The overall goal of the SSI is to promote interaction and research collaboration between investigators in DECs in the application of scientific and technological advances to the tropical diseases in the TDR portfolio.

The specific objectives of the SSI are to:

• Assist the development of collaborative research and training proposals to enhance competitiveness of applications for funding by TDR and/or other funding agencies.
• Promote training and capacity building in cutting-edge technologies.
• Enhance the development of common protocols and the sharing of reagents and information.
• Establish a network of research groups and institutions in DECs.