It is critical to have local researchers who will generate evidence based solutions that are culturally and locally relevant, assisting communities in resource-limited locales in South Africa and specifically in KZN. The DRILL training programme is specifically designed to be locally relevant but globally competitive and have an impact beyond the fellows and UKZN.

South Africa is faced with multiple burdens of disease (communicable and non-communicable (NCDs); maternal, neonatal and child deaths and deaths linked to violence and injuries.

The DRILL programme seeks to capacitate local researchers with the skill set required to address some of these challenges together with the people of South Africa.