Overview

The PROMISE Consortium welcomes institutions and individuals committed to advancing evidence-based sanitation and hygiene decision-making. Our membership structure ensures clear roles, responsibilities, and pathways for engagement while maintaining the collaborative spirit that defines our work.

Membership Categories

Founding Members are institutions that participated in the initial conception and design of the PROMISE Consortium at the Seattle convening in May 2022. These members have full governance rights and responsibilities.

Current Founding Members:

Our Founding Partners

Makerere University School of Public Health

Uganda

Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology

Uganda

Ministry of Water and Environment

Uganda

Kampala Capital City Authority

Uganda

Pan African Consortium of Experts - PACE

Senegal

Emory University Centre for Global Safe WASH

Unired States

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Unired States

ICDDRB

Bangladesh

ITN-BUET Centre

Bangladesh

African Population and Health Research Centre

Kenya

Training, Research and Networking for Development

Ghana

Zambia Institute of Environmental Health

Zambia

University of Zambia

Zambia

Full Members are institutions that join after Consortium formation and demonstrate sustained commitment to PROMISE objectives. They participate in governance, contribute to research activities, and have voting rights on strategic decisions.

Criteria

  • Alignment with PROMISE vision and values
  • Active participation in consortium activities
  • Contribution to research, capacity building, or policy engagement
  • Attendance at annual workshops and steering committee meetings
  • Good standing for minimum of one year as Affiliate Member

Rights and Responsibilities:

  • Participate in steering committee decisions
  • Vote on strategic directions and new membership applications
  • Access all consortium resources and training opportunities
  • Contribute to joint research proposals and publications
  • Host or co-host consortium workshops and events
  • Maintain ethical standards and data sharing agreements

Supporters are organizations or individuals that endorse PROMISE objectives and provide resources, expertise, or advocacy without formal research involvement.

Types

  • Funding organizations
  • Technical advisory board members
  • Policy champions and advocates
  • Implementing partners
  • Knowledge dissemination partners

Engagement:

  • Provide strategic guidance and external perspective
  • Connect PROMISE to broader networks and opportunities
  • Attend selected meetings as observers
  • Support dissemination and scale-up of consortium findings

Admission & Vetting Process

Step 1: Expression of Interest

Prospective members submit a letter of interest outlining:

  • Institution or individual background and expertise.
  • Alignment with PROMISE objectives and values.
  • Proposed contributions to the consortium.
  • Desired membership category.
Step 2: Initial Review

The PROMISE Secretariat reviews applications for completeness and basic eligibility criteria.

Step 3: Steering Committee Evaluation

The Steering Committee assesses:

  • Strategic fit with consortium priorities.
  • Capacity to contribute meaningfully.
  • Geographic or thematic balance.
  • Potential for long-term engagement.
  • Alignment with core values (equality, respect, transparency, cooperation, learning, ethics)
Step 4: Site Visit or Interview (Full Member applications)

For Full Membership applications, at least two Steering Committee members conduct a virtual or in-person visit to assess institutional capacity and commitment.

Step 5: Decision and Onboarding

For Full Membership applications, at least two Steering Committee members conduct a virtual or in-person visit to assess institutional capacity and commitment.

  • Steering Committee votes on admission (two-thirds majority required for Full Members).
  • Approved members sign the Membership Agreement outlining rights and responsibilities.
  • Onboarding includes orientation to consortium governance, tools, and communication platforms.
  • New members introduced at the next annual workshop or steering committee meeting
Timeline

Applications are reviewed quarterly. Full process typically takes 3-6 months, depending on membership category.

Member Responsibilities

All PROMISE Members commit to:

  • Actively engage in consortium activities appropriate to membership level.
  • Attend annual workshops and relevant meetings.
  • Contribute to collective decision-making processes.
  • Share knowledge, data, and resources in accordance with consortium agreements.
  • Support peer learning and South-South knowledge exchange.
  • Collaborate on joint research, proposals, and publications.
  • Maintain high standards in research and engagement activities.
  • Adhere to ethical guidelines for research with human subjects.
  • Protect data confidentiality and follow data sharing protocols.
  • Provide timely updates on institutional activities relevant to PROMISE.
  • Respond to consortium communications and requests.
  • Promote consortium work through appropriate channels.
  • Fulfill financial commitments if applicable.
  • Maintain good standing with reporting requirements.
  • Notify consortium of significant institutional changes.
  • Champion evidence-based approaches in relevant policy forums.
  • Support the dissemination of consortium findings.
  • Advocate for sustained investment in sanitation and hygiene research.

NOTE:

Membership may be suspended or terminated for failure to meet responsibilities, ethical violations, or actions inconsistent with consortium values. The Steering Committee reviews membership status annually.

How to Apply

Interested in joining PROMISE?

Contact our Secretariat:
Email: promise.consortium@mak.ac.ug
Website: www.promiseconsortium.org/membership

Submit:
• Letter of interest (2-3 pages)
• Institutional profile or CV
• Endorsement letter (for Associate Members)
• Contact information for follow-up.

We welcome inquiries from institutions and individuals committed to advancing evidence-based sanitation and hygiene for health equity.