Research Ethics Training in latinAMericA (RETAMA) - PROJECT SUMMARY Peru’s science, technology, and innovation system has experienced substantial growth over the past decade, particularly in biomedical research, with Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) emerging as a leading research partner for U.S. institutions in the Americas. UPCH has been a consistent collaborator on numerous high-impact NIH-funded studies, particularly in infectious diseases of emerging relevance. However, Peru’s capacity in research ethics has not kept pace with this expansion. The country has a limited number of trained research ethicists, no graduate-level degree programs in research ethics, and minimal locally generated scholarship in this field. These gaps pose challenges for maintaining alignment with the ethical, regulatory, and data security standards required for U.S.-funded research. To address this critical need, a team of leaders in research and research training from UPCH’s Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt (IMTAvH), in collaboration with experienced Peruvian social scientists and internationally recognized research ethicists from Tulane University, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and the University of Miami, propose Research Ethics Training in Latin America (RETAMA). RETAMA is designed to build and strengthen ethical research capacity within a key U.S. research partner institution, thereby ensuring that collaborative research adheres to the highest standards of research integrity, human subjects protection, and data security expected in NIH-funded work. This program will establish a high-impact, 18-month, culturally tailored master’s degree in international research ethics and integrity, incorporating practicum experiences, research training, and professional mentorship for two cohorts of 13 Peruvian fellows. By training researchers directly embedded in ongoing U.S.-Peru collaborations, RETAMA will enhance the ethical conduct and oversight of studies addressing infectious diseases that are currently both prevalent in Peru and increasingly threatening to the United States due to globalization, and population mobility. In addition, RETAMA will offer a 6–9-month certificate program targeting institutional review board (IRB) members and research leaders, strengthening ethical review systems that support U.S.-funded research in Peru. The program will also develop a comprehensive, Spanish-language online course in responsible conduct of research (RCR), expanding access to standardized RCR training across Latin America and reinforcing alignment with U.S. regulatory frameworks. By strengthening research ethics capacity within a major U.S. partner institution, RETAMA will directly support the integrity, security, and quality of NIH-funded research conducted internationally. Moreover, by strengthening the ethical rigorous studies on infectious diseases of growing importance to U.S. populations, this program will contribute to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention strategies that benefit the health of the American public. Ultimately, RETAMA advances U.S. interests by ensuring that global research collaborations are conducted to the highest ethical standards while generating knowledge critical to addressing emerging health threats.
