessions, practical activities, group work, case studies and networking opportunities, creating an environment where participants can learn not only from faculty, but also from one another.

A detailed programme and faculty will be announced in due course.

Who is the School for?

The School is designed primarily for early-career researchers and professionals working in respiratory viruses and related fields, including PhD and doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, clinicians, laboratory professionals, epidemiologists, public health professionals and others working in relevant disciplines.

Final-year Master’s students whose studies are relevant to the School are also welcome to apply.

We particularly encourage applications from early-career researchers and professionals based across Africa, while applications from other regions are also welcome.

More than five days in Accra

Our aim is for participation in an ISRV School to be the beginning of an ongoing connection with the international respiratory virus community.

All participants attending the School will receive two years’ complimentary ISRV membership. Existing ISRV members will receive a two-year complimentary extension to their current membership.

Membership provides opportunities to stay connected with ISRV and its international community beyond the School, including access to member resources, educational opportunities and activities supporting early-career researchers and professionals.

Registration and financial support

Both residential and non-residential registration options are available, with Standard and Reduced registration rates to support equitable access to the School.

Thanks to funding supporting the ISRV Education Programme, financial support is also available for a limited number of participants who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Support is flexible and will be considered according to individual circumstances. This may include support towards registration and accommodation, full or partial travel costs and/or other eligible costs associated with attending the School.

Applicants requesting support will be asked to tell us what assistance they genuinely need and whether they, their institution, employer or another organisation can contribute towards the costs of attending.

Expressions of Interest – opening soon!

Places at the 8th ISRV School of Respiratory Viruses are limited and will be allocated through a competitive Expression of Interest and Scholarship Application process.

Applications will open at 00:00am GMT on Monday 12 October 2026.

Applications close at 23:59 GMT on Monday 30 November 2026.

The application includes an optional opportunity to submit a research abstract. Applicants who submit an abstract and are subsequently selected to attend will be asked to prepare a poster based on their submitted abstract for display and presentation during the School.