The Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) is pleased to announce the selected projects under the Falcon Awards for Disease Elimination – Integration Edit, which recognise a cohort of initiatives advancing innovative, evidence-driven, and integrated approaches to eliminating infectious diseases. This edition of the Falcon Awards places a deliberate emphasis on breaking down siloes across disease programmes, strengthening the intersection of research, policy, advocacy, and implementation, and embedding elimination efforts within resilient health systems.

Selected through a highly competitive global process, the awarded projects span Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe, reflecting a shared commitment to accelerating progress toward disease elimination through collaboration, equity, and locally grounded leadership. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how integrated approaches—across diseases, sectors, and systems—can deliver greater impact, sustainability, and long-term resilience.

The selected projects are:

  1. Bridging Borders, Breaking Blindness: This project, led by Nigeria Health Watch, focuses on the elimination of onchocerciasis in Nigeria through community-led advocacy and policy engagement. The project links onchocerciasis efforts with malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and WASH programs in underserved regions. (Country focus: Nigeria)
  2. Promoting Collaboration and Learning on Integrated Disease Elimination Strategies: This project, led by the Bruyère Health Research Institute-iCHORDS, shares practical, equity-focused guidance to support multi-level integration across countries, with a focus on capacity strengthening knowledge cafés and a policy hackathon. (Country focus: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda)
  3. Increasing Domestic Investments in NTD Programs Through Advocacy and Integration Strategies: This project, led by the Task Force for Global Health/Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis with Kikundi University, supports countries to mobilize domestic funding for NTD programs amid declining external support. The project promotes integration and resource-sharing to protect elimination gains globally. (Country focus: African region)
  4. Youth and Community Health Workers for Resilient Communities: This project, led by Amplify Health and Development in Africa (AHDA), focuses on empowering youth and community health workers in Tanzania to lead integrated, climate-resilient disease elimination. The initiative strengthens local advocacy and action against malaria and NTDs. (Country focus: Tanzania)
  5. Integrated Community-Based Model for Controlling Mosquito-borne Diseases in Low-resourced Settings: This project, led by the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), focuses on implementing integrated community approaches to control malaria and dengue through shared vector interventions. The model targets overlapping mosquito-borne risks in vulnerable communities. (Country focus: Sudan)
  6. AIM4NTD: AI-Driven Multiplex Diagnostics for Integrated NTD Elimination: This project, led by Enaiblers, will introduce scalable, AI-powered diagnostics to support integrated detection of multiple NTDs. The project streamlines cross-disease workflows and strengthens health systems in resource-limited settings. (Country focus: Madagascar)
  7. Integrated LF and Malaria Surveillance with Molecular Xenomonitoring for Post-MDA Surveillance: This project, led by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research at the University of Ghana, will combine LF diagnosis with malaria testing and molecular xenomonitoring. The project strengthens post-MDA surveillance to prevent disease resurgence. (Country focus: Ghana)
  8. Mainstreaming Integrated Malaria and NTD Campaign Interventions in the Health System: This project, led by the Collaborative Research and Training Center at Arba Minch University, focuses on embedding integrated malaria and NTD interventions into routine health system operations. This approach improves efficiency, reduces costs, and supports sustainable elimination. (Country focus: South Ethiopia)
  9. Integrated Platform for Ecological Niche Modelling of Vector Borne Diseases in the Middle East: This project, led by WHO-EMRO, focuses on developing a regional platform to predict and manage vector-borne disease risks across the Middle East. The initiative supports data-driven prevention amid climate change and population movement. (Country focus: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen)
  10. Implementation of Environmental Surveillance of Polio and Enteric Viruses in North African Countries: This project, led by the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, focuses on establishing integrated environmental surveillance for polio and other eliminable viruses in North Africa, strengthening cross-border security. (Country focus: Algeria, Tunisia, Libya)
  11. Institutionalizing LF Post-Validation Surveillance through Integrated National Health Systems: This project, led by the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN), WHO-AFRO, focuses on embedding LF post-validation surveillance into national health systems. The project operationalizes WHO frameworks to sustain elimination and prevent resurgence. (Country focus: Malawi, Togo)
  12. Integrated Care Model for People with Lymphatic Filariasis and Other Disabling NTDs: This project, led by the WHO Madagascar office, focuses on delivering person-centered, integrated care for LF and skin NTDs. The model combines medical, psychosocial, and community-based support. (Country focus: Madagascar)
  13. Bridging Malaria and LF Elimination through Vector Control: This project, led by Osun State University Osogbo, focsues on integrating, malaria and LF programs through targeted vector control in urban Nigeria. The approach optimizes shared resources to accelerate progress toward elimination. (Country focus: Nigeria)
  14. Hispaniola: Post-Validation Surveillance for Lymphatic Filariasis: This project, led by The Carter Center, focuses on integrating molecular xenomonitoring and high-risk area periodic surveys to prevent reintroduction amid population displacement. (Country focus: Haiti, Dominican Republic)