CONNECTED is a fixed-term project, funded by the UK government until December 2020. If the growing 1,400-plus member network is going to continue to extend its influence, renewal of the project into 2021 and beyond is vital.

The network’s members are its greatest advocates, enjoying opportunities for

• research funding
• training courses
• networking
• collaborations
• resources
• and more.

So we asked them to tell us if they think the CONNECTED Network should be renewed and, if so, why.

175 people responded, from 28 countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, D R Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guineé, India, Israel, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

You can join the renewal campaign using social media on our Twitter feed and Facebook page, using the hashtag #RenewCONNECTED

Here are their thoughts:

• CONNECTED Network should continue beyond December 2020 because its projects in the areas of training, networking, pump-prime funded research, collaborations and resources have come too far to be interrupted. I vote for renewal!

• It is providing a platform to connect and collaborate people from multidisciplinary fields to fight plant disease in Sub-Saharan Africa. This network has to continue to eradicate the vector-borne disease.

• CONNECTED networks will help us to share and gain knowledge about vector borne plant virus between scientific communities around the world. From this network, I will keep updated my knowledge on plant vector-borne diseases with CONNECTED networks. So this network is very important for me and I request for continuation beyond December 2020.

• It is helpful for the researchers.

• I am really interested in attaining training under CONNECTED in 2020.

• CONNECTED as a network motivates and equips early career researchers with quality skills in various fields of vector borne disease to meet the uphill task of solving different challenges posed to plant health.

• It gives opportunities for young and senior virologists in developing countries to meet collaborators from developed countries. The opportunity to get funding for training and research is appreciated.

• It is important that the funding for Community Network for African Vector-Borne Plant Viruses be extended beyond December 2020 considering its role in empowering Plant Virus-Vector scientists of African descent with necessary skills needed to carry out cutting edge research. Extending the life of this valuable resource will allow it to be fully permeated so its benefits in terms of human resource development, reduced crop losses and improved livelihoods can impact the populace.

• I have been awarded to several training programs and by experience, CONNECTED appears to be a trainees’ needs-oriented programme. Many people have been able to achieve their dream in filling a gap they had in their career development and a renewal to CONNECTED is a possibility for thousands of people to dream again.

• Because it gives opportunities for promising scientists from developing countries to build their capacity, network and collaborate with other experiences scientists globally, which they never dream of.

• Because of the tremendous work done in combating vector borne diseases, food and nutritional security is being enhanced in the countries where the network operates and hence the network deserves to continue beyond 2020.
• The network has helped many scientists to expand their networks/collaborations, which is essential in research work.

• It is very important that the CONNECTED virus network continues because each year we are confronted by new pathogens in agriculture; if we would ensure food security for the world, researchers need to be CONNECTED for exchanging their skills and knowledge through meetings, training courses and creation of the collaborations. We expected that this connection would be continued for many years.

• Helping me go beyond just physical observation of plants disease using symptoms to using molecular diagnostics is a great achievement.

• Bioinformatics is a viable tool in the fight against plant pathogens. Africa has just started to receive the knowledge of bioinformatics in drops. CONNECTED has done a lot in bringing the knowledge of bioinformatics to Africans; but more is required. Africans need more trainings on this topic, until the knowledge is well established among the population.

• It should continue to broaden network and promote more future collaborations. It has also been a ground for training more scientists and impacting new knowledge and skills to early career researchers as it has been doing.

• It has provided an enabling environment for young researchers. A colleague attended the V4 programme and when she got back she stepped down all that she learnt which was really impactful.

• CONNECTED Network should please continue beyond December 2020 for more members to get better opportunities, it has really been an eye opener and tentacle builder to some of us.

• The project should continue beyond December because it is really helping a lot of young scientists gain the necessary skills relevant to make them competent.

• I am of the opinion that CONNECTED Network should continue beyond December 2020 because of the range of opportunities (workshop, grants, collaboration etc) it provides for young scientists, especially in developing countries.

• CONNECTED Network is the only vector borne plant virus group I know so it is important to continue beyond December 2020. Again, since its inception they have been able to sponsor a lot of young scientists locally and internationally to be trained in plant virus detection and diagnosis though I have not benefited yet, but I know a friend who has benefited from such training. It is therefore important for it to continue beyond December 2020 to continue giving opportunities to young scientists like me and others.

• CONNECTED Network has been very helpful in training early career researchers particularly in Agriculture which has helped us to grow in knowledge, skill, and confidence.

• CONNECTED Network has brought me close to scientists with different expertise in Vectored plant health problems (viruses), availed me with precious materials/ resources, and helped me understand more on Plant-Vector-Virus Dogma.

• CONNECTED contributes a lot in terms of resources and knowledge sharing through different training opportunities especially for developing countries.

• CONNECTED Network should continue because they have made meaningful contributions in the control of vector-borne viruses of plants. They have made Agriculture better than ever by helping to identify and control plant diseases causing viruses.

• Because Connected makes connection between non-developed and developed countries and creates a research network and improve knowledge transfer.

• I’m not in Africa, but many of the plant virus diseases that occur in Africa either occur in my country or are very similar to ones that occur. CONNECTED is valuable to anyone who is interested in establishing ties with researchers in Africa, and in my case it goes both ways – I can help but I can be helped as well.

• CONNECTED should continue beyond 2020 because it plays a vital role in capacity building of scientists that are tasked with plant health.

• Improve collaboration on common problems. With the highly inter-CONNECTED world, pathogens know no boundaries. As such a collaborative approach which can be enhanced by the CONNECTED Network might easily lead to a solution.

• The CONNECTED network is building an interdisciplinary research team to act in synergy in tackling the problem of pests, which is a great threat to agriculture worldwide. It is equally building strong capacity for young scientists, across the globe thus giving a lot of hope for greater achievements in the future. The network is hereby strongly recommended for renewal for her to accomplish other innovative activities that are being packaged.

• The CONNECTED Network remains the network to beat in bringing researchers especially those from Africa together.

• We are living nearly the same challenges as scientists no matter where we are from and it is very important to have a platform where we can share our experiences and develop solutions together. This CONNECTED network makes it possible.

• I just joined the network. As a Plant Protection Officer, I have been on the lookout for platform such as CONNECTED where I can collaborate in a multi-disciplinary research to advance my professional career. A colleague who benefited from the training opportunity provided by CONNECTED is now collaborating/assisting others with their research and also training them. This is my dream one day – to network and collaborate for improved research through better application of molecular techniques.

• The link to opportunities that this network brings is very encouraging… We plead and hope that it is extended beyond 2020. Thank you.

• CONNECTED virus is the only MAJOR organization that is providing funding opportunities for those of us specializing in plant virus and virus-vector in Nigeria. I also have testimonies of friends who has benefited from the network and went for training in Europe

• It is very important to continue the CONNECTED Network because it is a platform where from we researchers are CONNECTED and get information about the opportunities and updates.

• It will continue to offer collaboration opportunities for young and senior researchers.

• CONNECTED Network is helping immensely bridge the gap between researchers. In this way talented researchers from all corners of the world are getting an opportunity to connect and undertake multidisciplinary impactful research. This is a network that needs to continue for more years to come.

• CONNECTED Network is linking virologists and entomologists … filling research gaps in virus disease epidemiology studies.

• CONNECTED is an excellent platform that offers exceptional training opportunities to early career scientists and has revolutionised the way we conduct research and training. We have benefitted from unprecedented skills transfer and expertise in dynamic fields of science and it is a frontier in science, therefore, I highly recommend its continuation.

• CONNECTED Network has been extremely helpful for providing helpful and timely information on the available networking, training and small grant opportunities to early career researchers in the developing world, mainly Africa, and it can only be fair that it continues with this vital service.

• CONNECTED has helped a number of early career researchers around the globe… A lot has been learnt and passed across via this network. I strongly believe this network should never cease from existing.

• I think CONNECTED Network should continue beyond 2020 because the world is still challenged by viruses which still influence human population negatively. The trainings, networking and sharing of information on the knowledge and experiences gained by different individuals all over the world is needed more now than the past years. I therefore feel that this platform should continue its operations in order to reduce the effects of the viruses to humans, plants, animals and even the entire globe.

• CONNECTED has created avenues for young researchers like me to garner more knowledge on understanding plant diseases (especially virus borne) and developing ways of limiting the spread of these diseases in order to ensure food security in Africa and other parts of the world. It has also helped to create opportunities for networking and collaboration between researchers to share ideas, work on projects etc, that will on the long run help to combat food insecurity and make the world a better a place.

• It is an international network gathering many scientists from different countries; thus, it provides a unique opportunity to ECR to be involved in virus-victor born disease management.

• The impact on early career scientists from DAC is huge, skills gained from various trainings are improving research work in Africa.

• Arguably the ONLY Grant/training opportunity in Plant health or Plant Virology, no wonder the meteoric acceptance within the community.

• Because it will solidify the existing relationship between developing countries and UK in regards to collaboration.

• CONNECTED is a network organized well with useful informations for the students and it makes it possible to open opportunities with the world exterior. It would be very useful that CONNECTED continues these formations in order to other people can profit from it.

• The program helps in equipping scientist with new technologies and techniques, especially the third world countries who might not have means to acquire the skills, through their various governments.

• CONNECTED network offers opportunities to have a grant. Then, it permits to French people to improve their English and to collaborate with other scientists in the world.

• Helps to advocate on food borne disease issues, which ensures food security and productivity on its best.

• I would like CONNECTED Network to continue beyond 2020 because it has been providing a wonderful platform for both young and seasoned researchers all over the world to increase their horizon and knowledge in any of their chosen fields of research in the world of life sciences.

• The platform, CONNECTED Network has impacted lives through the training opportunities being offered; not only that, collaboration has been built by bringing sound minds in contact with one another.

• In Africa, specifically my country Nigeria, scientists are faced with paucity of scientific information and limited opportunities for trainings on current evolving strategies and applications in agricultural research. Overall, CONNECTED Network provided us the needed capacity building and the opportunities to interact with “eminent scientists” who shared their skills, current and emerging knowledge in agricultural science as demonstrated during our last V4 training in June, 2019 at the University of Bristol, UK. It is on this ground that I strongly wish that CONNECTED Network will be sustained in order to consolidate further on knowledge transfer and skills acquisition for enhanced capacity building in Africa.

• I have received trainings on how to detect diseases of crops, identify the vectors transmitting the diseases and analyse the associated data. I have been equipped with new tools that will help me address farmer challenges and contribute to improvement farmers livelihoods.

• The CONNECTED offers opportunities to Network members to develop capacity in training, communication and nurture relationships with international partners that will help to build their career pathways and achieve their professional goal. That is why I think the CONNECTED Network should continue beyond 2020.

• As a young researcher from a developing country, CONNECTED gave me the unique opportunity to build my capacity in genomics in Germany. This will very positively impact my current research and my career; thus, the project should be perpetuated to give the same chance to other young researchers in Africa.

• CONNECTED Network has to continue beyond 2020 for more insight actions, as it is already, to reach larger populations in the scientist community. This renewal will induce more actions towards the reduction of vector borne plant diseases in Africa.

• The “CONNECTED” has established strong linkages across the GLOBE with basic collaborations underway and that needs to be strengthened. Through CONNECTED, a number of programmes have provided capacity around the areas of virus diagnostics, a major component in tackling vector-borne plant viruses. Pump Prime projects have laid foundations for greater collaborations and strategies to combat viruses. The strong focus on Early Career Researchers is particularly a valuable element of the programme. All this achievement will be lost in the air if CONNECTED dies at this stage. I strongly support the renewal of the programme.

• It is important for the CONNECTED Network to continue beyond 2020 because it has helped to build a sustainable Network of scientists and researchers to address the challenges of vector-borne plant viruses in Africa. It has also increased the visibility and skills of scientists and researchers in the field.

• Vector borne plant viruses still remain a challenge in a food insecure tropical Africa of 100 million people. More work needs to be done to secure their livelihoods through collaboration with UK in research and knowledge transfer.

• The number of earlier career researcher is growing day after day and CONNECTED is the best place to help them growing up in their career.

• It plays a major role in knowledge exchange and development of skilled manpower.

• CONNECTED network is a very helpful platform for early carrier researchers to give golden opportunities to make a step forwards in their carrier.

• Training opportunities have been of great assistance to researchers.

• Training, funding for research and collaboration work is the way for better life of community on our planet and I support the CONNECTED Network to continue beyond December 2020.

• There is always a need for early career researchers to foster their existing skills and get them CONNECTED to esteemed researchers of the same and related field – which in turn results in better research goal delivery. CONNECTED has been instrumental in helping researchers to achieve above stated goals. I wish there were other platforms similar to CONNECTED, if not, it is essential that CONNECTED be available every year.

• Viruses are and remain to be the most significant threat to food security and health. CONNECTED network is a forum that not only train young, aggressive scientists but also, provides a platform where noble ideas on management of these threats can be shared.

• It helps a lot in capacity building in Africa.

• It is important for the CONNECTED network to continue beyond December 2020 because it helps the young scientist to have hands on practicals, especially for African early career and to have opportunities to work in an advanced laboratory.

• I am a Professor from Assam, Eastern most state of India. Being a member of the CONNECTED network, I could be able to learn about vector borne diseases, connecting to the researchers from the world. I was able to send three of my Ph D students to train up at Newcastle University and FERA Science, UK, which is a huge gain for my lab to generate human resources. We are expecting more research collaboration and training in recent advances in the field of plant virology. I humbly suggest for continuation of CONNECTED network beyond 2020.

• CONNECTED network has been supporting early career researchers. If it continues, more young researchers will have a platform to leverage upon to grow their career.

• CONNECTED Network improved research and training of researchers in Africa and they still need this assistance hence I think it should continue beyond 2020.

• It allows technology and knowledge on plant protection to the non developed countries, it is important to make a bridge between researchers from non developed countries and researchers from developed countries to undertake food safety not as a national problem but as international problem.

• It is important for this network to extend beyond Dec. 2020 because a lot needs to be done to fight viral diseases in plants in Africa.

• This network gave me the opportunity to learn practically how to extract, purify, quantity, sequence and analyse sequence data which otherwise wouldn’t have been possible for me in my institution. I’m now confidently pursuing a PhD program because my CV was enriched with this experience gained from this network training program which I strongly believe must continue so that others like me will continue to benefit. I think together, we can achieve a lot.

• CONNECTED Network should go beyond December 2020 because it’s a saving grace for so many of us to get trained in area of our specialization especially in molecular biology with no fee. Many are yet to benefit and still hoping to do so. It also makes us more visible than ever. Hence, it shouldn’t stop because it’s really a shoulder to lean on.

• Vector borne Diseases researches and trainings have not really actualized the reduction in farm produce diseases caused by pathogens: viruses, fungi, nematodes and other. The program is yet to salvage all the African technologists.

• CONNECTED forms a crucial network of African scientists that can help to address food security directly and collaborate across the continent.

• It’s important because it provides a platform for us to gain training in research areas where we have very little knowledge especially molecular diagnostics of plant diseases and to also share knowledge with other researchers. I have not attended any CONNECTED training yet so I would be happy if the project is extended so that I can be groomed as a young scientist to be a better research scientist.

• Giving that SSA is limited in its funding abilities for young researchers like me, keeping CONNECTED continually funded gives hope to me and some others like me that we will benefit in taking part in any of its activities.

• I haven’t benefitted yet, but those who have spoken highly of how the trainings brought them up to speed on the latest trends in field molecular diagnostics of viruses and their vectors. Networking with other researchers from other countries has been most beneficial.

• Plant viruses cause nearly half of the plant diseases in the world. Plant viruses are still evolving causing a greater proportion of emerging diseases in the new encounter phenomenon. CONNECTED Network is being futuristic in training molecular plant virologists to help mitigate/control/manage plant virus diseases through modern diagnostic techniques. These will provide sufficient food and nutrition security and improve livelihoods hence it should continue to be funded beyond 2020.

• I think this project is very helpful for under developed countries in agriculture development. Because the under developed countries have not a lot of money to spend on agriculture sector. Connected trainers provide the environment for improvement agriculture.

• CONNECTED network is important in capacity building and agriculture in Africa. The training enhances the skills and knowledge of early research scientist, and pump prime funding and collaboration facilitate research activities which focus on addressing issues affecting agricultural sector which is a source of food security and livelihood to the population. Networking allows communication among network members on common issues affecting their communities and try to find a solution as a team. I highly advocate for CONNECTED network beyond 2020. Thank you for all that you have done, what you are doing and what you will do come 2020.

• CONNECTED Network is a network with a great impact on one’s individual career and profession. It provides great opportunities in term of trainings and the likes.

• CONNECTED is consortium of research and contributed a lot in training and publication on viral disease management. To continue renewal is a key option especially working with more institutions with attention to more crops than what they are working on now.

• The online resources (ppt, videos and animations) has been very important for me and my colleagues. Thank you for providing synthesized materials from the world acknowledged experts.

• CONNECTED Network has been strategic in creating a pool of research around the influence of phytopathology on production in Africa with a view to attain food security. The prevailing changing climate has warranted the need for continuous findings in order to build safe nets for curtailing the change hence, the need for CONNECTED Network to continue beyond 2020 as more ground still needs to be covered.

• CONNECTED is helping young African scientists find their bearing in this modern world in terms of skills, expertise, and knowledge. Ending CONNECTED by 2020 is akin to killing the potentials of future African problem-solvers and will reverse the gains made over the last few years!

• CONNECTED Network has been thoroughly successful in connecting researchers not only in Africa but across the globe. It gives a great platform for ECRs to learn and acquire knowledge and have a wider vision for betterment of their ongoing and future research.

• CONNECTED NETWORK is envisioned with making the world a better place through research. This network has made learning fun and interesting by bringing erudites and young researchers together to share knowledge.

• It has given opportunities to many persons I know personally to acquire more knowledge in the area of plant virology by providing training for her members and I also want to benefit from such trainings.

• For me, CONNECTED Network is a formidable platform providing relevant information on training and scholarship in the field of crop protection. It keeps me abreast of current research development and can aid in connecting with other researchers.

• CONNECTED has created a platform where farmers and plant pathologists can share ideas on viral diseases and its control.

• The CONNECTED network is building capacity of young and early career researchers who may not be naturally able to access scientific funding and opportunities available to experienced Scientists. I am a beneficiary of the training (V4) and pump-prime funding and I want the network to continue running. Furthermore, the research collaborations and networking opportunities provided by the CONNECTED network will revolutionise African agriculture in the near future.

• Should be continued because it is a network that gives opportunity to all class of researchers to strength their career knowledge for a chance to different training, workshopa in different subjects. So please help us continue our network.

• To give room for more researchers to participate in the network which will enhance their career development.

• CONNECTED network is imparting knowledge to early career researchers in Africa and beyond, that is important in combating the devastating effect of plant viruses and vectors, which are responsible for crop losses in Africa. The knowledge has been used in improving food production in different parts of the continent.

• Most of the staple crops are under increasing pressure of vector-borne plant pathogens in Africa. Climate changes have been increasing this pressure while the continent lacks well-trained specialists of the issue. By providing training, research collaborations and funding for researchers of the continent, the CONNECTED Network started tackling the root of the problem. These efforts should never be stopped until reversing the long time and negative trends into positive.

• I second the continuation of the CONNECTED network because it has managed to provide us with necessary tools when dealing with virus pathogens through short courses and workshops. Such info is never found in my country.

• I think it’s important for the CONNECTED network to continue beyond 2020 because it’s been very helpful to students and early researchers to carry out their research work at ease without any cost and as well as interaction and exposure.

• CONNECTED network is an important platform that has provided relevant technical training to scientists and technical staff in developing countries. It is important that this programme is extended to provide much- needed technical training to researchers in Africa.

• Like most mandated voices inform of unifying communities, they start from somewhere. Your funding has been that “Somewhere” for CONNECTED and the much impact it is instigating is just phenomenal.

• CONNECTED provided an excellent opportunity for researchers and scientists to network and jointly address the problem of vector-borne plant viruses in Africa. The CONNECTED network is growing, and I strongly support its renewal.

• Being a proud CONNECTED member and V4 delegate, I would say it’s a great initiative. CONNECTED gave me the opportunity that I was anxiously looking for. Novel technologies in plant science are taught that are not available in developing countries. This network must flourish so that maximum number of ECRs can see their dreams come true and can serve in a better way. I must appreciate the CONNECTED team, they are leading this network towards the best possible direction.

• CONNECTED Network has been beneficial to upcoming researchers particularly in the area of bioinformatics training. Also the third-world countries have also benefited in the area of control of diseases and improvement of the production of food.

• The network has improved on our ability to network among ourselves across the continent as we advance our scientific inquiries for a hunger-free world.

• CONNECTED Network has been a great platform that provide genuine trainings and expertise sharing. Furthermore, this platform contributed to the implementation of many research projects through pump-prime fund. Therefore, I request that it can continue beyond December 2020 in order to assist the African countries in mitigation and managements of plants virus.

• it is important that the CONNECTED network continues beyond December 2020, given the increase in demography, security will depend on the protection of plants (crops).

• This platform has been helpful to me personally in terms of the knowledge I have gained on plant viruses…. it’s been educative, creating the room for growth. CONNECTED Network has also been helpful in that it’s helped a lot of people to gain exposure to new ways of improving plant health in the natural human ecosystem.

• CONNECTED Network should be continued beyond 2020 because I look forward to receiving one of the trainings offered in science research beyond my country.

• As an outside observer it is clear to me that CONNECTED has done a superb job bringing cutting-edge science and training opportunities to areas of the world where need is greatest, yet opportunities are often at their lowest. These activities will undoubtedly improve food security across Africa.

• The network serves to allow like-minded researchers in the area of virus vector interaction, hence an opportunity for the members to work to reduce these agricultural menaces towards increased food production.

• The CONNECTED Network plays an important role in improving the skills and knowledge of researchers in African countries in terms of training and funding problem-solving research activities. In turn, this contributes to improved livelihoods of the poor African farmers/population. Therefore, I believe the CONNECTED Network has to continue beyond 2020 in order to sustain the contribution of the CONNECTED Network.

• It is because the vector-borne diseases are rapidly emerging and it is mandatory to renew the project for the wellness of people’s health and complete eradication of VBD.

• CONNECTED Network has to continue after 2020 because this network has revived and raised awareness on plant-vector viruses and its interactions by creating a whole new cohort of virologists, entomologists and pathologists to bring a comprehensive solution to tackling diseases.

• CONNECTED Network has mentored many upcoming scientists and provided an avenue of harnessing the great expertise from the experienced folks. The multi-institutional approach is great and ensures capacity building is in favour of the less privileged.

• CONNECTED undertakes interventions in meeting global food security and development through mitigating the menace of plant diseases, especially in developing countries through education and information sharing among researchers and stakeholders in agriculture. For more people to benefit from this networking, I advocate that there should be renewable of this platform beyond 2020.

• The CONNECTED network does vital work connecting between virologists and experts from the UK with young researchers and people for outside academies in developing, plant virus-inflicted countries. The resources made available for these countries through CONNECTED are invaluable and must be continued.

• Based on my view, CONNECTED network has formed a formidable group of ECRs that is currently adding values to the society. Through her activities, the network has significantly strengthened human capital development via conducted trainings, improved new and existing collaboration strength as evident from reports of the research outputs funded by the network. Therefore, I think the network donors should consider continuity in funding the CONNECTED activities to reach out to more ERCs that are eager to make a difference in society and for the less advantaged.

• One of the major setbacks of research in the Sub Saharan Africa is funding and accessibility to facilities which CONNECTED Network is providing and greater impact will be achieve in this region if this goes beyond December 2020.

• CONNECTED as network provided me with an opportunity to share experiences not only among early career researchers from all walks but also to share experiences with highly specialised and honoured scientists all over the world. Secondly, this collaborative platform has made scientific problem solving easier than it was before. Thirdly, this network has facilitated mobility among researchers where we share experiences with fellow early career researchers and we also learn from experts from different walks of life. Therefore, I strongly support the renewal of CONNECTED network beyond 2020.

• CONNECTED NETWORK has been very great at training Early Career Researchers to gain skills in proposal writing and I have been lucky to have been one of the beneficiaries of the training that took place in Uganda in May 2018. With a renewal, it would be a great opportunity to allow for more training to take place.

• I am of the opinion that it should be renewed for better sustainability in various sectors of the economy.

• CONNECTED Network should continue beyond December 2020 because it has been a source of exposure to those of us that are eager to go miles to acquire knowledge through experience and practicals in terms of plant viruses. This network should be extended also because many have benefited from their grants and fellowship training. As we move to year 2020 and beyond there will still be a need to unravel more knowledge about plant and viruses to participants to help in the complete eradication of viral diseases in our Agricultural activities for food security and higher income generation in our country.

• The capacity building opportunities offered early career researchers in sub-Saharan Africa by the CONNECTED Network is second to none. This will contribute to ensure transformational food security in the near future.

• This network has brought a new hope to early/young researchers especially for us in Africa where vector-borne viruses ravage crops. Moreover, the hope of access to technical guidance for disease surveillance in Africa has been highlighted by this network & I hope it is sustained beyond 2020.

• To me, this network should be elongated because it gives both young and adults assurance of a better future.

• The CONNECTED network provides a framework of activities empowering practitioners to learn, use and develop according to their needs. It’s a powerful model.

• Through this network, as a young career scientist from a developing country, I have had opportunity of applying for the fully sponsored training which are building, career-wise.

• One of the CONNECTED network’s key achievements is its effort to with early career researchers (ECRs). ECRs have continually been trained on various aspects including soft skills and this has brought about networking and fruitful collaborations with seasoned scientists. It will be particularly important for CONNECTED to continue beyond 2020 as this will forge new collaborations and cement existing ones with the major goal of achieving food security by tackling vector borne plant viral diseases.

• CONNECTED Network affords me the opportunity for rich collaboration with researchers of different cultural and scientific backgrounds. This type of networking and collaboration was not easily accessible to an early career scientist like myself from a developing country until I joined CONNECTED.

• CONNECTED network has in diverse ways enabled networking of members from different multi-cultural and multi-lingual backgrounds, creating a pool of scientists who have shared ideas on virus and vector control, and management mechanisms for greater Sustainable Development Goals of food security and zero hunger in Sub Saharan Africa.

• It is very important because they seem to be my teammates’ last hope to help train early career researchers in the field of plant viruses and how to identify and control them on the farm.

• CONNECTED is a good initiative to support African research and ultimately to reduce poverty but this needs to continue until the situation in Africa has been improved.

• The CONNECTED Network should continue beyond December 2020 because its activities and projects fit in and promote the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform our world into a better place to live in.

• I have heard reports of people benefiting from training organised or sponsored by CONNECTED Network. Hence, CONNECTED Network builds human capacity of Africa.

• Through CONNECTED workshops and training, I have acquired rare skills that have instilled confidence in my scientific work to a point of publishing in a high impact journal called Scientific Reports.

• This network has provided the various career-related opportunities to early research career scientists. For me, being from a developing nation, the opportunity provided through this platform helps me excel in my field and know about the technologies being developed in other nations and universities. The infographic videos created dissipate the knowledge about that particular subject as well as motivate my generation to work on those specific problems. So to continue spreading of new innovative knowledge, creating new opportunities for early career scientists; this network should be strengthened beyond December 2020.

• CONNECTED Network will help Early researchers learn in a research area and grow at speed.

• Viral disease is the biggest productivity threat to global cocoa production, and especially in West Africa. The cocoa and chocolate industry need virologists to come up with solutions, CONNECTED Network helps with this.

• Continuation is necessary because it creates more grants and useful training to its members which serve as source of eye-openers and opportunities to people.

• I wish CONNECTED Network to continue beyond 2020 because of its contribution to the development of African scientists in terms of hands on training and capacity building.

• CONNECTED Network should continue beyond December 2020 because of the vast opportunities this platform has created! Not to mention the accessibility young Agricultural enthusiasts like myself have gotten to benefit from platforms such as this! I already recommended this network to young people in my circle and we’d love to keep benefitting for a long while!

• Learning is continuous process, so our humble submission to UK Government is to extend funding and make knowledge available to everyone.

• The CONNECTED network should continue beyond December 2020 in order to continue connecting scientists and researchers around the world and giving them support and opportunity in career development in research.

• Yes, it’s very important, because it gives emphasis on vector borne virus diagnosis, which are difficult to manage. So diagnosis is the key role for the management of disease.

• CONNECTED is a platform that engages different academic & cultural backgrounds, hence leveraging enough knowledge & experience to solve human challenges of plant vector-borne disease.

• This is an organisation that has linked several researchers through her networking platforms who are now research collaborators, and through various training opportunities, many of which are funded by CONNECTED. I am convinced that the funding should be renewed beyond 2020. Thank you.

• As one of the candidates who was funded to attend a training on virus diagnostics, CONNECTED is a network that gave me an opportunity to learn and understand certain methods of disease identification for faster control measures. This is very important to food security globally, hence it is important for this network to continue beyond 2020, so as to assist farmers with control measures of diseases that affect the most important staple crops.

• The important thing I see is the knowledge shared among experts on emerging issues on behalf of the CONNECTED Network. The output of the project is visible and for developing countries it has good impact in changing the capacity of expertise.

• CONNECTED network needs to continue beyond December 2020 because it is strengthening researchers, scientists, farmers and other stakeholders in plant vector-borne diseases in terms of networking and collaborations, smart agriculture technologies, and dissemination to farmers and other clientele. Therefore, in my opinion I will CONNECTED network to continue beyond December 2020 due to the fact that its mission, vision and goals cut across all plant vector-borne diseases value chains.

• CONNECTED is vital for capacity building of Early Career Researchers. CONNECTED enhances networking of different researchers for collaborative opportunity enhancement.

• CONNECTED is the best thing ever to happen to upcoming Scientists in Africa, it has given us opportunities to be confident in the laboratory and has equipped us / me in particular with essential training in molecular diagnosis with valuable hands-on experience of modern diagnostic methods in plant pathology. Sponsored training in my country is a preserve of people in management that whenever there are calls for participants only those in senior positions go but with CONNECTED it’s based on merit and targeting young scientist to develop and promote networking.

• CONNECTED Network should be renewed because they are touching the lives of young scientists, especially in non-developed and developing countries in developing their career goals, thereby making them future leaders in their fields.

• I think that the CONNECTED Network has been a great success – it has resulted in new international collaborations and trained a large number of ECRs. Much still remains to be done to ensure global food security, and renewing the Network will help this important task.

• Plant virus detection skills are still very limited among most African Scientists and the CONNECTED team is doing a great job in bridging the gap.

• The world is a much smaller global village than you think, and international trade is the cause of disease spread in a number of crops. For this particular reason, scientific networking and sharing of information on digital platforms such as CONNECTED, where training, networking, collaboration and resources can be found, is vital to aid in combating and dealing with viruses affecting all crops.

• CONNECTED Network is a credible platform through which additional knowledge is acquired. It serves as a forum where people that matter in virus detection are met and collaborated with. Opportunities are made available for trainings but should not be limited to young scientists because with knowledge and experience of older ones, they need to update too.

• I strongly support the renewal funding of the CONNECTED Network beyond December 2020. Because it is a system with great contribution to science by creating opportunities for short term and long term training, funding for research, networking and collaborations between researchers around the globe, resources and supporting early career researchers.

• CONNECTED has built the professional development of African and UK plant virologists, with a clear focus on youth and gender.
• CONNECTED is versatile and quick in supporting demand-led research and proven to access the best of African and UK science.

• The CONNECTED network has proven to be very effective in forging new collaborations between science and practice in a field that is becoming increasingly important. Especially in view of the challenges ahead in terms of eradicating hunger and malnutrition in an era of ongoing climate change, and the associated emergence of new pests and diseases.

• CONNECTED is providing very crucial trainings that are helping researchers in many developing countries and helping improve food security.

• CONNECTED network is greatly working on the African Vector-Borne Plant Viruses. Viral diseases are the 2nd to fungi in crop devastation. Food insecurity is a great challenge in Sub Saharan Africa. So networks such as CONNECTED are very crucial for members by giving training and workshops. It will be until all viral diseases are eradicated from African Plants.

• There is a need to further human capacity development in Africa. It will bring development to science in Africa.

• CONNECTED Network should go beyond 2020 because it supports young researchers in training, collaborative research and mentorship.

• CONNECTED NETWORK has allowed many early career researchers to build their capacities in order to drive change in their plant health professions in ways that would otherwise be impossible. Food insecurity has been put more at risk because of the work by CONNECTED Network. The project is worth continuing.

• Food security issues are a major concern for our word today and the future, and plant pest and disease is a key challenge to global food production. Funding CONNECTED Network is very fundamental in equipping its members and other stakeholders to tackle this global issue together. Thank you.

• CONNECTED Network is one the strongest and most formidable platforms for raising and sustaining young researchers, especially in least developed and developing countries. This great role should be sustained by all means.

• Yes, CONNECTED should continue beyond December 2020 because they increase knowledge and build expert researchers.

• CONNECTED has provided many training opportunities for early career scientists to strengthen research in developing countries.

• The CONNECTED Network is a tremendous programme which is assisting many countries, especially resource poor countries in terms of training, prime funding, capacity building among other aspects on viral-vector management complex which is causing so much yield loss to staple foods such as cassava and other crops in Africa and beyond. As such I would like this programme to continue beyond its project timeframe.

• We still need CONNECTED network to build more capacity and do more collaborative research beyond 2020. The training and the pump prime funding is unique in bringing together researchers of like mind with similar goals.